Comparing H 5262 → HC 56 — Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal; urge Congress to issue to...

Struck = only in H 5262 · added = only in HC 56.

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2025-2026 Bill 5262 Text of Previous Version (Feb.
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026 By:
26, 2026) - South Carolina Legislature Online South Carolina General Assembly126th Session, 2025-2026Bill 5262Indicates Matter StrickenIndicates New Matter(Text matches printed bills.
Representatives Hall, Barton, Boyd To:
Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)                 A house RESOLUTION   to urge congress to issue an armed forces expeditionary medal, or similar recognition, to all United States troops who served in Honduras from 1981 to 1992.
Rules (19th), Byrd, Carpenter, Eubanks, Hulum, Morgan, Newman, Pigott, Tullos HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO.
  Whereas, South Carolina believes that all service members should be respected for their service, always receive their earned entitlements, and be recognized for the sacrifices they and their loved ones have made on behalf of this great country;
56 A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION MEMORIALIZING THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS TO AUTHORIZE AND DIRECT THE ISSUANCE OF THE ARMED FORCES EXPEDITIONARY MEDAL TO VETERANS OF THE UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES WHO SERVED IN HONDURAS FROM 1981 THROUGH 1992.
and   Whereas, the United States military maintained a presence in Honduras throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, offering training, providing combat support, and conducting military exercises with the host nation;
WHEREAS, between 1981 and 1992, members of the United States Armed Forces were deployed to Honduras in support of United States military operations and regional security objectives during a period of significant geopolitical instability in Central America;
and   Whereas, the presence of the United States troops served as a deterrent to aggression in the region and as a means of support for democratic values through civil action in Honduran communities;
and WHEREAS, these operations were conducted in furtherance of United States national security interests, including efforts to deter the expansion of communist influence throughout the region and to stabilize democratic governments in Central America;
and   Whereas, United States troops experienced hostile fire and imminent danger, and at least one service member received a purple heart because of terrorist activity;
and WHEREAS, service members stationed in Honduras during this period operated under hazardous and austere conditions, often in support of joint and combined operations, training exercises, and contingency missions associated with regional conflict;
and   Whereas, United States service members lost their lives while in Honduras due to terrorist activity and hazardous circumstances;
and WHEREAS, between 1981 and 1992, 47 Purple Hearts were awarded to service members for wounds sustained during operations H.
and   Whereas, all service members who serve or have served in hostile environments should be appropriately recognized by the issuance of an Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal or similar recognition;
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and   Whereas, it is fitting and appropriate for Congress to recognize all United States troops who served in Honduras from 1981 to 1992.
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Now, therefore,   Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
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  That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, urge Congress to issue an Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, or similar recognition, to all United States troops who served in Honduras from to 1992.
56 *HR26/R2650* ~ OFFICIAL ~ N1/2 26/HR26/R2650 PAGE 1 (DJ\KW) connected to this mission, two Prisoner of War Medals were issued, and four Air Medals were awarded, reflecting the dangerous nature of the service performed;
  Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to majority and minority leaders of the United States Senate, the majority and minority leaders of the United States House of Representatives, and to each member of Congress elected from this State.
and WHEREAS, the awarding of these decorations evidences the presence of hostile or imminent-danger conditions consistent with the criteria traditionally associated with expeditionary military operations;
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and WHEREAS, in 1996, the United States Congress authorized and the President of the United States approved the issuance of the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM) to veterans who served in El Salvador between 1981 and 1992, yet veterans who served in Honduras during the same period were not included in that authorization;
and WHEREAS, many United States military personnel supporting operations in El Salvador were stationed in or operated from Honduras, creating a disparity in recognition among similarly situated service members;
and WHEREAS, national veterans service organizations, including the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, and the Disabled American Veterans, have adopted formal resolutions supporting the issuance of the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal to veterans who served in Honduras during the specified period;
and WHEREAS, multiple states have adopted or are actively considering concurrent resolutions memorializing Congress to take corrective action, including North Dakota, New Jersey, Missouri, H.
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56 *HR26/R2650* ~ OFFICIAL ~ 26/HR26/R2650 PAGE 2(DJ\KW) Ohio, and Iowa, with additional states engaged in review or drafting processes;
and WHEREAS, equitable recognition of military service strengthens morale among veterans, honors sacrifice, and preserves the integrity of the nation's system of military awards and decorations;
and WHEREAS, the omission of Honduras service from prior authorization has created a longstanding inequity for veterans who served honorably and under hazardous conditions in defense of the interests of the United States;
and WHEREAS, it is imperative that action is taken on a national level, in order to ensure that the brave service members of our country's armed forces are given the just recognition they are deserving of the selfless display of heroism and patriotism in the face of adversity in furtherance of protecting the principles of freedom and democracy:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby respectfully memorialize the United States Congress to enact legislation authorizing and directing the Secretary of Defense to designate service in Honduras between January 1, 1981, and December 31, 1992, as qualifying service for the award of the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That Congress is urged to provide for equitable and retroactive issuance of the Armed Forces H.
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56 *HR26/R2650* ~ OFFICIAL ~ 26/HR26/R2650 PAGE 3(DJ\KW) Expeditionary Medal to all eligible veterans who served in Honduras during the specified period.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the President of the United States, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of the Army, the Secretary of the Navy, the Secretary of the Air Force, to each member of the State of Mississippi's Congressional delegation, and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.
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56 *HR26/R2650* ~ OFFICIAL ~ 26/HR26/R2650 ST:
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal;
urge PAGE 4(DJ\KW) Congress to issue to veterans who served in Honduras from 1981-1992.