H.R. No. 1510
 
 
 
R E S O L U T I O N
         WHEREAS, Billy Parker is retiring as director of the Texas
  A&M Engineering Extension Service's Texas Task Force 1 on March 31,
  2015; and
         WHEREAS, Mr. Parker began his long and distinguished career
  in public service in 1976, when he became a firefighter for the
  Clyde Fire Department; he went on to join the Texas A&M Engineering
  Extension Service, a state agency that trains public safety workers
  and provides emergency responders during large-scale crises;
  there, he helped establish the new Regional Texas Task Force System
  and develop an expansive and comprehensive training facility called
  Disaster City; in addition, he acted as chief of the TEEX Recruit
  Academy and oversaw the training of more than 1,500 fire cadets; and
         WHEREAS, Widely recognized as an expert in search and rescue,
  Mr. Parker also played a key role in the growth of the agency's
  Texas Task Force 1 from a small advisory board to one of the most
  called-upon rescue teams in the country; as a member of the task
  force, he was deployed during several prominent state and national
  disasters, including the A&M bonfire collapse, the World Trade
  Center attack, and Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Ike; he was named
  director of Texas Task Force 1 in 2012; and
         WHEREAS, Mr. Parker received the TEEX Distinguished Service
  Award in 2005 and the Regents Fellow Service Award from The Texas
  A&M University System Board of Regents the following year; and
         WHEREAS, An engaged member of his community, Mr. Parker has
  served as a volunteer firefighter, a paramedic, and a girls'
  softball coach; he has also been a valued congregant of Hillcrest
  Baptist Church for more than 22 years; and
         WHEREAS, Through his loyalty, integrity, and unwavering
  commitment to the safety and well-being of his fellow Texans, Billy
  Parker has set a standard of leadership and service to which others
  may aspire, and he may reflect with pride on a career well spent;
  now, therefore, be it
         RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas
  Legislature hereby congratulate Billy Parker on his retirement from
  the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service and extend to him
  sincere best wishes for continued success and happiness; and, be it
  further
         RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
  prepared for Mr. Parker as an expression of high regard by the Texas
  House of Representatives.
 
  Martinez
 
  ______________________________
  Speaker of the House     
 
         I certify that H.R. No. 1510 was adopted by the House on March
  25, 2015, by a non-record vote.
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House