House Resolution 79

A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE MISSISSIPPI VIETNAM VETERANS MEMORIAL IN OCEAN SPRINGS, MISSISSIPPI, UPON ITS 25TH ANNIVERSARY AND EXTENDING OUR HEARTFELT TRIBUTE TO THE VETERANS, OUR HEROES, WHOM THIS MEMORIAL HONORS AND REMEMBERS.

WHEREAS, on May 31, 1997, the Mississippi Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Ocean Springs, Mississippi, was dedicated, a memorial made possible through the generous efforts of a multitude of individual forces armed with a collective vision to pay tribute to those who served and those who died during a most difficult time in our nation's history; and

WHEREAS, there is no other memorial like it in all of the United States, nor will you find it replicated anywhere in the world; and it is more than a memorial, it is a healing, teaching, living legacy where families and Vietnam veterans come to heal, where children stand and seek understanding, and where the lessons of the past are always before us; and

WHEREAS, the memorial serves to express the enduring gratitude of the people of the great State of Mississippi to all who took part in that noble conflict under the flag of the United States to those who survived, no less than those who paid the
supreme sacrifice; and

WHEREAS, the genesis of a Mississippi Vietnam Veterans Memorial began in August 1985 when a group of Vietnamese Americans, who wanted to find an appropriate way to show their appreciation to Mississippians who served in that noble struggle to keep Vietnam a free country, presented the idea to Mr. Roy Martin and to the staff of the Biloxi Vets Center; and

WHEREAS, though initially slated to be located in Biloxi, the memorial was relocated to Ocean Springs, and a groundbreaking ceremony was conducted and celebrated on May 29, 1995, with more than a thousand individuals attending this memorable occasion; and more than eight years after its conception, on December 5, 1996, actual construction of the Mississippi Vietnam Veterans Memorial began; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize milestone anniversaries of such important events as the dedication of the Mississippi Vietnam Veterans Memorial:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby recognize the Mississippi Vietnam Veterans Memorial upon its 25th anniversary, and extend our tribute to the veterans, our heroes, whom this memorial honors and remembers.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the Mississippi Vietnam Veterans Memorial Committee and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.