67th Legislature HJ 21.1
1 HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 21
2 INTRODUCED BY L. BISHOP, D. BEDEY, S. BERGLEE, M. BERTOGLIO, G. FRAZER, J. FULLER, F.
3 GARNER, S. KERNS, F. SMITH, B. USHER, M. WEATHERWAX
4
5 A JOINT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF
6 MONTANA URGING THE DESIGNATION OF A STATE FUNERAL FOR THE LAST SURVIVING WORLD
7 WAR II MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENT.
8
9 WHEREAS, World War II, the most widespread war in history, lasted from 1939 until 1945; and
10 WHEREAS, the United States entered the war in 1941, following an attack on Pearl Harbor by
11 Japanese fighter planes; and
12 WHEREAS, over 16 million Americans served their country and the Allied powers over the course of
13 the war; and
14 WHEREAS, the generation of men and women who served our country in World War II has been called
15 the "greatest generation" for their selfless sacrifice; and
16 WHEREAS, the Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration that is awarded by the United States
17 government; and
18 WHEREAS, the Medal of Honor is presented by the President of the United States, in the name of the
19 United States Congress; and
20 WHEREAS, the Medal of Honor is only conferred on members of the United States Armed Forces who
21 distinguish themselves through conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call
22 of duty while engaged in action against an enemy of the United States, while engaged in military operations
23 involving conflict with an opposing foreign force, or while serving with friendly forces engaged in an armed
24 conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party; and
25 WHEREAS, more than 3,400 Medals of Honor have been awarded to our nation's bravest soldiers,
26 sailors, airmen, marines, and coast guardsmen since the creation of the award in 1861; and
27 WHEREAS, the Medal of Honor was awarded to 353 Americans during World War II; and
28 WHEREAS, only four of those 353 Americans are alive today; and
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67th Legislature HJ 21.1
1 WHEREAS, Charles H. Coolidge of Tennessee, Francis S. Currey of New York, Robert D. Maxwell of
2 Oregon, and Hershel Woodrow Williams of West Virginia all served their country with conspicuous gallantry and
3 intrepidity at the risk of life and therefore deserve the gratitude of the American people; and
4 WHEREAS, the President of the United States has the sole authority to designate a state funeral; and
5 WHEREAS, historically, the President of the United States has designated state funerals for former
6 presidents, generals, and other extraordinary Americans; and
7 WHEREAS, our nation is currently divided and yearns for a unifying national event; and
8 WHEREAS, designating a state funeral when the last surviving World War II Medal of Honor recipient
9 dies would be a wonderful way for the American people to unite and honor all 16 million soldiers, sailors,
10 airmen, marines, and coast guardsmen who served in the United States Armed Forces from 1941 to 1945.
11
12 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF
13 THE STATE OF MONTANA:
14 (1) That the President of the United States be urged to designate a state funeral for the last surviving
15 World War II Medal of Honor recipient.
16 (2) That the Secretary of State send a copy of this resolution to the President of the United States, the
17 Majority Leader of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and
18 to each member of the Montana Congressional Delegation with the request that this resolution be officially
19 entered into the congressional record.
20 - END -
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