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SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 467
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In Memory |
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of |
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William Dowling |
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WHEREAS, A life marked by tremendous courage and resolve |
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came to an untimely end with the passing of William Dowling, a |
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former captain in the Houston Fire Department, on March 7, 2017, |
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at the age of 43; and |
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WHEREAS, Born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on March 14, |
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1973, Bill Dowling was the son of Mary and Rick Dowling; he moved |
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with his family to Texas in his youth and graduated from Klein Oak |
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High School in Spring in 1993; after joining the United States |
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Marine Corps, he advanced to the rank of corporal and served in a |
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number of locations, including Somalia, Bahrain, and Saudi |
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Arabia; his military awards included a Combat Action Ribbon, a |
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Good Conduct Medal, a Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal, a |
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National Defense Service Medal, a Southwest Asia Service Medal, |
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and a Sea Service Deployment Ribbon; and |
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WHEREAS, Imbued with a passion for public service, Bill |
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Dowling pursued a career as a firefighter after returning to |
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civilian life; he joined the Champions Fire Department and then, |
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in 2000, the Houston Fire Department, where he rose through the |
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ranks while working in some of the city's busiest stations; his |
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years on the job were made all the more fulfilling by the strong |
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bond of camaraderie that he shared with his brothers and sisters |
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in uniform; and |
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WHEREAS, Captain Dowling demonstrated the true depth of |
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his commitment to duty as one of the first responders who were |
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called to battle a massive five-alarm fire at the Southwest Inn |
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on May 31, 2013, the deadliest day in the history of the Houston |
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Fire Department; when the roof of the hotel collapsed, he lost |
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four of his comrades and sustained life-altering injuries, which |
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forced him to retire from the career he loved; and |
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WHEREAS, This inspiring Texan earned the nickname "Iron |
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Bill" during his long, valiant effort to recover in the four |
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years after he left the department; he drew comfort and |
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encouragement from the love of his wife of 23 years, Jacki, and |
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their treasured children, Forrest, Faith, and Foster; in the |
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course of his struggles, his faith became a guiding light, and he |
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took pride in having read every page of the Bible; and |
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WHEREAS, Captain Bill Dowling found his purpose in serving |
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a cause greater than himself, and when tragedy cast a shadow over |
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his future, his determination and bravery in fighting back |
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captured the hearts of countless people; he will be greatly |
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missed by his family, friends, and former colleagues, who will |
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never forget his sacrifice or the extraordinary strength of |
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character that defined his life; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 85th |
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Legislature, hereby pay tribute to the memory of William Dowling |
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and extend sincere condolences to all those who mourn his |
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passing; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for |
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his family and that when the Texas Senate adjourns this day, it do |
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so in memory of William Dowling. |
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Bettencourt |
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________________________________ |
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President of the Senate |
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I hereby certify that the |
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above Resolution was adopted by |
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the Senate on March 20, 2017, by a |
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rising vote. |
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________________________________ |
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Secretary of the Senate |
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________________________________ |
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Member, Texas Senate |