2
3
4
5
6
7 Cosponsors:
8 Patrice M. Arent
9 Stewart E. Barlow
10 Walt Brooks
11 Scott H. Chew
12 Susan Duckworth
13 Jon Hawkins
Eric K. Hutchings
Calvin R. Musselman
Lee B. Perry
Val L. Peterson
Candice B. Pierucci
Tim Quinn
Paul Ray
Douglas V. Sagers
Travis M. Seegmiller
Rex P. Shipp
Jeffrey D. Stenquist
Keven J. Stratton
14
15 LONG TITLE
16 General Description:
17 This concurrent resolution urges the President of the United States to designate a state
18 funeral for the last surviving Medal of Honor recipient from World War II.
19 Highlighted Provisions:
20 This resolution:
21 ▸ provides an overview of the significant service provided by American soldiers in
22 World War II;
23 ▸ recognizes the unique esteem of those who received the Medal of Honor for their
24 service in World War II; and
25 ▸ urges the President of the United States to designate a state funeral for the last
26 surviving Medal of Honor recipient from World War II.
27 Special Clauses:
28 None
29
30 Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah, the Governor concurring therein:
31 WHEREAS, World War II, the most widespread war in history, lasted from 1939 until
32 1945;
33 WHEREAS, the United States entered the war on December 7, 1941, and proved
34 indispensable to the Allies in winning the war;
35 WHEREAS, over 16 million Americans served their country and the Allied powers
36 over the course of the war;
37 WHEREAS, the generation of men and women who served our country in World War
38 II has been called "the greatest generation" for their selfless sacrifice in the face of global
39 tyranny;
40 WHEREAS, the Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the
41 United States government;
42 WHEREAS, the Medal of Honor is presented by the President of the United States, in
43 the name of Congress;
44 WHEREAS, the Medal of Honor is only conferred upon members of the United States
45 Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the
46 risk of their own lives above and beyond the call of duty while engaged in military operations
47 involving conflict with an opposing foreign force;
48 WHEREAS, more than 3,400 Medals of Honor have been awarded to our nation's
49 bravest soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines, and coast guardsmen since the creation of the award
50 in 1861;
51 WHEREAS, the Medal of Honor was awarded to 473 Americans during World War II;
52 WHEREAS, only two of those 473 Americans are alive today;
53 WHEREAS, Charles H. Coolidge of Tennessee and Hershel Woodrow Williams of
54 West Virginia both served their country with conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of
55 their own lives and therefore deserve the gratitude of the American people;
56 WHEREAS, the President of the United States has the sole authority to designate a
57 state funeral;
58 WHEREAS, historically, the President of the United States has designated state
59 funerals for former presidents, generals, and other extraordinary Americans;
60 WHEREAS, our nation is currently divided and yearns for a unifying national event;
61 and
62 WHEREAS, designating a state funeral when the last surviving World War II Medal of
63 Honor recipient dies would be a wonderful way for the American people to unite and honor all
64 16 million soldiers, sailors, and airmen who served in our Armed Forces from 1941 to 1945:
65 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah, the
66 Governor concurring therein, hereby urges the President of the United States to designate a
67 state funeral for the last surviving Medal of Honor recipient from World War II.
68 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature send a copy of this resolution to the
69 President of the United States, the Vice President of the United States, the Speaker of the
70 United States House of Representatives, and the President Pro Tempore of the United States
71 Senate.