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H. C. R. No. 56 *HR26/R2650* ~ OFFICIAL ~ N1/2
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To: Rules
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026
By: Representatives Hall, Barton, Boyd
(19th), Byrd, Carpenter, Eubanks, Hulum,
Morgan, Newman, Pigott, Tullos
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 56
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION MEMORIALIZING THE UNITED STATES 1
CONGRESS TO AUTHORIZE AND DIRECT THE ISSUANCE OF THE ARMED FORCES 2
EXPEDITIONARY MEDAL TO VETERANS OF THE UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES 3
WHO SERVED IN HONDURAS FROM 1981 THROUGH 1992. 4
WHEREAS, between 1981 and 1992, members of the United States 5
Armed Forces were deployed to Honduras in support of United States 6
military operations and regional security objectives during a 7
period of significant geopolitical instability in Central America; 8
and 9
WHEREAS, these operations were conducted in furtherance of 10
United States national security interests, including efforts to 11
deter the expansion of communist influence throughout the region 12
and to stabilize democratic governments in Central America; and 13
WHEREAS, service members stationed in Honduras during this 14
period operated under hazardous and austere conditions, often in 15
support of joint and combined operations, training exercises, and 16
contingency missions associated with regional conflict; and 17
WHEREAS, between 1981 and 1992, 47 Purple Hearts were awarded 18
to service members for wounds sustained during operations 19
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connected to this mission, two Prisoner of War Medals were issued, 20
and four Air Medals were awarded, reflecting the dangerous nature 21
of the service performed; and 22
WHEREAS, the awarding of these decorations evidences the 23
presence of hostile or imminent-danger conditions consistent with 24
the criteria traditionally associated with expeditionary military 25
operations; and 26
WHEREAS, in 1996, the United States Congress authorized and 27
the President of the United States approved the issuance of the 28
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM) to veterans who served in 29
El Salvador between 1981 and 1992, yet veterans who served in 30
Honduras during the same period were not included in that 31
authorization; and 32
WHEREAS, many United States military personnel supporting 33
operations in El Salvador were stationed in or operated from 34
Honduras, creating a disparity in recognition among similarly 35
situated service members; and 36
WHEREAS, national veterans service organizations, including 37
the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, and the 38
Disabled American Veterans, have adopted formal resolutions 39
supporting the issuance of the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal to 40
veterans who served in Honduras during the specified period; and 41
WHEREAS, multiple states have adopted or are actively 42
considering concurrent resolutions memorializing Congress to take 43
corrective action, including North Dakota, New Jersey, Missouri, 44
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Ohio, and Iowa, with additional states engaged in review or 45
drafting processes; and 46
WHEREAS, equitable recognition of military service 47
strengthens morale among veterans, honors sacrifice, and preserves 48
the integrity of the nation's system of military awards and 49
decorations; and 50
WHEREAS, the omission of Honduras service from prior 51
authorization has created a longstanding inequity for veterans who 52
served honorably and under hazardous conditions in defense of the 53
interests of the United States; and 54
WHEREAS, it is imperative that action is taken on a national 55
level, in order to ensure that the brave service members of our 56
country's armed forces are given the just recognition they are 57
deserving of the selfless display of heroism and patriotism in the 58
face of adversity in furtherance of protecting the principles of 59
freedom and democracy: 60
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF 61
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING 62
THEREIN, That we do hereby respectfully memorialize the United 63
States Congress to enact legislation authorizing and directing the 64
Secretary of Defense to designate service in Honduras between 65
January 1, 1981, and December 31, 1992, as qualifying service for 66
the award of the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal. 67
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That Congress is urged to provide for 68
equitable and retroactive issuance of the Armed Forces 69
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ST: Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal; urge
Congress to issue to veterans who served in
Honduras from 1981-1992.
Expeditionary Medal to all eligible veterans who served in 70
Honduras during the specified period. 71
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be 72
furnished to the President of the United States, the President of 73
the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House 74
of Representatives, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of the 75
Army, the Secretary of the Navy, the Secretary of the Air Force, 76
to each member of the State of Mississippi's Congressional 77
delegation, and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps. 78