H.R. No. 509



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, The Austin Fire Department (AFD) is one of the 
Capital City's most valued resources, and the women and men who make 
up this dynamic workforce are to be commended for their dedication 
to the citizens of Austin; and
	WHEREAS, Voted "Best City Department" by Austin Chronicle
readers from 1997 to 2000, AFD benefits Austinites not only through 
its firefighting, fire prevention, and rescue services, but also 
through its participation in numerous charitable endeavors; and
	WHEREAS, In conjunction with the Austin Association of 
Professional Firefighters, the department supports such notable 
organizations as Big Brothers/Big Sisters, the Muscular Dystrophy 
Association, and Blue Santa; in 2002, the department chaired the 
City of Austin Combined Charities Campaign and raised the second 
largest amount of all city departments; and
	WHEREAS, AFD received fully accredited status from the 
Commission on Fire Accreditation International in March 2002, 
becoming just the 59th fully accredited fire department in the 
United States; in the past year, the department also saw increases 
in resuscitation rates for victims of cardiac arrest, and it 
maintained its high percentage of fires contained to one room; and
	WHEREAS, The Austin Fire Department has demonstrated a 
commitment to excellence in its service to the community, and its 
special recognition is truly deserved; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 78th Texas 
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the Austin Fire Department and 
extend best wishes to the women and men who have contributed to the 
success of this esteemed city department.

                                                                           Stick
                                                                       Rodriguez
                                                                        Naishtat
                                                                            Keel
                                                                          Baxter
                                                                           Dukes

                                                  ______________________________
                                                       Speaker of the House     

	I certify that H.R. No. 509 was adopted by the House on March 
19, 2003, by a non-record vote.

                                                  ______________________________
                                                     Chief Clerk of the House