Medal of Honor Memorial

Texas Heritage Museum, Hill College
Texas State Medal of Honor Memorial to Native-Born Texans
Press Release

The 81st Texas Legislature designated the Texas Heritage Museum's memorial as the Official Texas State Medal of Honor Memorial to Native-Born Texans. SCR-5, a resolution authored by Senator Kip Averitt and sponsored by Representative Jim Pitts, was signed by Texas Governor Rick Perry on June 19, 2009, and it officially became law September 1.

Hill College has installed the Texas Medal of Honor Memorial as a tribute to all native-born Texans who have received that distinction, the highest award that can be bestowed on a member of the United States armed forces. Located on the campus of Hill College in front of the Texas Heritage Museum, the memorial serves to enhance the mission of the museum which is "To explore Texas and Texans during wartime and how those experiences affect us today".

It is very fitting for this state memorial to be placed at Hill College in Hillsboro, Tex. The city of Hillsboro is home to James Harris, a native-born Texan Medal of Honor recipient who is represented on the memorial. Hill College is also centrally located in Texas situated just south of Dallas and Fort Worth on I-35.

These efforts could not have been possible without the strong support of Senator Kip Averitt, Representative Jim Pitts and Hill College President Dr. Sheryl Kappus. For the memorial to receive this designation, it took two legislative sessions, more than three years of work and numerous trips to Austin. The bill designation was SCR-5 and was one of only 1,168 bills passed by the Texas State Legislature out of 7,609.

After the bill just missed passage during the 80th legislature, Senator Averitt said he was determined to have SCR-5 added to the proceedings of the 81st and wanted to move through the process, despite competition from other areas.

"We came back, and made SCR-5 high priority on the schedule," said Averitt. "It was very gratifying [when it passed]."

The museum will have a large celebration to commemorate this official designation in the spring of 2010.

"What a treasure we have right here at the heart of the Hill College campus," Dr. Kappus said. "We are so proud of the rich heritage the museum and memorial embodies, and what an honor to be designated as the official state memorial to such deserving individuals."

According to John Versluis, Director of the Texas Heritage Museum the Texas State Medal of Honor Memorial to Native-Born Texans at the Texas Heritage Museum is the place where valor sleeps.

"We acknowledge our responsibility as Americans to preserve the memory of our national and Texas heroes," Versluis said. "Visitors who come to the Texas Heritage Museum and look out on the front lawn to view the state memorial know that they are in the presence of greatness. The memorial records the names of 56 Texans. Each of the soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines represented here answered the call to serve, and stepped forward to protect the nation they loved."

Versluis continued that all of the Medal of Honor recipients who are represented here acknowledge their duty. They saw a dark shadow on the horizon and went to meet it. They understood that tyranny must be met with resolve and that liberty is always the achievement of courage. Here, in the presence of the state memorial, the Texas Heritage Museum honors them, this day and every day.

"Our nation is free because of brave Americans like these, who volunteer to confront our adversaries domestic and abroad," Versluis stated. "The Texas Heritage Museum will honor them by completing the mission for which they gave their lives, by advancing the cause of liberty and by laying the foundation of our mission."

Of the more than 3,400 individuals who have received the Medal of Honor, 56 were born in the Lone Star State. The central shaft of the memorial highlights the valor of Texans Audie Murphy and Samuel Dealey, the most decorated members of the U.S. Army and Navy in World War II. The Medal of Honor Exhibit features the Medal of Honor that was awarded to James Harris, a World War II tank commander and Hillsboro native, and a large number of photographs and documents relating to other Medal of Honor recipients from Texas. The Texas Heritage Museum plans to expand and develop educational programming around the state memorial and to invite Medal of Honor recipients to talk about and share their experiences.

"The Texas State Medal of Honor Memorial to Native Born Texans is such an important recognition of the valiant Texans who served our country," Pitts stated. "I am humbled by their sacrifices on behalf of freedom, and I am proud to have had a part in seeing this memorial become a reality. This memorial will stand so that future generations can honor those individuals who earned this prestigious medal."

To be considered as a nominee for the Medal of Honor, a man or woman must have demonstrated conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty and at the risk of his or her life. In paying solemn tribute to those Texans who have exemplified the highest standards of courage, selflessness and devotion to duty, the memorial at Hill College commemorates those who have earned the lasting gratitude and respect of all Americans.

"[Everyone] should be very proud of this," Averitt added. "It's going to be a great thing."

If you are interested in supporting this state memorial and purchasing a personalized engraved brick to be placed on the memorial\'s walkway or a membership, please contact the Texas Heritage Museum at 254/659-7750

For more information, call the Texas Heritage Museum at 254-659-7750

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