1-1 SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 580 1-2 WHEREAS, The retirement of D. R. "Shorty" Williams, 1-3 Battalion Chief of the Garland Fire Department, brings to a close 1-4 the remarkable career of this distinguished public servant; and 1-5 WHEREAS, When Chief Williams joined the Garland Fire 1-6 Department in 1957 it consisted of only three fire stations with 1-7 23 personnel serving a city of 18,000 residents; during his almost 1-8 42 years of dedicated service he has seen the department increase 1-9 to 234 employees and the city grow to its current population of more 1-10 than 200,000 citizens; and 1-11 WHEREAS, Throughout his lengthy tenure Chief Williams has 1-12 served under 15 mayors, 10 city managers, and seven fire chiefs; 1-13 this esteemed gentleman became one of the first firefighters to 1-14 hold the post of battalion chief when he was promoted to the newly 1-15 created position in 1972; and 1-16 WHEREAS, A vital and valued member of the Garland 1-17 community, Chief Williams has made numerous contributions to the 1-18 Garland Fire Department and to the Lone Star State; in 1998 his 1-19 devoted public service was recognized when he was named Firefighter 1-20 of the Year; and 1-21 WHEREAS, D. R. "Shorty" Williams has distinguished 1-22 himself as a firefighter of ability and integrity, and it is 1-23 indeed appropriate to pay tribute to him at this time; now, 1-24 therefore, be it 2-1 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 2-2 76th Legislature, hereby recognize Battalion Chief Williams on the 2-3 occasion of his retirement and extend to him sincere best wishes 2-4 for continued success and happiness; and, be it further 2-5 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be 2-6 prepared for Chief Williams as an expression of high regard by the 2-7 Texas Senate. 2-8 Carona 2-9 ______________________________________ 2-10 President of the Senate 2-11 I hereby certify that the above 2-12 Resolution was adopted by the Senate 2-13 on April 8, 1999. 2-14 ______________________________________ 2-15 Secretary of the Senate 2-16 ______________________________________ 2-17 Member, Texas Senate