Texas Legislature Moving Ahead With Plans To Honor Chris Kyle
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AUSTIN (CBSDFW.COM) - As federal efforts to honor 'American Sniper' Chris Kyle have stalled, the Texas Legislature is moving ahead with its own plans. A resolution to posthumously award Kyle with one of the highest honors in the state has passed favorably out of committee.
State Representative John Wray authored Texas House Concurrent Resolution 85 (HCR 85). Wray said, "While he [Kyle] may have believed he could have done more, we as a state should recognize his deeds of personal bravery and self-sacrifice and that they were so conspicuous that he deserves the Texas Legislative Medal of Honor."
Wray cited an example of Kyle's bravery in Fallujah in 2004, when he rescued two pinned civilian reporters and two Marines. "He moved them back through the fire to friendly lines. He immediately rejoined the fight until the last of the enemy fighters was eliminated."
Chief Petty Officer Christopher Scott "Chris" Kyle served four tours in Iraq, was awarded two Silver Stars and five Bronze Stars. Wray said Kyle also has another American record. "The Pentagon has confirmed 160 of Chris Kyle's kills, making him the deadliest sniper in U.S. history."
The federal bill, to have President Barack Obama award Kyle the Medal of Honor, remains in committee. The legislation introduced by Representative Roger Williams (R-TX 25th District) has come under fire from some veterans. Some call the bill a "political stunt" and say the push for Kyle to get the award is really a result of his best-selling book "American Sniper', that after his death was made into a movie of the same name.
Meanwhile, the State resolution is now headed to the full House for a vote.
Kyle, a former Navy SEAL, and his friend Chad Littlefield were gunned down at a shooting range in Stephenville on February 2, 2013. Former Marine Eddie Ray Routh killed the two. A North Texas jury rejected Routh's insanity defense and convicted him of capital murder in February 2015.
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