HomeMy WebLinkAboutR-1973-03
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:RESOLUTION
73-03
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WHEREAS, It has since the beginning of our existence as a nation been
fundamental that the security of the United States depends on the individual's
acceptance of the responsibilities of active citizenship, including the
contribution of a person's talents, leadership and service in the defense of
our nation; and
WHEREAS, The Reserve Officers' Training Corps, or ROTC, has for many
years served as the training ground for the military officers who lead our
military services in times of conflict and who train and maintain our modern
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combat- ready reserve forces; and
WHEREAS, The Reserve Officers' Training Corps has throughout its long
and glorious history proved to be one of the most successful and critically
important programs ever developed and implemented by the United States; and
WHEREAS, The idea of providing military training to college men was first
approved by the t"nited States Congress when it passed the Land-Grant Act of
1862 providing for the sale of government lands to establish colleges and
universities and requiring these land-grant institutions to teach agriculture,
the mechanic arts and other scientific and classic studies including military
tactics; at least 1,345 officers from land-grant schools served on active duty
.. during the Spanish-American War; and
WHEREAS, The ROTC program in civilian colleges and universities was
officially established by' the National Defense Act of 1916; prompted by the
fighting of World War I in Europe, the National Defense Act of 1916 established
an Officers' Reserve Corps to be composed of men prepared through a Reserve
Officers' Training Corps; most of the 90,000 members of the Officers' Reserve
Corps who served on active duty in World War I received their military
instruction in the ROTC in civilian institutions; and
WHEREAS, The true value of the ROTC program and the high quality of
,'. officers it produces were dramatically shown by World War II; during the rapid
build up of military forces in 1941, over 50,000 ROTC officers were called to
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active duty allowing an otherwise impossible expansion of forces to be
accomplished during one of the most critical times in United Sta tes his tory;
well over lOO.OOO ROTC graduates served as commissioned officers during
World War II, many times more than the number of officers commis'sioned
from the nation's military academies; and
WHEREAS, The ROTC program of today continues to provide the armed
forces of our country with the well trained and responsible leaders which they
need to protect the security of our nation; and
WHEREAS, The Reserve Officers' Training Corps is not only an indispensable
and major source of military officers but it is recog'nized as much more; it
provides the nation with citizen- soldiers who serve their nation in the finest
tradition of service to one's country by contributing time and ene:rgy to the
reserve forces of the nation; and
WHEREAS, The ROTC program and the qualities which it teaches and instills
in its cadets and midshipmen have pro,ved beyond any dOl1bt to be of inestimable
value to the cadets and midshipmen themselves in their civilian careers;
approximately four percent of all college male graduates today have had the
benefit of ROTC, but this relat ively small group has produced 23 percent of
the men who earn over $100,000 annually, 16 percent of our state governors,
24 percent of our senators and 16 percent of our congressmen; and
WHEREAS, American business and industry recognize the greater potential
of ROTC graduates. and many companies have established preferences for
ROTC graduates; a substantial percentage of doctors. lawyers and other pro-
fessional persons haye also had the benefit of ROTC training; and
WHEREAS, The ROTC program also enables numerous stlldents, who would
otherwise be unable to attend college or who wOl'ld be forced to discontinue
their education due to financial difficulties, to obtain a college degree thrqugh
the ROTC Scholarship program; at the present time, 19, 000 scholars~ips are
given to deserving cadets and midshipmen across the nation annually; these
scholarships pay for all. academic expenses, except ro~m and board, and pay an
additional $100 tax-free stipend for up to ten months of each scholastic year; and
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WHEREAS, The Reserve Officers' Training Corps offers to the young
menl'and women of the United States a unique opportunity to serve their
country and to acquire skills, discipline, responsibility and leadership
ability which will qualify them for outstanding job opportunities in
civilian life; and
WHEREAS, It is greatly important that the Reserve Officers' Training
Corps be given the fullest support possible by the citizenry of the
United States as one of the most effective progr~s available which
benefits the nation and strengthens the youth of America today;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF LA PORTE, TEXAS:
THAT, by this Resolution the City Commission of the City of
La Porte staunchly supports the Reserve Officers' Training Corps as
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the strongest link in the traditional role of the citizen-soldier in
this country and as one of the most outstanding programs for producing
military officers and future leaders for our nation; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the City Commission of the City of
La Porte, Texas strongly recommends to all college and university students
that they take advantage of the tremendous opportunity for training and
achievement which the Reserve Officers' Training Corps presents.
PASSED AND APPROVED this the 7th day of May, 1973, A.D.
5< 1L~f4-t
E. A. Thomas
Mayor
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