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Resolution
Honoring Pvt. Felix Longoria
WHEREAS,
Mexican-Americans served with distinction in
World War II, earning twelve Medals of Honor, 70
Distinguished Service Crosses and numerous other
awards for bravery and;
WHEREAS,
It is estimated that between 300 to 500,000
Mexican-Americans served in the Pacific and
European theaters during World War II in all
campaigns and as prisioners in the Bataan Death
March and;
WHEREAS,
Mexican-Americans are dedicated to duty, always
on the front lines, volunteering for combat duty
and determined to uphold the heritage of pride
and respect for a country that rarely
appreciates them at home and;
WHEREAS,
Pvt. Felix Longoria, a native son of Three
Rivers, Texas was killed in action while on a
voluntary patrol in the Cagayan Valley, Luzon,
Phillipines during World War II and;
WHEREAS,
Dr, Hector P. Garcia, the founder of the
American G.I. Forum, intervened on behalf of the
Longoria family by asking then U.S. Senator
Lyndon B. Johnson to act on the Longoria
family’s request to have a decent burial for
Pvt. Felix Longoria and;
WHEREAS,
The Pvt. Felix Longoria incident in the Three
Rivers, TX served as a catalyst for the civil
rights movement for Mexican-Americans in the
Southwest through the efforts of Dr. Hector P.
Garcia and the American G.I. Forum and;
WHEREAS,
Pvt. Felix Longoria, in the presence of his
family, U.S. Senator Lyndon B. Johnson, Lady
Bird Johnson, Congressman John Lyle, and the
President Harry Truman’s military aide, General
Harry H. Vaughn, was finally buried with full
military honors at Arligton National Cementery
on February 16, 1948 in this nation’s capital in
which all paid tribute to a Mexican-American
hero and;
WHEREAS,
The City of Three Rivers, Texas has a
responsibility to acknowledge this native son’s
supreme sacrifice for his country and that his
recognition is long overdue;
NOW THEREFORE, BE
IT RESOLVED,
let it be resolved that the United States Post
Office in Three Rivers, Texas be named in honor
of Pvt. Felix Longoria signed on this 27th
day of April, 2003 at the District XI
convention.
Submitted by Mary Helen Salazar, District XI , Texas
Approved this 21st day of June, 2003
Hector M. Flores
LULAC National President |
