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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Memories of a life filled with joyous times and |
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meaningful accomplishments may console the family and friends of |
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Benjamin Ellis Pickett, Sr., of Liberty, who passed away on August |
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18, 2006; and |
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WHEREAS, Born on December 28, 1919, Mr. Pickett was a |
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lifelong resident of Liberty; at the age of 13, he volunteered with |
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the town's fire department and his enduring commitment led him to |
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become its first full-time fire chief; during his notable tenure, |
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he instituted an EMS program and became the first civil |
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defense/civil preparedness director; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Pickett's dedication to his hometown was further |
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evidenced by his service as a municipal judge and as the first |
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police commissioner of Liberty; as a tribute to the many years he |
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dedicated to his fellow citizens, the town fire-fighting training |
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center was named in his honor; and |
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WHEREAS, A decorated veteran of World War II, Mr. Pickett |
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served his country with distinction as a captain in the U.S. Army |
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Air Corps; he flew 65 missions over France and Italy, and was chosen |
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as lead bombardier in a historic mission over Florence that was |
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cited as "one of the best examples of precision bombing in the |
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world" by National Geographic magazine; demonstrating |
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extraordinary courage and resolve, he was awarded the Distinguished |
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Flying Cross, Purple Heart, Air Medal with seven clusters, European |
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Mediterranean Theatre campaign ribbon with four battle stars, and |
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presidential unit citation, and his group earned the Croix de |
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Guerre with Palm by General Charles de Gaulle; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Pickett was educated at Shriner Institute and |
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The University of Texas and was a respected cattleman in addition to |
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his other pursuits; late in life, he surprised his friends and |
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family when he taught himself to use computers, a skill that he used |
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to research the history of the region; and |
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WHEREAS, Ben Pickett was beloved for his wisdom, sharp wit, |
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and compassion; said to be angered only by injustice, this devoted |
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family man, noteworthy civic leader, and admired citizen is greatly |
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missed, but his legacy of service to his country and his community |
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will be remembered for many years to come; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 80th Texas |
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Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Benjamin Ellis |
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Pickett, Sr., and extend deepest sympathy to the members of his |
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family: to his wife, Ellen Watson Pickett; to his children, |
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Benjamin Ellis Pickett, Jr., and his wife, Deborah, Laura Calfee |
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and her husband, Gary, Lisa Edmonds and her husband, Clay, and Amy |
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Leibman and her husband, Neil; to his grandchildren and |
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great-grandchildren, Amy Lynn Hoffman, Russell Pickett, Marisa |
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Henry, Beau Henry, Madison Leibman, Adrianne Leibman, Andrew |
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Leibman, Genevieve deBittencourt, Skylar Edmonds, Carson Edmonds, |
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Conner Edmonds, Avery Shiver, Abbigael Hoffman, and Victoria |
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Pickett; and to his other relatives and many friends; and, be it |
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further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of |
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Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Benjamin |
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Ellis Pickett, Sr. |
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Otto |
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______________________________ |
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Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.R. No. 1392 was unanimously adopted by a |
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rising vote of the House on April 19, 2007. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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