SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 19

WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to recognize Lieutenant Colonel Eric D. Patterson, who is retiring as commander and conductor of the Air National Guard Band of the Southwest after 24 years of outstanding military service; and

WHEREAS, Lieutenant Colonel Patterson enlisted in the Air National Guard as a band officer in 1997 following a successful competitive audition; in 1998, he became commander of the 562nd Air Force Band, and he served in that position for 14 years; the band became known for its innovative techniques, and for several years, it accounted for 40 percent of all performances by Air National Guard Bands in the United States; and

WHEREAS, In 2011, he was deployed as the officer in charge of Blue Hawk, the pop-rock ensemble of the 531st Air Force Band of the Texas Air National Guard; later that year, he assumed command of the Texas Air National Guard Band, which became known as the Air National Guard Band of the Southwest; and

WHEREAS, As commander, he took charge of restructuring the band's departments, and he initiated a successful student recruiting program and promoted a major increase in performance opportunities; he served as conductor at the ceremonies of the opening of the George W. Bush Presidential Library, and from 2017 through 2020, he served on the Chief of the National Guard Bureau's National Guard Innovation Team; and

WHEREAS, Over the course of his distinguished career, he conducted live and televised military concert band performances that reached millions of people; he produced two compact discs of American music that were named the Best-Ever Air National Guard Band recordings; it is truly fitting that he receive special recognition for his achievements; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 87th Legislature, hereby commend Lieutenant Colonel Eric D. Patterson on his exceptional service as commander and conductor of the Air National Guard Band of the Southwest and extend to him best wishes for continued success in all his endeavors; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for him as an expression of high regard from the Texas Senate.

Nelson

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on February 9, 2021.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate