88R19067 CJM-D

By: Martinez H.R. No. 597

R E S O L U T I O N

WHEREAS, Firefighters from across Texas are gathering at the State Capitol on March 21, 2023, for Firefighter Appreciation Day and a memorial service honoring their fallen comrades; and

WHEREAS, In the event of an accident, medical emergency, or large-scale disaster, firefighters are often the first on the scene to deliver lifesaving care and assistance; although we are fortunate that so many of our citizens willingly accept this noble calling, their work is not without risk, and these exceptional individuals routinely face great hazards in the line of duty; and

WHEREAS, At the ceremony in Austin, 31 firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice from 2019 through 2022 are being honored by their peers and their families; these heroes include Robert V. Liguez, Alice; Michael F. White, Rodney Kelley, and Travis L. Maher, Austin; Robert McKay, Baytown; Lance Norwood, College Station; Timothy Allen Smith, Corpus Christi; David Leos, Dallas; G. Wade Cannon, Flower Mound; David P. Greene, Fort Worth; Curtis R. Bruce and Richard Brad Hargrave, Garland; Robert A. Schlieter, William E. Gunderson, Gaston M. Popovich, Tanner Graham Reed, Jordan D. Downing, Walter Graves Jr., and Malcolm S. Willis, Houston; Christopher R. Fason, Hutchins; Patrick M. Bergman, Killeen; Jesse C. Turrubiate, La Marque; Erik D. Segura and Gary W. Blomquist, Laredo; Landun W. Charles, Lewisville; Joseph M. Faunce, Shody Lee Henshaw, Lyle J. Crawford Jr., and Richard A. Cortez, San Antonio; Roger W. Dean III, Seguin; and Robert Moon, Tyler; and

WHEREAS, Every day, firefighters and other emergency responders risk their own lives to protect the lives of their fellow citizens, and these skilled and courageous men and women deserve the heartfelt gratitude of every Texan; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Texas firefighters who have died in the line of duty and recognize March 21, 2023, as Firefighter Appreciation Day at the State Capitol; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That when the Texas House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Robert V. Liguez, Michael F. White, Rodney Kelley, Travis L. Maher, Robert McKay, Lance Norwood, Timothy Allen Smith, David Leos, G. Wade Cannon, David P. Greene, Curtis R. Bruce, Richard Brad Hargrave, Robert A. Schlieter, William E. Gunderson, Gaston M. Popovich, Tanner Graham Reed, Jordan D. Downing, Walter Graves Jr., Malcolm S. Willis, Christopher R. Fason, Patrick M. Bergman, Jesse C. Turrubiate, Erik D. Segura, Gary W. Blomquist, Landun W. Charles, Joseph M. Faunce, Shody Lee Henshaw, Lyle J. Crawford Jr., Richard A. Cortez, Roger W. Dean III, and Robert Moon.