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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Tom Danaher of Wichita Falls has been presented a |
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Living Legends in Aviation award by Airport Journals; and |
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WHEREAS, This prestigious honor is awarded annually to |
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individuals who have made significant contributions to the history |
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of flight, and with his receipt of this notable accolade, Mr. |
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Danaher joins the ranks of such notable figures as Chuck Yeager, |
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Buzz Aldrin, and Neil Armstrong; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Danaher began his career as a pilot in 1942, a |
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year after he graduated from high school, when he joined the Navy V5 |
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pilot training program; in the Marine Corps during World War II, he |
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flew the Grumman F6F-5N Hellcat night fighter and was credited with |
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shooting down a number of Japanese bombers; and |
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WHEREAS, Continuing his service to his country during the |
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Korean War, he piloted the F3D Skynight and escorted B-29s during |
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night bombing missions and night combat air patrols, and he was a |
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part of the last combat mission flown by the B-29s; and |
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WHEREAS, Throughout the ensuing years, Mr. Danaher has |
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continued to distinguish himself both above and below the clouds; |
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he has flown to South America, Africa, Europe, and the Middle East; |
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piloted his 1948 185 HP Bonanza across the Atlantic for an audience |
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with Pope Pius XII; opened the Lake Wichita Airport; and piloted |
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planes in more than 20 movies; and |
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WHEREAS, In Steven Spielberg's words, Mr. Danaher is "the |
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embodiment of America and a damn great flier," and he may truly take |
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great pride in his unique and accomplished career; now, therefore, |
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be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 80th Texas |
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Legislature hereby congratulate Tom Danaher on his receipt of the |
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Living Legends in Aviation award from Airport Journals and extend |
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to him best wishes for the future; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for Mr. Danaher as an expression of high regard by the |
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Texas House of Representatives. |
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Farabee |
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______________________________ |
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Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.R. No. 1370 was adopted by the House on April |
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13, 2007, by a non-record vote. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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