HR0469

LRB096 13014 GRL 27185 r






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HOUSE RESOLUTION


 
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    WHEREAS, Francisco O. Chapa has rendered exemplary service 
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to his nation, his family, and his community and is deserving 
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of recognition for his many accomplishments; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Mr. Chapa was born in Sinton, Texas on October 10, 
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1922; he answered his nation's call to duty with service in the 
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United States Army during World War II, during which he 
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participated in the Allied D-Day landings at Normandy and 
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fought under General George Patton at the Battle of the Bulge; 
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he received several commendations for his actions, including 
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the Good Conduct Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, the 
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American Theater Ribbon, the European-African-Middle Eastern 
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Campaign Ribbon with Silver Star Device, and the Purple Heart 
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with one Oak Leaf Cluster; and

 
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    WHEREAS, After concluding his military service in 1947, Mr. 
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Chapa returned home; on February 27, 1949, he married his wife, 
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Virginia; the couple raised six children, and, over the years, 
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the family has grown to include numerous grandchildren; Mr. 
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Chapa was a longtime civil service employee at Naval Air 
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Station Corpus Christi in Texas; after retiring from that 
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position, he went to work for Del Mar College in Corpus 
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Christi, Texas; and

 
 


 






HR0469
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LRB096 13014 GRL 27185 r




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    WHEREAS, Dedicated to the ideal of equality in education, 
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Mr. Chapa worked with Dr. Hector Garcia and the American G.I. 
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Forum to bring a discrimination lawsuit against the school 
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district serving the cities of Sinton and Odem; the case, Chapa 
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v. Odem Independent School District, was decided in Mr. Chapa's 
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favor in 1967; this development marked an important step in the 
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effort to end institutionalized discrimination against 
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Hispanics in Texas; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Through his commitment to the greater good and his 
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bravery in both military combat and in the American struggle 
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for civil rights, Francisco Chapa has set an admirable example 
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for future generations; his work will long be treasured by his 
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loved ones and all who know this admirable Texan; therefore, be 
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it

 
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    RESOLVED, BY THE  HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 
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NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we 
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honor Francisco O. Chapa for his contributions as a soldier and 
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citizen and extend to him sincere best wishes for the future; 
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and be it further

 
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    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
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presented to Francisco Chapa as a symbol of our esteem and 
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respect.