H.R. No. 1419
 
 
 
R E S O L U T I O N
 
         WHEREAS, Ever since his own military service in the 1960s,
  musician and music teacher Ram Chavez of Corpus Christi has
  dedicated countless hours to honoring and supporting his fellow
  veterans; and
         WHEREAS, After graduating from Miller High School in 1964,
  Mr. Chavez performed with his Tejano and pop band, Ram and the
  Impalas, before answering his nation's call to duty during the
  Vietnam War and joining the U.S. Army; and
         WHEREAS, Mr. Chavez served as a combat medic with Company D,
  12th Regiment, 4th Battalion, 199th Light Infantry Brigade, and he
  often risked his life while tending to his wounded comrades; for his
  courage under fire, he earned the Silver Star and the Bronze Star
  with Valor; and
         WHEREAS, Following his return to Texas and civilian life,
  Mr. Chavez embarked on a four-decade career as a music teacher and
  band director; in 1986, seeing the need for live music at events
  honoring veterans, he founded the Veterans Band of Corpus Christi;
  made up of veterans of every branch of the armed forces, the group
  includes postal workers, businesspeople, medical personnel,
  refinery workers, school employees, and retirees; and
         WHEREAS, This inspiring ensemble has performed at a variety
  of events in Corpus Christi and for hundreds of ceremonies honoring
  veterans, including the 1994 Veterans Day program in Washington,
  D.C., when it appeared before 100,000 veterans at the Vietnam
  Veterans Memorial; the band has also played for three presidents
  and two Texas governors, including Governor Ann Richards on the
  occasion of her inauguration; and
         WHEREAS, In addition to his work with the band, Mr. Chavez
  has devoted much effort to archiving information about veterans,
  filling a binder with lists of those who have made the ultimate
  sacrifice for their country and providing more than 160 photos of
  South Texas service members killed in action to the permanent
  archive of the Education Center at the Wall in Washington, D.C.; and
         WHEREAS, Americans owe a profound debt of gratitude to those
  who serve our nation, and Ram Chavez's gift of music and remembrance
  to our men and women in uniform, past and present, is truly
  deserving of special recognition; now, therefore, be it
         RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas
  Legislature hereby honor Ram Chavez for his efforts in behalf of
  veterans and extend to him sincere best wishes for continued
  success with his important work; and, be it further
         RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
  prepared for Mr. Chavez as an expression of high regard by the Texas
  House of Representatives.
 
  Herrero
 
  ______________________________
  Speaker of the House     
 
         I certify that H.R. No. 1419 was adopted by the House on April
  24, 2013, by a non-record vote.
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House