HBA-CMT H.C.R. 11 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.C.R. 11 By: Wise State, Federal & International Relations 3/12/2001 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The Texas Legislative Medal of Honor was established by the 58th Texas Legislature to honor gallant and intrepid service by a member of the State Military Forces of Texas. Through his courageous actions during battle in the Vietnam War, Master Sergeant Roy P. Benavidez distinguished himself as a worthy recipient of this prestigious honor. A native Texan, Sergeant Benavidez was born on August 5, 1935 in Dewitt County. Orphaned at a young age, he dropped out of school to work in the fields before enlisting in the U.S. Army in June of 1955. While on his first tour of duty in Vietnam, he was injured by a land mine and doctors feared he may never walk again. Sergeant Benavidez recovered and returned to Vietnam with the elite Special Forces Unit known as the Green Berets. On May 2, 1968, Sergeant Benavidez learned that 12 members of a Special Forces reconnaissance team were surrounded by enemy troops inside Cambodia and under heavy fire. This heroic Texan volunteered for the evacuation mission to aid in the rescue of his fellow soldiers. Despite receiving injuries from jumping from the helicopter into enemy fire, Sergeant Benavidez carried the wounded men to the waiting helicopter and provided protective fire to cover the remaining crew. Sergeant Benavidez was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross and in 1981 he was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor by President Ronald Reagan. Though Master Sergeant Roy P. Benavidez passed away on November 29, 1998, his actions continue to provide inspiration. House Concurrent Resolution 11 posthumously confers the Texas Legislative Medal of Honor on Master Sergeant Roy P. Benavidez in recognition of his heroic service. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this resolution does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. ANALYSIS House Concurrent Resolution 11 posthumously confers the Texas Legislative Medal of Honor on Master Sergeant Roy P. Benavidez in recognition of his heroic service, and expresses to his family the 77th Texas Legislature's deepest appreciation on behalf of all his fellow Texans.