HR0469 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0469 LRB096 13014 GRL 27185 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

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

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

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

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

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

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

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