H.R. No. 181R E S O L U T I O N WHEREAS, Billy F. Ingram of Dallas has deservedly been named the recipient of an Outstanding Texan Award in the area of public safety by the Texas Legislative Black Caucus; and WHEREAS, Born in Memphis, Tennessee, Mr. Ingram attended the University of Tennessee at Knoxville; he later went on to become a state Certified Firefighter Emergency Medical Technician and a state Certified Field Examiner and Intermediate Firefighter Instructor; and WHEREAS, Mr. Ingram joined the Dallas Fire-Rescue Department in 1982 and currently serves as a recruiter; he is an active member of the International Association of Black Professional Firefighters and was elected in 2000 as president of the Dallas Black Firefighters Association (BFFA), in which capacity he has been instrumental in expanding membership and fostering firefighters' volunteer service to the community; and WHEREAS, Among the initiatives undertaken during his tenure as BFFA president have been an after-school tutoring and mentoring program, a summer "Break the Cycle" program, and a Fire-Rescue Department Explorer program; Mr. Ingram has also led BFFA participation in charity fund-raising drives, sought a $25,000 grant to provide smoke detectors for residences in low-income neighborhoods, and played a vital role in founding the Vincent Davis Summer Camp and the United Firefighters Community Vanguard Foundation; he has further dedicated substantial time and energy as a mentor to two students and as a swimming instructor for children at Skyline Ranch and St. Phillips School; and WHEREAS, In recognition of his exceptional contributions to his fellow Texans, Mr. Ingram has been accorded many honors, including the Distinguished Service Award from the Dallas Fire-Rescue Department, the Medal of Valor from the BFFA, the Black Chamber of Commerce Community Service Award, and the Pinnacle Award from Dallas Community Leadership; and WHEREAS, Billy Ingram has enhanced the quality of life in Dallas in countless ways, and his wholehearted service to others is a source of great pride and inspiration to all who know him; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 78th Texas Legislature hereby congratulate Billy F. Ingram on being named an Outstanding Texan in the area of public safety by the Texas Legislative Black Caucus and extend to him warmest best wishes for continued success; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for Mr. Ingram as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Giddings ______________________________ Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 181 was adopted by the House on February 12, 2003, by a non-record vote. ______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House