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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, In 2017, the Texas Task Force 1 |
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urban-search-and-rescue team is celebrating 20 years of saving |
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lives in the Lone Star State and across the nation; and |
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WHEREAS, Texas Task Force 1 was established by the Texas |
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Legislature in 1997 to train firefighters, medical specialists, |
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dogs and their handlers, heavy equipment operators, structural |
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engineers, and other specialty first responders in the techniques |
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of search, rescue, and recovery, so that these skilled personnel |
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might deploy during times of natural or man-made disaster; and |
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WHEREAS, Headquartered in College Station, TX-TF1 is |
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sponsored by the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service and |
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operates under the direction of the Texas Division of Emergency |
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Management; the task force coordinates the state's swift-water |
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rescue program and, in conjunction with Texas Military Forces, the |
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state's Helicopter Search and Rescue Team; and |
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WHEREAS, Over the past two decades, the unit has been |
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deployed by three governors to 87 disasters within the state, and |
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its members have removed, rescued, or recovered countless Texans |
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during such severe weather events as the 2015 Blanco River Flood and |
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the 2016 Dallas--Fort Worth Metroplex tornadoes; and |
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WHEREAS, In 2001, the Federal Emergency Management Agency |
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designated this elite group as one of 28 national search-and-rescue |
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teams, and TX-TF1 has since played a vital role in the response to |
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42 disasters outside of the state, including Hurricanes Katrina, |
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Rita, and Ike and the attack on the World Trade Center in New York |
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City on September 11, 2001; and |
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WHEREAS, For 20 years, the skilled and intrepid men and women |
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of Texas Task Force 1 have swiftly answered the call to action and |
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delivered expert and compassionate assistance to people in their |
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hour of direst need, and they are truly deserving of special |
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recognition on this notable occasion; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas |
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Legislature hereby commemorate the 20th anniversary of Texas Task |
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Force 1 and extend to its members sincere gratitude for their |
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livesaving efforts and best wishes for continued success in their |
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important work; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for Texas Task Force 1 as an expression of high regard by |
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the Texas House of Representatives. |