TITLE: Commemorating the 69th anniversary of the Bataan Death March.

SUMMARY: Commemorating the 69th anniversary of the Bataan Death March.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, Members of the Texas Maritime Regiment of the Texas State Guard are marching from Camp Mabry to the State Capitol on April 9, 2011, to commemorate the 69th anniversary of the Bataan Death March; and WHEREAS, In December 1941, hours after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the Japanese attacked United States military bases in the Philippines; ground forces invaded two weeks later and drove American and Filipino troops from Manila to the Bataan Peninsula, where they fought desperately in the mountainous jungles; cut off from supply lines, the Americans and Filipinos ran out of food and ammunition, and their ranks were decimated by hunger and disease; and WHEREAS, U.S. General Edward King surrendered Bataan on April 9, 1942; the next day, some 76,000 Americans and Filipinos were forced to begin marching to a prisoner-of-war camp more than 60 miles away, under the broiling sun with little food and almost no water; soldiers who paused or fell were summarily executed, along with anyone who tried to help them; as many as 11,000 died en route from thirst, starvation, disease, and brutality; eventually, American prisoners of war were transported to slave labor camps in Asia or interned in the camp at Cabanatuan, where 500 who survived were finally liberated three years later by an elite Ranger battalion and the Philippine resistance; and WHEREAS, Citizens of this nation owe an immeasurable debt to the soldiers who fought against overwhelming odds in Bataan, and the courage, patriotism, and resolve they demonstrated under the most extreme deprivation and hardship remain a lasting source of inspiration; it is indeed fitting to pay tribute to those who perished and those who survived the brutal march and suffered further trials as prisoners of war; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas Legislature hereby commemorate the 69th anniversary of the Bataan Death March and honor the profound sacrifice of the valiant soldiers who risked all out of love for their country and dedication to our freedom. Flynn Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 1176 was adopted by the House on April 7, 2011, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House