By Madden H.R. No. 550 77R4814 MDM-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The untimely passing of Frisco Assistant Fire Chief 1-2 Gary Burns on September 22, 1999, at the age of 43, was a loss not 1-3 only to his family and his fellow firefighters but to the entire 1-4 community as well; and 1-5 WHEREAS, Born on August 25, 1956, in Port Arthur to James and 1-6 Gerry Burns, this esteemed Texan exemplified in his personal and 1-7 professional conduct the virtues of courage, integrity, and 1-8 unwavering dedication, and his commitment to his fellow 1-9 firefighters, as well as to the people he served, earned him the 1-10 respect of all who knew him; and 1-11 WHEREAS, Assistant Fire Chief Burns joined the Frisco Fire 1-12 Department in 1988, when he participated in the first Frisco Fire 1-13 Academy; he and his wife, the former Linda Hammonds, were two of 1-14 the city's first fire department personnel to attend paramedic 1-15 school; and 1-16 WHEREAS, He generously served his community with his personal 1-17 time as well as on the job; he was a charter member of the Frisco 1-18 Rotary Club, a former city council member, and the longtime owner 1-19 and operator of Frisco's Snap-E-Jack convenience store; in 1-20 addition, he was a congregant of First Baptist Church of Frisco, a 1-21 Master Mason, and a 32nd-Degree Scottish Rite Mason; and 1-22 WHEREAS, Those who were privileged to share his friendship 1-23 and wisdom will long miss his presence, and his legacy of public 1-24 service will live on for many years to come; now, therefore, be it 2-1 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas 2-2 Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Gary Burns and extend 2-3 deepest sympathy to the members of his family: to his wife, Linda 2-4 Burns; to his daughters, Crystal Sherilyn Burns and Kristen Ashley 2-5 Burns; to his stepson, Billy Scott Buckaloo; to his mother, Gerry 2-6 Burns; to his sister, Cindy Burns Hooks; and to all of his many 2-7 other friends and relatives; and, be it further 2-8 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-9 prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas 2-10 House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of 2-11 Gary Burns.