SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 192

WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to recognize the citizens of West and the many first responders who helped the city recover from the devastation of the West Fertilizer Company explosion; and

WHEREAS, On April 17, 2013, an explosion shook the City of West with the force of an earthquake that could be felt 50 miles away; hundreds of homes were damaged and the community was left with $100 million in property damage; and

WHEREAS, Most tragically, 15 citizens lost their lives that day, and 12 of those were first responders seeking to help those in danger; and

WHEREAS, In true Texas form, firefighters from across the state worked alongside the West Volunteer Fire Department in the aftermath of the explosion; two civilians, Jimmy Matus and William Uptmor Jr., lost their lives while assisting others and were posthumously named honorary firefighters by the West Volunteer Fire Department; and

WHEREAS, The City of West is a small community, and residents share in a proud heritage of helping one another through difficult times; the citizens joined together to help their neighbors recover from the tragic event, and they are indeed worthy of recognition for their courage and resolve; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 84th Legislature, hereby commend the residents of West and all the brave first responders who helped the city recover from the West Fertilizer Company explosion; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for the city as an expression of esteem from the Texas Senate.

Birdwell

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on February 18, 2015.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate