110 HRES 1220 IH: Honoring the lives of Dr. Victor Westphall U.S. House of Representatives 2008-05-22 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

IV 110th CONGRESS 2d Session H. RES. 1220 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

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.