HCR7 - Designating September 29 as Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States Day for a 10-year period ending in 2035.

      H.C.R. No. 7       HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION          WHEREAS, For 125 years, the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the   United States has rendered exceptional service to former members of   our nation's armed forces; and          WHEREAS, The VFW traces its origins to 1899, when veterans of   the Spanish-American War and the Philippine-American War founded   local organizations in Ohio, Colorado, and Pennsylvania to advocate   for their rights and secure benefits such as medical care and   pensions; the movement quickly gained momentum, and the groups   banded together to form the VFW; today, the organization and the VFW   Auxiliary boast memberships totaling more than 1.4 million; and          WHEREAS, Since its inception, the VFW has supported a wide   range of veterans' benefits programs, and it has offered guidance   to countless former service members in their transition back to   civilian life; in addition, the organization has made a positive   impact in local communities, and it has distinguished itself as a   national leader on issues important to veterans and their families;   and          WHEREAS, The VFW's many contributions have included   advocating for the establishment of the Veterans Administration   (now known as the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs) and the   national cemetery system, fighting for improved health care for   women veterans, and providing funds for a number of memorials   honoring military service members; the organization has also played   an instrumental role in the passage of legislation such as the GI   Bill for the 21st Century in 2008, the Veterans Access, Choice, and   Accountability Act of 2014, the 2019 Blue Water Navy Vietnam   Veterans Act, and the 2022 Honoring Our PACT Act; and          WHEREAS, Americans owe a profound debt of gratitude to the   military personnel who put themselves in harm's way to defend our   safety, security, and freedom, and the VFW is indeed deserving of   special recognition for its efforts to ensure that veterans receive   the support and appreciation they deserve; now, therefore, be it          RESOLVED, That the 89th Legislature of the State of Texas   hereby designate September 29 as Veterans of Foreign Wars of the   United States Day; and, be it further          RESOLVED, That, in accordance with the provisions of   Section 391.004(d), Government Code, this designation remain in   effect until the 10th anniversary of the date this resolution is   finally passed by the legislature.     Tepper       ______________________________ ______________________________      President of the Senate Speaker of the House                   I certify that H.C.R. No. 7 was adopted by the House on May 7,   2025, by the following vote:  Yeas 140, Nays 0, 2 present, not   voting.     ______________________________   Chief Clerk of the House                 I certify that H.C.R. No. 7 was adopted by the Senate on May   14, 2025, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.     ______________________________   Secretary of the Senate      APPROVED: __________________                   Date                       __________________                 Governor