SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 431

WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to recognize Billy Parker, who 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 Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service 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 Texas A&M University 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 Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service 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 Senate of the State of Texas, 84th 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 a copy of this Resolution be prepared for Mr. Parker as an expression of esteem from the Texas Senate. Schwertner

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on March 25, 2015.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate