By:  Whitmire, Gallegos                              S.C.R. No. 102

         97S1542/1                           

                            SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

 1-1           WHEREAS, The Legislature of the State of Texas joins the

 1-2     citizens of Houston in paying tribute to the memory of Assistant

 1-3     Fire Chief Dennis W. Holder, who died November 23, 1995, at the age

 1-4     of 59; and

 1-5           WHEREAS, Born on March 15, 1936, in Goree, Texas, he

 1-6     graduated from Wichita Falls High School; and

 1-7           WHEREAS, Joining the Houston Fire Department in September,

 1-8     1957, he distinguished himself through a lifetime of service to the

 1-9     Houston community; and

1-10           WHEREAS, Promoted to Assistant Fire Chief on October 31,

1-11     1981, he was the last Assistant Chief promoted under the Civil

1-12     Service process; and

1-13           WHEREAS, During the course of his career, this highly

1-14     regarded gentleman played an important role in the development of

1-15     the department; he established  job-related EEOC/federal court

1-16     approved entrance standards for the recruitment of Houston Fire

1-17     Department personnel; and

1-18           WHEREAS, An exemplary leader, he assisted in the design and

1-19     implementation of the 911 system, and he was instrumental in

1-20     integrating the EMS into the fire department; and

1-21           WHEREAS, Noted for his excellence and dedication to his work,

1-22     he played a major role in bringing about the Deferred Option Plan

1-23     and other pension benefit enhancements for Houston Fire Fighters;

 2-1     and

 2-2           WHEREAS, A member of Local 341, he served as an outstanding

 2-3     trustee from 1970 to 1971; serving as Legislative Director from

 2-4     1972 to 1983, Chief Holder successfully lobbied the Texas

 2-5     Legislature on behalf of Houston Fire Fighters and the City of

 2-6     Houston; and

 2-7           WHEREAS, A man of many talents and achievements, Chief Holder

 2-8     drafted legislation for statewide fire protective clothing

 2-9     standards; and

2-10           WHEREAS, Dennis Holder served as Trustee for the Houston

2-11     Firemen's Relief and Retirement Fund from 1988 to 1995 and as Chair

2-12     since 1990; during his tenure, fund assets grew from $480 million

2-13     to $895 million; and

2-14           WHEREAS, His exemplary commitment to his vocation earned him

2-15     the respect and admiration of his colleagues; he is greatly missed;

2-16     and

2-17           WHEREAS, Chief Holder left a legacy of compassion and

2-18     commitment that will be remembered with gratitude by all those who

2-19     knew and loved him; now, therefore, be it

2-20           RESOLVED, That the 75th Legislature of the State of Texas,

2-21     hereby extend sincere condolences to the family of Dennis W.

2-22     Holder: his wife, Linda; his father and mother, Carl and Esther

2-23     Holder; his children, Roger, Randy, Laura, and Dana; his sister,

2-24     Betty Williamson; his stepchildren, Barbara, Rock, Karen, and Pam

2-25     Engelkirk; and his four grandchildren; and, be it further

 3-1           RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be prepared for his

 3-2     family as an expression of deepest sympathy from the Texas

 3-3     Legislature, and that when the legislature adjourns this day, it do

 3-4     so in memory of Assistant Chief Dennis W. Holder.