By Palmer                                        H.R. No. 372

      75R9572 JHS-D                           

                                 R E S O L U T I O N

 1-1           WHEREAS, The Texas House of Representatives is proud to honor

 1-2     the winners of the 1996 Eagle Mountain Volunteer Fire Department

 1-3     (VFD) awards and to pay tribute to their many noteworthy

 1-4     accomplishments; and

 1-5           WHEREAS, Lieutenant Kirk Myers has been selected as Officer

 1-6     of the Year for 1996, and this exemplary gentleman is certainly

 1-7     deserving of this fine accolade; Lieutenant Myers has set a

 1-8     positive example for his fellow volunteers by making his extensive

 1-9     knowledge available to less-experienced firefighters and by

1-10     displaying a willingness to provide additional training for those

1-11     individuals wishing to broaden their professional skills; and

1-12           WHEREAS, Junior Firefighter of the Year Chad Barton has

1-13     dedicated himself to learning the difficult and demanding skills of

1-14     fire-fighting and emergency medical service; Mr. Barton

1-15     demonstrated his ability and composure last year when he helped to

1-16     save the life of his friend Justin Stewart after a near-tragic

1-17     swimming accident, and the sterling example he continues to set has

1-18     been nothing short of inspirational; and

1-19           WHEREAS, Steve Eck is the 1996 Eagle Mountain VFD Firefighter

1-20     of the Year; in addition to offering his wealth of experience and

1-21     expertise to his fellow firefighters, Mr. Eck has sacrificed many

1-22     hours of his own time to assist with important duties and has gone

1-23     the extra mile to ensure that the department's equipment is always

1-24     in optimal working condition; and

 2-1           WHEREAS, Rookies of the Year Twila Carnley and James Temple

 2-2     have both contributed greatly to the betterment of the Eagle

 2-3     Mountain VFD; Ms. Carnley is studying to become a paramedic, while

 2-4     Mr. Temple has continued to devote himself to the many functions of

 2-5     the department, demonstrating as much enthusiasm for learning new

 2-6     medical skills as he does for assisting in fund-raising efforts;

 2-7     and

 2-8           WHEREAS, Eric Gudjohnsen's hard work and compassionate nature

 2-9     have helped this commendable gentleman to earn the 1996 Paramedic

2-10     of the Year award; his altruistic attitude is well known among his

2-11     peers, as is his calm demeanor in the face of an emergency

2-12     situation, and the commitment displayed by Mr. Gudjohnsen is a

2-13     tribute to paramedics everywhere; and

2-14           WHEREAS, In his capacity as Emergency Medical Services

2-15     Medical Director, Dr.  William Seger has demonstrated quality

2-16     decision-making skills and excellent leadership; his active role in

2-17     this vital organization has distinguished him from his peers and

2-18     provided comfort and security to his fellow Texans; and

2-19           WHEREAS, Each of these outstanding individuals has

2-20     established a standard of excellence that will undoubtedly benefit

2-21     both their profession and their community, and the tremendous

2-22     efforts of these fine Texans are truly deserving of special

2-23     legislative recognition; now, therefore, be it

2-24           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 75th Texas

2-25     Legislature hereby congratulate the 1996 Eagle Mountain Volunteer

2-26     Fire Department award winners and extend to them sincere best

2-27     wishes for continued success and happiness in the years to come;

 3-1     and, be it further

 3-2           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be

 3-3     prepared for each of these dedicated individuals as an expression

 3-4     of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives.