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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Ken Pridgeon of Baytown has turned his artistic |
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talent to a patriotic purpose, and his efforts have touched the |
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lives of many Texas families; and |
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WHEREAS, Following a decade of service with the U.S. Air |
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Force, Mr. Pridgeon worked as a billboard painter before opening |
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his own business, KTD Signs; nicknamed "the Dauber" for his |
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distinctive style, he also took up fine arts painting in his free |
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time, producing landscapes, portraits, murals, and more; and |
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WHEREAS, In 2005, the local community lost one of its own when |
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Private First Class Wesley Riggs of the U.S. Army was killed during |
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a tour of duty in Iraq; to pay tribute to the young man's sacrifice, |
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Mr. Pridgeon painted his portrait as part of a benefit to fund a |
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scholarship in the soldier's honor; and |
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WHEREAS, The artist was soon inspired to similarly recognize |
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other fallen service members from across the Lone Star State, |
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providing their family members with free prints of the finished |
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paintings; he is also sharing his artwork with the general public |
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through the Portrait of a Warrior Memorial Art Gallery in Baytown, |
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where visitors can view the pictures and express their appreciation |
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for the nation's military heroes; he ultimately hopes to paint |
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every member of the armed forces from Texas who has been killed in |
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Iraq and Afghanistan; and |
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WHEREAS, Ken Pridgeon has created a touching memorial to |
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Texans who have made the ultimate sacrifice, and his work will help |
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to ensure that these courageous men and women will forever be |
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remembered for their valiant service; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas |
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Legislature hereby commend Ken Pridgeon for his ongoing efforts to |
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paint portraits of fallen service members from the Lone Star State |
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and that he be extended sincere best wishes for continued success |
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with this admirable project; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for Mr. Pridgeon as an expression of high regard by the |
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Texas House of Representatives. |