SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 345

WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to welcome members of the State Firemen's and Fire Marshals' Association of Texas on Firefighter Legislative Day at the State Capitol on March 25, 2009; and

WHEREAS, The members of this esteemed organization are gathering to recognize and honor the tireless and heroic actions of the members of the Texas fire service; the names of six courageous volunteer firefighters who died in the line of duty are being unveiled at the volunteer firemen's monument on the Capitol grounds; and

WHEREAS, The firemen being honored are Elmer Homilius of the Comfort Volunteer Fire Department, who died October 15, 1984; Austin Cheek of the Noonday Volunteer Fire Department, who died August 3, 2007; Kevin Williams of the Noonday Volunteer Fire Department, who died August 3, 2007; William Simes of the Giddings Volunteer Fire Department, who died September 25, 2007; Robert Knight of the Teague Volunteer Fire Department, who died July 5, 2008; and Joe Jordan of the Pickton Pine Forest Volunteer Fire Department, who died July 4, 2008; most of the families of the fallen firefighters are here with us today; and

WHEREAS, The State Firemen's and Fire Marshals' Association of Texas is the oldest and the largest fire service organization in the state; the association was founded in 1876 and currently represents more than 1,200 fire departments, 19,000 individual members, and 80 industrial fire brigades; and

WHEREAS, The association sponsors and supports the world's largest fire-training school, held each summer at Texas A&M University; the association also provides instructors and professional services on the fire school's advisory board; and

WHEREAS, The cornerstone of the State Firemen's and Fire Marshals' Association is the certification program for volunteer firefighters, which encourages training, education, and certification for all volunteers; and

WHEREAS, Approximately 70 percent of the firefighters providing fire service to the citizens of Texas are volunteer firefighters; they volunteer their valuable services, responding to emergency calls and attending training sessions to learn the latest firefighting techniques; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 81st Legislature, hereby commend the firefighters of Texas for their courageous actions and devotion to duty on behalf of their fellow citizens and pay tribute to the volunteer firefighters who have died in the line of duty; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared in honor of the firefighters and fire marshals of Texas. Estes

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on March 2, 2009.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate