Tarrant County commissioners unanimously approved a resolution Tuesday honoring 101-year-old World War II veteran Cpl. Don Graves, but Tarrant County Commissioner Alisa Simmons (D-Precinct 2) called the measure “partisan and divisive” because it also condemned socialism and communism.
Tarrant County Commissioner Matt Krause (R-Precinct 3) introduced the measure, formally titled “Resolution Recognizing Corporal Don Graves for his Defense of Liberty and for His Role in Defeating Socialism and Related Ideologies.”
The resolution credited Graves with fighting socialism, communism, authoritarianism and fascism during the 36-day Battle of Iwo Jima. It also declared the commissioner’s court’s opposition to “the evils of socialism in all its forms” and any implementation of socialism in the United States.
The document states that Graves enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps at 17, carried a 72-pound flamethrower onto Iwo Jima at 19 and was among 18 surviving members of his 335-man unit when he left the island.
“What an honor and privilege it was to present Corporal Don Graves with a resolution today thanking him for his incredible service in World War 2,” Krause wrote after the meeting. “Don was involved in the battle of Iwo Jima and served as a flamethrower.”
“The resolution also said how dangerous and evil the ideologies of socialism and communism (among others) are to society,” Krause wrote. “Today in Tarrant County we boldly proclaimed that we reject socialism and it has no place in our county.”
Simmons seeks to strip ideological language
Simmons moved during the meeting to replace the resolution’s ideological language with text focused on Graves’ military service. When Krause asked which portion she found objectionable, Simmons responded, “The entire resolution.”
“I am not endorsing the historical inaccuracies, the conflation of distinct ideologies, or the present-day political commentary that you have added to this resolution,” Simmons said. “It’s partisan and divisive.”
The amendment failed 3-2. Tarrant County Judge Tim O’Hare (R-Tarrant County), Krause and Commissioner Manny Ramirez (R-Precinct 4) opposed it. Simmons and Commissioner Roderick Miles Jr. (D-Precinct 1) supported the change. All five members then approved the original resolution.
Simmons later said she wanted to remove “divisive, partisan language” and replace it with an “honest, dignified tribute” to Graves’ service.
The Dallas Express reached out to Simmons for additional comment about her objections but did not receive a response before publication.
Democrats distance themselves from socialism
The Tarrant County debate comes as some Democratic lawmakers and candidates have publicly distanced themselves from socialism. As previously reported by The Dallas Express, 13 Democratic House members and candidates signed a centrist initiative called Promise to America, which declares, “We are capitalist, not socialist.” The pledge also calls for secure borders, fiscal responsibility and national pride.
Provided by Dallas Express
