By Kubiak                                               H.R. No. 12

      75R486 WMS-D                           

                                 R E S O L U T I O N

 1-1           WHEREAS, The Brenham Fire Department has faithfully provided

 1-2     for the safety of local citizens and the protection of their

 1-3     property since the department's founding in 1867; and

 1-4           WHEREAS, The Brenham Hook and Ladder Company No. 1 and the

 1-5     Brenham Fire Protection Company were initially organized after

 1-6     several destructive blazes caused extensive damage within the city;

 1-7     the two organizations later merged and on June 10, 1867, the

 1-8     Brenham Volunteer Fire Department was recognized by city ordinance;

 1-9     and

1-10           WHEREAS, In response to two major fires in the 1870s, the

1-11     Brenham Fire Department purchased a Silsby Steam Engine in 1879,

1-12     and this state-of-the-art fire-fighting vehicle represented a

1-13     significant gain for the department as the pumper was capable of

1-14     delivering 600 gallons of water per minute; and

1-15           WHEREAS, Although the city's growth through the years has

1-16     presented the Brenham Fire Department with a variety of difficult

1-17     challenges, the brave individuals who have sworn to protect their

1-18     neighbors' lives and property from fire have been united in their

1-19     willingness to serve the public good; and

1-20           WHEREAS, The City of Brenham has provided unfailing support

1-21     to the Brenham Fire Department since its establishment, and the

1-22     community's continuing commitment to the department has helped to

1-23     make the Brenham Fire Department one of the finest in the region;

1-24     and

 2-1           WHEREAS, Those dedicated public servants who face the raging

 2-2     forces of nature in order to ensure a greater degree of security

 2-3     and safety for their fellow citizens provide a vital service that

 2-4     truly merits special legislative praise and recognition; now,

 2-5     therefore, be it

 2-6           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 75th Texas

 2-7     Legislature hereby honor the Brenham Fire Department for its

 2-8     remarkable history of community service; and, be it further

 2-9           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be

2-10     prepared for the Brenham Fire Department as an expression of high

2-11     regard by the Texas House of Representatives.