By Palmer H.R. No. 237 76R7126 JHS-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The tragic loss of Fort Worth firefighter Brian 1-2 William Collins on February 15, 1999, at the age of 35, is indeed 1-3 cause for much grief and sadness, and we join his family and 1-4 friends in mourning the passing of this heroic individual; and 1-5 WHEREAS, A 15-year veteran Fort Worth firefighter, Lieutenant 1-6 Collins perished while battling a blaze that quickly engulfed Lake 1-7 Worth's Precious Faith Temple, giving his life in the line of duty 1-8 while fulfilling his obligation as a member of River Oaks Volunteer 1-9 Fire Department, his community fire department; and 1-10 WHEREAS, This dedicated public servant was a passionate 1-11 defender of life and property, and his commitment to the dangerous 1-12 but vital occupation of firefighting was equaled by few and 1-13 surpassed by none; and 1-14 WHEREAS, An active and devoted member of Birchman Baptist 1-15 Church, Lieutenant Collins also served as emergency management 1-16 coordinator and fire marshal for River Oaks, sharing his many years 1-17 of experience and expertise with the residents of that close-knit 1-18 community; he was a former chairman of the park board and dedicated 1-19 countless hours to the improvement of his neighborhood's public 1-20 spaces; and 1-21 WHEREAS, This thoughtful and generous man also appeared at 1-22 area schools and local festivals as part of the Fort Worth Fire 1-23 Department's "Learn Not to Burn" campaign, and his contributions in 1-24 this regard surely imparted many valuable lessons to the children 2-1 of Fort Worth; he was recognized many times for his excellence as a 2-2 firefighter and received several awards, including the A. T. 2-3 Huffhines Fireman of the Year award in 1984 and 1997 and the Fire 2-4 Officer of the Year Award in 1985; and 2-5 WHEREAS, Brian Collins truly relished the responsibilities of 2-6 being a firefighter, and his many years of service to his fellow 2-7 citizens will not soon be forgotten; he was a role model not just 2-8 as a professional, but also as a human being, and while his loss is 2-9 painful to all who knew and loved him, his spirit will undoubtedly 2-10 live on in our hearts and minds; now, therefore, be it 2-11 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 76th Texas 2-12 Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Brian William Collins 2-13 and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his 2-14 wife, Mary Collins; to his children, Ryan William and Hannah Marie 2-15 Collins and his unborn son; to his parents, the Reverend John 2-16 Collins and Marie Collins; to his brother, Michael B. Collins; to 2-17 his sisters, Sharon Moore and Denice Crawford; to his grandparents, 2-18 Roy and Goldie Hurley; to his parents-in-law, Doug and Rosemarie 2-19 Ray; and to the many other relatives and friends of this beloved 2-20 gentleman; and, be it further 2-21 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-22 prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas 2-23 House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of 2-24 Brian William Collins.