[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1220 Introduced in House (IH)]







110th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 1220

 Honoring the lives of Dr. Victor Westphall and Mrs. Jeanne Westphall 
           and their contributions to the Nation's veterans.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              May 22, 2008

 Mr. Udall of New Mexico submitted the following resolution; which was 
referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the 
    Committee on Natural Resources, for a period to be subsequently 
   determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such 
 provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Honoring the lives of Dr. Victor Westphall and Mrs. Jeanne Westphall 
           and their contributions to the Nation's veterans.

Whereas during the Vietnam War, over 58,000 Americans were killed;
Whereas on the evening of May 22, 1968, First Lieutenant Victor David Westphall 
        III was killed in action in Quang Tri Province;
Whereas Dr. Victor Westphall and Mrs. Jeanne Westphall chose to honor the 
        courage and sacrifice of their son and others who gave their lives in 
        the war by creating a memorial in Angel Fire, New Mexico;
Whereas in the face of challenges to and difficulties during a time of 
        divisiveness and unrest in the Nation, the Westphalls nonetheless 
        recognized the need for a place to honor those who had suffered and 
        those who had died as a result of the war;
Whereas on May 22, 1971, a dedication was held for the Vietnam Veterans Peace 
        and Brotherhood Chapel and National Memorial;
Whereas the memorial was the first of its kind in the Nation and over the last 
        40 years it has become a spiritual haven for veterans and a place of 
        reflection and tranquility;
Whereas those who led the establishment of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in 
        Washington, DC, looked to the memorial in Angel Fire as an inspiration;
Whereas Dr. Victor Westphall and Mrs. Jeanne Westphall spent the next four 
        decades working to expand the memorial and to spread its message of 
        peace;
Whereas Dr. Victor Westphall and Mrs. Jeanne Westphall established the David 
        Westphall Veterans Foundation to facilitate this effort;
Whereas on July 22, 2003, Dr. Victor Westphall died;
Whereas on August 1, 2004, Mrs. Jeanne Westphall died;
Whereas surviving members of the Westphall family carry on the work that Dr. and 
        Mrs. Westphall began, maintaining a steadfast commitment to the memorial 
        in Angel Fire and continuing to support its purpose and mission; and
Whereas on November 11, 2005, Veterans Day, the David Westphall Veterans 
        Foundation donated the Vietnam Veterans National memorial to the State 
        of New Mexico to be operated as the Vietnam Veterans Memorial State 
        Park, the only such State park in the Nation: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) recognizes the substantial contributions made by Dr. 
        Victor Westphall and Mrs. Jeanne Westphall in their efforts to 
        honor all veterans and to properly memorialize the sacrifices 
        made during the Vietnam War;
            (2) honors the memory of Dr. Victor Westphall and Mrs. 
        Jeanne Westphall, both of whom embodied outstanding principles, 
        courage, and service; and
            (3) encourages the National Park Service of the Department 
        of the Interior, which manages the Vietnam Veterans National 
        Memorial, to seek collaboration and partnership with the 
        Vietnam Veterans Memorial State Park in New Mexico, as 
        appropriate, as a way of honoring in an enduring way Dr. and 
        Mrs. Westphall and all Vietnam veterans for their contribution 
        and service to the Nation.
                                 <all>