By McClendon H.R. No. 747 76R12146 MDM-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, Residents of Central Texas will long remember the 1-2 October 1998 floods not only for the weather's catastrophic effects 1-3 on people and property but also for the unwavering courage 1-4 displayed by members of the San Antonio Fire Department in the face 1-5 of significant peril; and 1-6 WHEREAS, Although the property damage wreaked by this natural 1-7 disaster reached millions of dollars, the degree and depth of human 1-8 suffering resulting from this tragedy cannot be so easily counted, 1-9 and our hearts go out to those who have experienced loss; and 1-10 WHEREAS, Throughout the weekend of October 17-18, the San 1-11 Antonio Fire Department responded to a barrage of calls for help in 1-12 life-threatening situations resulting from the fast-rising 1-13 floodwaters and torrential rains; and 1-14 WHEREAS, The city's firefighters handled more than 400 1-15 high-water rescues from the predawn hours Saturday to midmorning 1-16 Sunday, retrieving hundreds of citizens stranded in their cars or 1-17 on the rooftops of their homes; rescuers maneuvered fire trucks, 1-18 boats, Jet Skis, helicopters, and inflatable craft in their 1-19 diligent efforts to save lives; and 1-20 WHEREAS, Although the rescuers themselves were frequently in 1-21 danger from the treacherous water, the selfless individuals of the 1-22 San Antonio Fire Department demonstrated strength of body and 1-23 spirit and a steadfast devotion to assisting those in need; and 1-24 WHEREAS, The San Antonio firefighters whose commitment to 2-1 their fellow man galvanized their actions above and beyond the call 2-2 of duty are truly worthy of our highest praise and recognition, for 2-3 their valor and compassion exemplify the highest ideals of the 2-4 fire-fighting profession; now, therefore, be it 2-5 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 76th Texas 2-6 Legislature hereby commend the courageous members of the San 2-7 Antonio Fire Department, whose exceptional actions during the 1998 2-8 flood in Central Texas affected the lives and well-being of so 2-9 many.