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