On May 2, 2001, during a joint assembly of the 77th Texas Legislature, the TX Legislative Medal of Honor will be bestowed posthumously to Roy P. Benavidez, Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient.

House Concurrent Resolution 11 or HCR 11 was filed by Texas Represenative Michael "Miguel" Wise and Senate Concurrent Resolution 15 or SCR 15 was filed by Texas Senator Eliot Shapleigh.

For more information about the Bills, go to http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/ under Bill Information, type in HCR11 or SCR15.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE RESOLUTION:

The purpose of this legislation is to bestow posthumously the prestigious Texas Legislative Medal of Honor on Master Srgt. Roy P. Benavidez of El Campo, Texas, who passed away on November 29, 1998.  This will mark only the third time in Texas history that this prestigious honor has been awarded to a Texas veteran.  The bestowing of the Texas Legislative Medal of Honor on Master Srgt. Benavidez represents several FIRSTS in Texas history:  (1)  it will mark the first time that the Legislative Medal of Honor is awarded in the new millennium in Texas;  (2) Master Srgt. Benavidez will be the first Hispanic veteran to receive the Legislative Medal of Honor; and (3) it will also mark the first time that the Legislative Medal of Honor has been bestowed on a Vietnam veteran.

Currently, the Texas Legislative Medal of Honor can only be awarded by the governor on approval by the legislature.  This prestigious honor, which has only been bestowed twice before, was established by the 58th Legislature in 1963 to recognize a member of the state military forces of Texas who bravely performs a deed of self-sacrifice, risking one's life in a mission so conspicuously courageous and intrepid so as to clearly distinguish the individual above the person's comrades.  It was awarded during the 75th
Regular Session (HCR 238 by Merritt) to Technical Sergeant James Marion Logan on May 16, 1997, and to First Lieutenant Jack Llewellyn Knight during the 76th Regular Session (SCR 59 by Sibley) on April 19, 1999.  Additionally, legislation passed during the 76th Regular Session (HB 3425) added language to the statutes which allows the Texas Legislative Medal of Honor to be awarded to any person who has been awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.

Without a doubt, through his courageous actions during battle in the Vietnam War and his exceptional and extraordinary valor in rescuing insured fellow soldiers, Master Srgt. Benavidez meets all the criteria to receive this prestigious Legislative Medal of Honor in Texas.  Even upon his retirement from the military,  Master Srgt. Benavidez continued to
unselfishly serve his country and the State of Texas by devoting his time and energy to veterans groups across the U.S. and spreading his message of hope and bravery by visiting schools and speaking to youths on critical issues such as education, drug abuse, and gang violence.

It is only fitting that the Texas Legislature, on behalf of all Texans, bestow the highest commendation that it can bestow on members of our state military forces, on Master  Sergeant Roy P. Benavidez in recognition of his heroic service and valor.

For more information contact Noel Benavidez