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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, A life made rich through meaningful service drew to |
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a close with the passing of U.S. Air Force Major General (Ret.) |
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Michael John Butchko of Nacogdoches on December 5, 2018, at the age |
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of 78; and |
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WHEREAS, The son of Michael Butchko and Helen Litman, Mike |
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Butchko was born in Moundsville, West Virginia, on January 9, 1940; |
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in 1963, he married the former Kay Ann Henry, and the couple shared |
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a rewarding union of 55 years; he took great pride in their |
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children, Benjamin and Kathryn, and he had the pleasure of seeing |
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his family grow to include three grandchildren; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Butchko graduated from the U.S. Air Force |
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Academy in 1962 and went on to serve his nation on active duty for 31 |
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years; he flew nearly 130 missions during the Vietnam War, and after |
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returning from combat, he became a test pilot and played an |
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instrumental role in the development of aircraft still used by |
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today's military; following his retirement as commander of the Air |
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Force Development Test Center at Eglin Air Force Base in 1993, he |
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enjoyed a successful civilian career, leading companies that |
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operated the Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral Air Force |
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Station, and the Nevada National Security Site; he held a |
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bachelor's degree from the U.S. Air Force Academy, a master's degree |
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in systems management from the University of Southern California, |
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and a master's degree in public administration from Auburn |
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University; and |
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WHEREAS, A valued resident of Nacogdoches since 2013, Major |
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General Butchko benefited his community in myriad ways; he served |
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on the board of the American Red Cross of Southeast and Deep East |
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Texas and led efforts to reestablish a Red Cross office in |
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Nacogdoches; in addition, he volunteered his time with a number of |
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other worthy causes and organizations; and |
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WHEREAS, Mike Butchko was admired not only for his |
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unfaltering commitment to duty but also for his optimism, |
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generosity, and good humor, and he leaves behind a legacy that will |
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continue to inspire all who knew and loved him; now, therefore, be |
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it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 86th Texas |
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Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of U.S. Air Force Major |
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General (Ret.) Michael John Butchko and extend sincere sympathy to |
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the members of his family: to his wife, Kay Butchko; to his |
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children, Benjamin Butchko and his wife, Kirstin, and Kathryn Pelka |
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and her husband, Jay; to his grandchildren, Elizabeth, Jay, and |
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Katelyn; to his siblings, Christina Butchko and Andrew Butchko; and |
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to his other relatives and friends; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of |
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Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of U.S. Air |
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Force Major General (Ret.) Michael Butchko. |
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Clardy |
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______________________________ |
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Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.R. No. 50 was unanimously adopted by a rising |
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vote of the House on March 6, 2019. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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