By Moncrief S.R. No. 605 76R11525 ELG-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, Texas has a willing and dedicated force of volunteer 1-2 firefighters who stand ready to meet the challenge of protecting 1-3 the citizens and property of our state; and 1-4 WHEREAS, Although these courageous individuals serve without 1-5 compensation, often at the risk of their own lives, many of them 1-6 are not eligible for retirement, disability, or death benefits in 1-7 exchange for their years of dedicated service; and 1-8 WHEREAS, Indeed, the recent deaths of three heroic North 1-9 Texas volunteer firefighters, who made the ultimate sacrifice for 1-10 the safety of their neighbors and fellow Texans, serve to 1-11 illustrate the grievous injustice that results when the families of 1-12 volunteer firefighters are not adequately provided for in the event 1-13 of their disability or death; and 1-14 WHEREAS, As a symbol of the deep respect and admiration held 1-15 for them, the legislature established the Texas statewide emergency 1-16 services personnel retirement fund in 1977 to provide for 1-17 retirement, disability, and death benefits for volunteer 1-18 firefighters; and 1-19 WHEREAS, Governing bodies of volunteer fire departments must 1-20 specifically elect to participate in this optional retirement fund, 1-21 and volunteer firefighters who are members are eligible for death 1-22 and disability benefits regardless of whether their injuries occur 1-23 on or off duty; now, therefore, be it 1-24 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the 76th Texas Legislature 2-1 hereby urge the governing bodies of all Texas political 2-2 subdivisions that have or use volunteer fire departments to elect 2-3 to participate in the Texas statewide emergency personnel services 2-4 retirement fund; and, be it further 2-5 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-6 prepared and forwarded to the fire fighters' pension commissioner, 2-7 with the request that the commissioner distribute or otherwise 2-8 publicize the senate's strong sentiments regarding this issue to 2-9 the governing bodies of the appropriate political subdivisions.