House Engrossed

State of Arizona House of Representatives Fifty-second Legislature Second Regular Session 2016

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 2001

 

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

 

recognizing the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame.

 

 

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

 

Whereas, more than 600,000 military veterans who have honorably sacrificed in answering the call to serve in our nation's defense reside in the State of Arizona; and

Whereas, the people of the State of Arizona recognize and appreciate the contributions these military veterans have made to our society and safety and acknowledge that these men and women are deserving of our greatest respect and admiration; and

Whereas, many of these military veterans continue to serve and inspire the citizens of Arizona through the performance of significant good deeds and noble accomplishments that extend beyond their military service; and

Whereas, these military veterans enrich our communities through distinguished careers and continued selfless public service to other veterans, military personnel and their families, survivors and other citizens in need; and

Whereas, the Unified Arizona Veterans (UAV), a consortium of Arizona veterans service organizations operating to present a unified stand on veterans and retiree issues and legislation across the State of Arizona, recognized that these military veteran public servants were not receiving the recognition they deserved; and

Whereas, with the advice and assistance of the Arizona Department of Veterans' Services, the UAV agreed to establish a means of recognizing meritorious Arizona veterans from all eras, all branches of service and all walks of life; and

Whereas, on January 31, 2001, the UAV received the support of Governor Jane D. Hull in the establishment of the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame (AVHOF) to recognize and honor deserving individuals; and

Whereas, the AVHOF inaugural induction ceremony was held on May 30, 2001, honoring 26 Medal of Honor recipients, 13 of whom received this honor before Arizona statehood, and 24 other distinguished Arizona veterans; and

Whereas, since its inception in 2001, 36 Medal of Honor recipients and 295 other praiseworthy military veterans have been inducted into the AVHOF at annual induction ceremonies; and

Whereas, every year since 2001, each Arizona governor in succession has endorsed all honorees by approving their induction into the AVHOF and by issuing a proclamation pronouncing an annual AVHOF Day; and

Whereas, the inductees to the AVHOF came together in 2007 to form the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Society, composed of all individual AVHOF honorees with the purpose of bringing them together to work for the continued collective good of others.

Therefore

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the State of Arizona, the Senate concurring:

1.  That the Members of the Legislature recognize the members of the Arizona military veterans community and acknowledge that they are great assets to our state.

2.  That the Members of the Legislature support the men, women and families of our nation's military and our military veterans.

3.  That the Members of the Legislature recognize the deeds and accomplishments of those Arizona military veterans who have continued to serve their communities in a truly exemplary fashion after their military service and have been inducted into the AVHOF.

4.  That the Members of the Legislature recognize the AVHOF and support its noble endeavors to recognize these outstanding individuals.