SENATE RESOLUTION No. 1706
A RESOLUTION urging the President of the United States to honor the last surviving World War II Medal of
Honor recipient with a designated state funeral.
WHEREAS, World War II began in 1939 and ended in 1945; and
WHEREAS, Over 16 million Americans served their country alongside the Allied powers over the
course of the war; and
WHEREAS, The men and women who served our country in World War II have been called the
"greatest generation" for their selfless sacrifice; and
WHEREAS, The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States
government; and
WHEREAS, The Medal of Honor is only conferred upon members of the United States Armed
Forces who distinguish themselves through conspicuous gallantry at the risk of life above and beyond the
call of duty while engaged in action against an enemy of the United States; and
WHEREAS, More than 3,400 Medals of Honor have been awarded to our nation's bravest
soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines and coast guardsmen since the creation of the award in 1861; and
WHEREAS, The Medal of Honor was awarded to 353 Americans during World War II; and
WHEREAS, Only two of these 353 Americans are alive today; and
WHEREAS, These courageous servicemen, Charles H. Coolidge of Tennessee and Hershel
Woodrow Williams of West Virginia, risked their lives while serving their country with gallantry and
therefore, deserve the gratitude of the American people; and
WHEREAS, The President of the United States presents the Medal of Honor in the name of
Congress; and
WHEREAS, The President of the United States has the sole authority to designate a state funeral;
and
WHEREAS, Historically, the President of the United States has designated state funerals for
former presidents, generals and other extraordinary Americans; and
WHEREAS, Our nation is currently divided and longs for a unifying national event; and
WHEREAS, Designating a state funeral upon the passing of the last surviving World War II
Medal of Honor recipient would be a fitting way for the American people to unite and to honor all of the
16 million soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines and coast guardsmen who served in our Armed Forces from
1941 to 1945: Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate of the State of Kansas: That we urge the President of the United States
to honor the last surviving World War II Medal of Honor recipient with a designated state funeral; and
Be it further resolved: That the Secretary of the Senate shall send two enrolled copies of this
resolution to Senator Alley.
Senate Resolution No. 1706 was sponsored by Senators Alley, Baumgardner, Billinger, Bowers, Claeys,
Corson, Dietrich, Doll, Erickson, Estes, Fagg, Faust-Goudeau, Francisco, Gossage, Haley, Hawk,
Hilderbrand, Holland, Holscher, Kerschen, Kloos, Longbine, Masterson, McGinn, Olson, O'Shea, Peck,
Petersen, Pettey, Pittman, Pyle, Steffen, Straub, Suellentrop, Sykes, Thompson, Tyson, Ware, Warren and
Wilborn.

I hereby certify that the above RESOLUTION originated in the SENATE, and was adopted by that body
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President of the Senate.
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Secretary of the Senate.