Legislative Success

House Concurrent Resolution 70 Grants Authorization for Memorial

As the Texas Capitol is the physical and symbolic seat of state government, the buildings and grounds are judiciously managed by the State Preservation Board. Additions to the grounds, such as placing monuments, must be approved through legislation.

On June 10, 2015, Governor Greg Abbott signed House Concurrent Resolution 70, legislation that was required to allow the State Preservation Board to permit construction of “The Price of Liberty Memorial” at the Capitol complex. Additionally, the resolution mandated that the cost of the monument and the endowment for future maintenance of the monument be at no cost to Texas taxpayers. All funds will be raised through charitable contributions.

Having built the model, members of the Texas National Guard Family Support Foundation, steered by Mr. Stan Lenox III, of the Association of the United States Army, secured the required legislation to place the monument on the Texas Capitol Grounds. Colonel (Retired) James Stryker, the Project Chairman, emphasizes that the Legislative success would never have been achieved in such a prompt manner, without the untiring work, knowledge and guidance of Stan Lenox III.

Texas War Memorial supporters feel that as Texans, we owe it to our great service members and their families to build this monument to honor them and provide a place for them to reflect on their service, a place to heal and know that fellow-Texans appreciate their sacrifices. It also serves as a place to reflect and a reminder for all, even those who have not served, that there is a high price for liberty.

Senators that Authored the Senate Concurrent Resolution 24

The “Price of Liberty” staff and Texas Veterans and Families sincerely appreciate the support that the following Texas Senators and Representatives demonstrated in getting the required legislation passed to allow the monument to be placed at the Texas Capitol.

House Concurrent Resolution No.70

WHEREAS, Our nation is fortunate to have sons and daughters whose love of country is such that they are willing to risk their lives in its defense, and they are truly deserving of the utmost respect and gratitude; and

WHEREAS, Legions of Americans stepped forward to serve their nation in the aftermath of September 11, 2001, and their unwavering resolve to combat terrorism in the Global War on Terror helped ensure the safety of millions of people back home and around the globe; and

WHEREAS, Almost 7,000 U.S. service members, including 600 Texans, have died in the war to date, and countless more American troops have been wounded; sharing in those sacrifices have been their families and friends; and

WHEREAS, Under Chapter 443, Government Code, and rules of the State Preservation Board, a portion of the north Capitol grounds is available for new monuments, subject to legislative approval, specified procedural requirements, the provision of funding from private donors, conformity to certain size and design limitations and parameters, and completion on a timely basis; and

WHEREAS, Members of the Texas Legislature find that a commemorative monument recognizing those Texans who served during the Global War on Terror would be a worthy addition to the Capitol grounds; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the 84th Legislature of the State of Texas hereby authorize the State Preservation Board, subject to state law and rules of the board, to approve and permit the construction of a monument at the state Capitol Complex, at a site outside the historic Capitol grounds, honoring Texans who served during the Global War on Terror as part of the U.S. armed forces and their families; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That the Texas secretary of state forward an official copy of this resolution to the executive director of the State Preservation Board.

Co-Author

Rep Will Metcalf

The Texas War Memorial Legislative Team

Our legislative team at the Texas Capitol with Sen Larry Taylor, author of Senate Concurrent Resolution 24.  From left to right – Texas War Memorial Chairman Colonel (Retired) James Stryker; Gold Star Dad Terry Burgess; Major General (Retired) Joyce Stevens; Senator Larry Taylor; Christine Gilbreath former Army soldier and current president of the Texas National Guard Family Support Foundation; Scott Gilbreth OIF (2 tours) and OEF Veteran; and Ray Lindner, Executive Director of the Texas National Guard Association of Texas and Treasurer of the Texas War Memorial. 

Our legislative team in Representative Dan Flynn’s Office.  Representative Flynn authored House Concurrent Resolution 70.  From left to right – Texas War Memorial Chairman Colonel (Retired) James Stryker; Gold Star Dad Terry Burgess; Major General (Retired) Joyce Stevens; Representative Dan Flynn; Christine Gilbreath former soldier and current president of the Texas National Guard Family Support Foundation; Scott Gilbreth OIF (2 tours) and OEF Veteran; and Ray Lindner, Executive Director of the Texas National Guard Association of Texas and Treasurer of the Texas War Memorial.

A few members of our legislative team in Representative Allen Fletcher’s Office.  The model of the monument is shown in the center.   From left to right – Major General (Retired) Joyce Stevens; Representative Allen Fletcher; the Texas War Memorial principal legislative expert, Mr. Stan Lenox III; and Texas War Memorial Chairman Colonel (Retired) James Stryker.