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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, George Calanche is retiring from the Texas |
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Department of Criminal Justice in August 2015, drawing to a close a |
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notable career in the service of his nation and his state that has |
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spanned more than four decades; and |
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WHEREAS, Born in El Paso in 1951, George Valdez Calanche |
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joined the U.S. Army in August 1974 and served in artillery units |
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for over 20 years as a cannon crewmember; for 12 of those years, he |
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also served as a reenlistment NCO and recruiter, earning |
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recognition from his commanding officers for his sterling |
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performance in that position; his commendations include four Army |
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Commendation Medals, six Army Achievement Medals, six Army Good |
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Conduct Medals, and two National Defense Service Medals; he retired |
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from the army in February 1995, at the rank of sergeant first class; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Calanche began his career with the Texas |
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Department of Criminal Justice in December 1996, when he joined the |
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staff of Rogelio Sanchez State Jail in El Paso; during his years |
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with the jail, he has received the TDCJ Executive Order of Merit, as |
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well as a TDCJ Certificate of Merit for his 10 years of volunteer |
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service as a qualified Spanish interpreter; he has also been |
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recognized as Employee of the Month, and he has been nominated for |
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the International Association of Correctional Officers |
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Correctional Officer of the Year award; and |
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WHEREAS, In addition to going above and beyond in carrying |
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out his professional responsibilities, Mr. Calanche has generously |
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given of his time and energy in behalf of a number of worthy causes; |
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he has vigorously promoted the State Employee Charitable Campaign, |
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and he has supported the Special Olympics by organizing |
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fund-raisers and by participating in the Special Olympics |
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Organizational Day Barbecue and Softball Tournament and in the Law |
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Enforcement Torch Run; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Calanche is also beloved for the effort he makes |
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to provide assistance and comfort to his coworkers and the inmates |
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under his care; he has served on the Post Trauma Staff Support team, |
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and he regularly organizes celebrations for birthdays, |
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retirements, and holidays; he often provides emotional and |
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financial support to families in need, and he is always ready with a |
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warm smile or a hug or words of encouragement; and |
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WHEREAS, George Calanche's dedication, professionalism, and |
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compassionate spirit have greatly benefited the functioning of |
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Rogelio Sanchez State Jail and earned him the respect and |
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admiration of his peers, and he may indeed reflect with pride on a |
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career well-spent as he leaves the institution he has served so |
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well; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas |
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Legislature hereby commend George Valdez Calanche for his service |
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in the U.S. Army and the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and |
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extend to him sincere best wishes for his retirement; and, be it |
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further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for Mr. Calanche as an expression of high regard by the |
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Texas House of Representatives. |