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WHEREAS, The United States Postal Service has issued commemorative stamps honoring a wide range of people, places, and events significant to American culture, but despite repeated requests and a number of petitions, the postal service has refused to commission a regular issue stamp honoring one of the greatest war heroes in our nation's history, Major Audie Leon Murphy; and

WHEREAS, Audie Murphy embarked on his storied military career on June 20, 1942, when he answered his country's call to arms by enlisting in the United States Army; over the next three years, his courageous service in North Africa and Europe earned him every decoration for valor that our country offers, including the Medal of Honor, and five decorations from France and Belgium as well; and

WHEREAS, Following his return to civilian life, the most honored soldier of World War II launched a successful acting career in such movies as The Red Badge of Courage and To Hell and Back, which was based on his best-selling autobiography; he was also a songwriter, penning chart-topping hits for such diverse artists as Dean Martin, Porter Waggoner, Harry Nilsson, and many others; and

WHEREAS, Success could not erase the painful memories he brought back from battle, however, and like many soldiers who have endured the unimaginable brutality of war, he suffered throughout his life from what is now known as Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome; long before society recognized this problem as an understandable and treatable reaction to extreme duress, he dared to break the silence surrounding this misunderstood condition, speaking out candidly on his own experiences and urging better treatment for veterans of Korea and Vietnam; and

WHEREAS, After his death in 1971, Aude Murphy was buried with full honors in Arlington National Cemetery, and to this day, his gravesite is the second most visited site there, with only President John F. Kennedy's grave drawing more visitors; since his death, more than 10,000 petition forms have been forwarded to the postal service asking that a stamp be issued in his memory, but the postmaster has replied that this heartfelt request to honor a true American hero is "not appropriate"; and

WHEREAS, To this day, Audie Murphy embodies for many Americans the spirit of patriotism, service, and sacrifice that has made our nation strong, and numerous statues, buildings, and other memorials across the country have been dedicated in his honor; yet despite the magnitude of his sacrifice and service, many young people today are unaware of the contributions Audie Murphy made to this country, and a postage stamp commemorating his achievements would be a crucial step in preserving his legacy and in demonstrating our nation's commitment to keeping his memory alive; and

WHEREAS, Recent postage stamps have paid tribute to actors, rock and roll singers, and even cartoon characters; a stamp issued in 1983 purported to honor all Medal of Honor winners, and a 1995 special edition series commemorating World War II mentioned Major Murphy but did not dedicate an individual stamp to him; veterans and historians are united in their belief that a regular issue stamp dedicated solely to Major Murphy is both appropriate and long overdue, and the continued exclusion of the single most decorated soldier of the World War II from the post office's pantheon of honored individuals remains nothing less than a travesty, and an undeserved betrayal not only of Audie Murphy but of all of his countless fellow veterans who gave so much of themselves to this country; and

WHEREAS, While Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley, and Bugs Bunny, all subjects of recent stamps, are easily recognizable icons of American culture, Audie Murphy is much more than a representation of beauty, rock music, or comedy: he symbolizes the spirit of a nation that for more than 200 years has relied on its citizens to step forward in times of need and lay down their lives for the cause of freedom and democracy; Major Audie Leon Murphy answered that challenged unhesitatingly, and he deserves to be remembered by the subsequent generations of Americans who have enjoyed the liberty that he valiantly fought to preserve; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the 75th Legislature of the State of Texas hereby respectfully expresses to the Congress of the United States its legislative support for the creation of a regular issue postage stamp honoring Major Audie Murphy; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That the Texas secretary of state forward official copies of this resolution to the president of the United States, to the speaker of the house of representatives and the president of the senate of the United States Congress, and to all the members of the Texas delegation to the congress with the request that this resolution be officially entered in the Congressional Record as a memorial to the Congress of the United States of America.