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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The brave and expert actions of U.S. Coast Guard |
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Petty Officer James M. Russell of Harlingen resulted in the rescue |
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of 24 people during Hurricane Ike; and |
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WHEREAS, Petty Officer Russell served as the flight mechanic |
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on CGNR 6512 from September 12 through 14, 2008; initially |
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dispatched to Bolivar Peninsula, he found seven people trapped on a |
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pickup truck amid Ike's harsh winds and pounding storm surge; |
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thanks to his skilled hoisting and concise conning commands, he was |
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able to deliver a rescue swimmer directly into the bed of the truck, |
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and when a wave knocked the rescue swimmer and a survivor into the |
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water, he quickly slackened the cable to provide them safe maneuver |
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before lifting them into the cabin; and |
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WHEREAS, While the storm continued to threaten the Texas |
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coast, Petty Officer Russell successfully retrieved an injured |
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woman from an obstacle-ridden street and went on to pick up another |
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13 people; he subsequently worked with a rescue swimmer to save |
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three survivors from the patio of a home, again demonstrating his |
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exceptional hoisting proficiency, and he then aided in the medical |
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evacuation of an elderly woman; and |
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WHEREAS, Exemplifying the highest ideals of the United States |
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Coast Guard, James Russell distinguished himself through his swift, |
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sure, and courageous response to Hurricane Ike, and he is indeed |
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deserving of his fellow citizens' deepest respect and appreciation; |
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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 Petty Officer James M. Russell for his |
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lifesaving rescue efforts during Hurricane Ike and extend to him |
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sincere best 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 Petty Officer Russell as an expression of high regard |
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by the Texas House of Representatives. |
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Rios Ybarra |
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______________________________ |
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Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.R. No. 1606 was adopted by the House on May |
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4, 2009, by a non-record vote. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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