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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Rhoda Mae Kerr became the first female chief of the |
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Austin Fire Department with her swearing in on January 30, 2009; and |
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WHEREAS, A native of New Jersey, Chief Kerr holds a |
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bachelor's degree in physical education and health, an associate's |
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degree in fire science technology, and a master's degree in public |
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administration; she has also earned certification from the Harvard |
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University program for senior executives in state and local |
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government; and |
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WHEREAS, Chief Kerr taught physical education and health for |
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12 years before joining the Fort Lauderdale Fire-Rescue Department |
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in 1983, where for 20 years she was promoted through the ranks and |
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eventually became the department's first female deputy chief; and |
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WHEREAS, In 2004, she was named the first female chief of the |
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Little Rock Fire Department, making her only the 15th woman to lead |
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a fire department in the nation; and |
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WHEREAS, Chief Kerr has long been a recognized leader in her |
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profession, serving as head of the Human Relations Committee of the |
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International Association of Fire Chiefs and as a board member of |
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the National Society of Executive Fire Officers; she was also one of |
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the founding members of the IAFC's Women Chief Officers Committee, |
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and she is active in the Rotary Club and other community |
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organizations as well; and |
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WHEREAS, In her new role in Austin, Rhoda Mae Kerr is |
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responsible for a department of more than a thousand firefighters |
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operating out of 44 stations across the city; as a |
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fourth-generation firefighter with 26 years of experience, Chief |
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Kerr brings to the Capitol City considerable expertise, energy, and |
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enthusiasm, and she is to be commended for her achievements as she |
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prepares for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead; now, |
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therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas |
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Legislature hereby congratulate Rhoda Mae Kerr on her selection as |
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Austin's first female fire chief and extend to her sincere best |
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wishes for continued success; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for Chief Kerr as an expression of high regard by the Texas |
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House of Representatives. |