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[Page S70]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS
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SENATE RESOLUTION 10--HONORING THE LIFE OF RICHARD ARVIN OVERTON
Mr. CORNYN (for himself and Mr. Cruz) submitted the following
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary:
S. Res. 10
Whereas, on May 11, 1906, Richard Arvin Overton was born to
Gentry Overton, Sr., and Elizabeth ``Lizzie'' Overton in
Bastrop County, Texas;
Whereas, in 1940, Richard Arvin Overton enlisted in the
Army and began his military service at Fort Sam Houston in
San Antonio, Texas;
Whereas, from 1942 to 1945, Richard Arvin Overton bravely
served in the Pacific theater, including in Guam, Palau, and
Iwo Jima, with the 1887th Engineer Aviation Battalion, an
all-African American unit, until the conclusion of World War
II;
Whereas Richard Arvin Overton attained the rank of corporal
in the Army;
Whereas Richard Arvin Overton earned the Combat Infantry
Badge, the Meritorious Unit Commendation, the Army Good
Conduct Medal, the American Defense Service Medal, the
American Campaign Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal,
the World War II Victory Medal, and the Expert Rifle
Marksmanship Badge;
Whereas Richard Arvin Overton returned to Austin, Texas,
after the end of World War II and resided there until his
death;
Whereas, on November 11, 2013, Richard Arvin Overton was
honored by former President Barack Obama at Arlington
National Cemetery for his courage and commitment to service
in combat zones such as Pearl Harbor, the Marshall Islands,
Guam, Palau, and Iwo Jima;
Whereas, on January 3, 2015, Richard Arvin Overton
represented The Greatest Generation at the 2015 United States
Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio, Texas;
Whereas, on May 3, 2016, Richard Arvin Overton became the
oldest surviving veteran of the Armed Forces after the death
of Frank Levingston, a fellow World War II veteran;
Whereas, on May 11, 2016, Richard Arvin Overton attained
110 years of age and became a supercentenarian;
Whereas, in Austin, Texas, May 11th of each year is
designated as ``Richard Overton Day'' in honor of Richard
Arvin Overton's birthday;
Whereas, in 2017, the city of Austin, Texas, officially
renamed the street on which Richard Arvin Overton resided to
``Richard Overton Avenue'';
Whereas Richard Arvin Overton died on December 27, 2018;
Whereas Richard Arvin Overton will be laid to rest with
full military honors at the Texas State Cemetery in Austin,
Texas; and
Whereas Richard Arvin Overton is a United States hero who
exemplified strength, sacrifice, and service to the country:
Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) extends its heartfelt sympathy to the family of Richard
Arvin Overton on the occasion of his death;
(2) honors the life of Richard Arvin Overton and his
service to the United States;
(3) honors and, on behalf of the United States, expresses
deep appreciation for the outstanding and important service
of Richard Arvin Overton to the United States; and
(4) respectfully requests that the Secretary of the Senate
communicate this resolution to the House of Representatives
and transmit an enrolled copy of this resolution to the
family of Richard Arvin Overton.
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