R 149

2020 -- H 7951 Enacted 03/03/2020

H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

RESPECTFULLY REQUESTING THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES TO DESIGNATE A STATE FUNERAL FOR THE LAST SURVIVING MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENT FROM WORLD WAR II WHEN SUCH RECIPIENT PASSES AWAY

Introduced By: Representatives Azzinaro, Mattiello, Fellela, Abney, and Serpa

Date Introduced: March 03, 2020

WHEREAS, World War II, the most widespread war in history, lasted from 1939 until

1945; and

WHEREAS, The United States entered the war in 1941, following an attack on Pearl

Harbor by Japanese fighter planes; and

WHEREAS, Over sixteen million Americans served their country and 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

collectively called the "greatest generation" for their selfless sacrifice; and

WHEREAS, The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration that is awarded by

the United States government; and

WHEREAS, The Medal of Honor is presented by the President of the United States, in

the name of Congress; and

WHEREAS, The Medal of Honor is only conferred upon members of the United States

Armed Forces who distinguished themselves through conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the

risk of life above and beyond the call of duty while engaged in action against an enemy of the

United States, while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign

force, or while serving with friendly forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing

armed force in which the United States was not a belligerent party; 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.

Today only 2 of those recipients are still alive; and

WHEREAS, These courageous servicemen, Charles H. Coolidge of Tennessee and

Hershel Woodrow Williams of West Virginia, risked their lives while serving our country with

conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity and therefore deserve the gratitude of the American people;

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 yearns for a unifying national event; and

WHEREAS, Designating a state funeral when the last surviving World War II Medal of

Honor recipient dies would be a wonderful way for the American people to unite and honor all

sixteen million soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines, and coast guardsmen who served in our Armed

Forces from 1941 to 1945; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

Providence Plantations hereby respectfully urges the President of the United States to designate a

state funeral for the last surviving Medal of Honor recipient from World War II when such

recipient passes away; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the President of the United States, the Vice

President of the United States, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, the

Majority Leader of the United States Senate, and members of the Rhode Island Congressional

Delegation.

========

LC005211

========