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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The Texas House of Representatives is pleased to |
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welcome members of the State Firemen's and Fire Marshals' |
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Association of Texas who are participating in Firefighter |
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Legislative Day at the State Capitol on March 25, 2009; and |
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WHEREAS, The State Firemen's and Fire Marshals' Association |
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of Texas is the oldest and largest fire service organization in the |
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Lone Star State; the association was founded in 1876 and currently |
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represents more than 1,200 fire departments, nearly 20,000 |
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individual members, and over 80 industrial fire brigades; and |
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WHEREAS, The association sponsors and supports the world's |
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largest fire-training school, which is held each summer at Texas |
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A&M University; moreover, it offers an educational certification |
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program for volunteer firefighters and encourages training, |
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education, and certification for all volunteers, who make up |
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approximately 70 percent of Texas firefighters; and |
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WHEREAS, The members of this esteemed organization are |
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gathering to recognize and pay tribute to the tireless and heroic |
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actions of the members of the Texas fire service, and the names of |
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six courageous volunteer firefighters who died in the line of duty |
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are being added to the Volunteer Firemen monument on the Capitol |
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grounds; and |
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WHEREAS, Those firefighters being honored are Elmer Homilius |
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of the Comfort Volunteer Fire Department, who died on October 15, |
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1984, Austin Cheek and Kevin Williams of the Noonday Volunteer Fire |
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Department, who died on August 3, 2007, William Simes of the |
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Giddings Volunteer Fire Department, who died on September 25, 2007, |
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Robert Knight of the Teague Volunteer Fire Department, who died on |
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July 5, 2008, and Joe Jordan of the Pickton-Pine Forest Volunteer |
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Fire Department, who died on July 4, 2008; all of these valiant |
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individuals made the ultimate sacrifice while serving their |
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communities, and their vital service will not soon be forgotten; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, The State Firemen's and Fire Marshals' Association |
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of Texas is working to uphold its mission to promote, unify, |
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represent, and educate the fire service of Texas, and it is a |
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privilege to recognize the brave men and women who help safeguard |
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lives and property in communities all across the Lone Star State; |
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now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas |
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Legislature hereby commend the firefighters of Texas for their |
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courageous actions and devotion to duty in behalf of their fellow |
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citizens and pay tribute to the volunteer firefighters who have |
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died in the line of duty. |