U.S. Senators Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and John Cornyn (R-Texas) on Wednesday introduced a Senate resolution that honors Richard Overton.
Overton, an Austinite who lived to be the oldest World War II veteran, died in late December at the age of 112.
“Richard Arvin Overton is an American hero that exemplified strength, sacrifice, and service to the United States of America,” reads the resolution. “Now, therefore, be it resolved, that the Senate — extends its heartfelt sympathies to the family of Richard Arvin Overton; honors the life of Richard Arvin Overton and his service to the United States of America.”
“His comments about the keys to his longevity and his long life, in particular his daily routine, made Richard an internet sensation,” said Cornyn. “His penchant for enjoying coffee with whiskey and 12 cigars a day won hearts and caused all of us to question the secret to his long life. Richard also enjoyed a bowl of ice cream every night, always butter pecan. He called this the ‘Overton Diet’ and welcomed anyone interested to give it a shot.”
Cornyn also recalled the day he and his wife, Sandy, met Overton at his home at the age of 107. He said he learned that Overton had just finished mowing his own lawn that very morning.
"I introduced a resolution with my colleague, Senator Cruz, to honor this great man and his military service and his enduring legacy," said the senator. "Our country's lost a true patriot, our state has lost a legend, and our community has lost a dear friend.”
You can read the full text of the resolution below:
Honoring the life of Richard Arvin Overton.
Whereas, on May 11, 1906, Richard Arvin Overton was born to Gentry Overton, Sr. and Elizabeth “Lizzie” Overton in Bastrop County, Texas;
Whereas, in 1940, Richard Arvin Overton enlisted in the United States Army and began his military service at Fort Sam Houston, Texas;
Whereas, from 1942 to 1945, Richard Arvin Overton bravely served in the Pacific Theater, including stops in Guam, Palau and Iwo Jima, with the 1887th Engineer Aviation Battalion, an all-African American unit, until the conclusion of World War II;
Whereas Richard Arvin Overton attained the rank of corporal in the United States Army;
Whereas Richard Arvin Overton earned the Combat Infantry Badge, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Army Good Conduct Medal, American Defense Service Medal, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal and the Expert Rifle Marksmanship Badge;
Whereas, Richard Arvin Overton returned to Austin, Texas following the conclusion of World War II, and resided there until his death on December 27, 2018;
Whereas, on November 11, 2013, Richard Arvin Overton was honored by former President Barack Obama at Arlington National Cemetery for his courage and commitment to service in combat zones such as Pearl Harbor, the Marshall Islands, Guam, Palau and Iwo Jima;
Whereas, on January 3, 2015, Richard Arvin Overton represented The Greatest Generation at the 2015 U.S. Army All-American Bowl, which was held in San Antonio, Texas;
Whereas, on May 3, 2016, Richard Arvin Overton became the oldest, surviving American veteran following the death of Frank Levingston, a fellow World War II veteran;
Whereas Richard Arvin Overton became a supercentenarian on May 11, 2016;
Whereas Richard Arvin Overton’s birthday, May 11, is officially designated as “Richard Overton Day” in Austin, Texas;
Whereas, in 2017, the City of Austin, Texas officially renamed the street where Richard Arvin Overton resided to “Richard Overton Avenue:”
Whereas Richard Arvin Overton shall be laid to rest with full military honors at the Texas State Cemetery in Austin, Texas;
Whereas Richard Arvin Overton is an American hero that exemplified strength, sacrifice, and service to the United States of America;
Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate—
(1) extends its heartfelt sympathies to the family of Richard Arvin Overton;
(2) honors the life of Richard Arvin Overton and his service to the United States of America.
(3) honors and, on behalf of the United States, expresses deep appreciation for the outstanding and important service of Richard Arvin Overton to his country; and
(4) respectfully requests that the Secretary of the Senate communicate this resolution to the House of Representatives and transmit an enrolled copy of this resolution to the family of Richard Arvin Overton.