By Wise                                                H.R. No. 225
         77R5455 MJS-D                           
                                 R E S O L U T I O N
 1-1           WHEREAS, The retirement of Lieutenant Colonel Esteban
 1-2     Martinez III from the Texas Army National Guard brings to a close
 1-3     more than 25 years of distinguished military service by this
 1-4     notable Katy resident; and
 1-5           WHEREAS, Born on October 11, 1956, Mr. Martinez graduated
 1-6     from Mission High School and attended Texas State Technical
 1-7     Institute and Mercer County Community College; and
 1-8           WHEREAS, This intrepid gentleman enlisted in the United
 1-9     States Marine Corps in 1974 and served the Corps with distinction;
1-10     upon separation from his unit, he joined the Texas Army National
1-11     Guard, rising through the ranks and developing important leadership
1-12     and organizational skills; in 1999 he was selected to command the
1-13     1st Battalion, 141st Infantry, and the following year he took his
1-14     staff to Honduras as part of a United Nations peacekeeping
1-15     exercise; and
1-16           WHEREAS, Throughout his outstanding tenure in the military,
1-17     Lieutenant Colonel Martinez received many commendations and
1-18     accolades, including the Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf,
1-19     Army Achievement Medal with Three Oak Leaf Clusters, Desert
1-20     Shield/Desert Storm Campaign Medal, Lone Star Distinguished Service
1-21     Medal, and numerous others; and
1-22           WHEREAS, In addition, he has donated his time and
1-23     considerable talents to the community and is the president of the
1-24     Lone Star Chapter of the National Infantryman's Association and is
 2-1     a member of the National Guard Association of the United States and
 2-2     the Rio Grande Valley Police Chiefs Association; he also serves as
 2-3     a board member of the San Jacinto Chapter of the Association of the
 2-4     United States Army and was formerly a member of the  Mid-Valley
 2-5     Airport Board, Weslaco Rotary Club, and Weslaco Crimestoppers; and
 2-6           WHEREAS, His successful record of service speaks volumes
 2-7     about his devotion to duty and dedication to the well-being of his
 2-8     fellow Texas and United States citizens; his commitment and courage
 2-9     have helped maintain the peace and make our country a safer place
2-10     for everyone; and
2-11           WHEREAS, A native Texan, Esteban Martinez is a model officer
2-12     who upholds the time-honored military values of honor, discipline,
2-13     integrity, and character, and it is truly a privilege to pay
2-14     tribute to this esteemed gentleman as he begins a new chapter in
2-15     his life; now, therefore, be it
2-16           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas
2-17     Legislature hereby congratulate Lieutenant Colonel Esteban Martinez
2-18     III on his retirement from the military and extend to him sincere
2-19     best wishes for good fortune and happiness in his future endeavors;
2-20     and, be it further
2-21           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
2-22     prepared for Lieutenant Colonel Martinez as an expression of high
2-23     regard by the Texas House of Representatives.