[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 3 (Tuesday, January 8, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Page S70]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

                                 ______
                                 

    SENATE RESOLUTION 10--HONORING THE LIFE OF RICHARD ARVIN OVERTON

  Mr. CORNYN (for himself and Mr. Cruz) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary:

                               S. Res. 10

       Whereas, on May 11, 1906, Richard Arvin Overton was born to 
     Gentry Overton, Sr., and Elizabeth ``Lizzie'' Overton in 
     Bastrop County, Texas;
       Whereas, in 1940, Richard Arvin Overton enlisted in the 
     Army and began his military service at Fort Sam Houston in 
     San Antonio, Texas;
       Whereas, from 1942 to 1945, Richard Arvin Overton bravely 
     served in the Pacific theater, including in Guam, Palau, and 
     Iwo Jima, with the 1887th Engineer Aviation Battalion, an 
     all-African American unit, until the conclusion of World War 
     II;
       Whereas Richard Arvin Overton attained the rank of corporal 
     in the Army;
       Whereas Richard Arvin Overton earned the Combat Infantry 
     Badge, the Meritorious Unit Commendation, the Army Good 
     Conduct Medal, the American Defense Service Medal, the 
     American Campaign Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, 
     the World War II Victory Medal, and the Expert Rifle 
     Marksmanship Badge;
       Whereas Richard Arvin Overton returned to Austin, Texas, 
     after the end of World War II and resided there until his 
     death;
       Whereas, on November 11, 2013, Richard Arvin Overton was 
     honored by former President Barack Obama at Arlington 
     National Cemetery for his courage and commitment to service 
     in combat zones such as Pearl Harbor, the Marshall Islands, 
     Guam, Palau, and Iwo Jima;
       Whereas, on January 3, 2015, Richard Arvin Overton 
     represented The Greatest Generation at the 2015 United States 
     Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio, Texas;
       Whereas, on May 3, 2016, Richard Arvin Overton became the 
     oldest surviving veteran of the Armed Forces after the death 
     of Frank Levingston, a fellow World War II veteran;
       Whereas, on May 11, 2016, Richard Arvin Overton attained 
     110 years of age and became a supercentenarian;
       Whereas, in Austin, Texas, May 11th of each year is 
     designated as ``Richard Overton Day'' in honor of Richard 
     Arvin Overton's birthday;
       Whereas, in 2017, the city of Austin, Texas, officially 
     renamed the street on which Richard Arvin Overton resided to 
     ``Richard Overton Avenue'';
       Whereas Richard Arvin Overton died on December 27, 2018;
       Whereas Richard Arvin Overton will be laid to rest with 
     full military honors at the Texas State Cemetery in Austin, 
     Texas; and
       Whereas Richard Arvin Overton is a United States hero who 
     exemplified strength, sacrifice, and service to the country: 
     Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) extends its heartfelt sympathy to the family of Richard 
     Arvin Overton on the occasion of his death;
       (2) honors the life of Richard Arvin Overton and his 
     service to the United States;
       (3) honors and, on behalf of the United States, expresses 
     deep appreciation for the outstanding and important service 
     of Richard Arvin Overton to the United States; and
       (4) respectfully requests that the Secretary of the Senate 
     communicate this resolution to the House of Representatives 
     and transmit an enrolled copy of this resolution to the 
     family of Richard Arvin Overton.

                          ____________________