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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Operation Helmet, a nonprofit group founded by |
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citizens of Montgomery County, is providing a valuable service to |
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members of the United States armed forces by helping to safeguard |
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them from injuries; and |
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WHEREAS, Formed in 2004, Operation Helmet has worked to |
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provide combat personnel with an upgraded helmet padding system |
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that provides improved protection from bomb blasts; the |
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organization was founded by naval veteran and medical activist Dr. |
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Robert H. Meaders and his grandson, Sergeant Justin Meaders, a |
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member of the U.S. Marine Corps; after learning of the benefits of |
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the enhanced padding, Dr. Meaders led efforts to provide it to all |
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100 members of his grandson's company; and |
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WHEREAS, Quickly expanding its operations, Operation Helmet |
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began raising funds to underwrite the provision of the padding |
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system to other military personnel; since beginning this mission, |
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the organization has taken in $3 million in donations, which has |
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allowed it to provide 35,000 helmet upgrade kits; and |
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WHEREAS, This effort has been spearheaded by Operation |
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Helmet's hardworking staff, which includes a number of military |
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veterans in addition to Dr. Meaders; retired Marine Robert Fellers |
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is the vice president of fund-raising, Richard Vetter, retired from |
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the U.S. Army, is vice president and treasurer, and Jack Visage, |
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retired from the U.S. Navy, is vice president and secretary; other |
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key figures include Mark Meaders, a retired Air Force major, and |
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Carla Jean Meaders, a retired Air Force senior master sergeant, who |
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serve as directors of the organization's East Coast operations; and |
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WHEREAS, These dedicated men and women and all other |
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Operation Helmet volunteers receive no salary, allowing 99 percent |
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of all donations to be applied directly to providing the helmet |
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padding; and |
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WHEREAS, A wide range of corporate donors have supported |
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Operation Helmet, including North American Metals, Continental |
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Airlines, and Wal-Mart, as have generous individuals ranging from |
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schoolchildren to famous entertainers such as Cher; all have been |
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motivated by the idea of doing their part to aid the troops who |
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defend this nation; and |
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WHEREAS, By stepping forward to provide valuable equipment to |
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combat troops, Operation Helmet has greatly contributed to the |
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safety of military personnel serving in harm's way, and the |
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organization's steadfast commitment to its patriotic goal is in the |
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finest tradition of American volunteerism; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 80th Texas |
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Legislature hereby commend Operation Helmet for its volunteer |
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efforts in support of U.S. military personnel and extend best |
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wishes to the organization's staff for continued success with its |
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important work; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for Operation Helmet as an expression of high regard by the |
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Texas House of Representatives. |