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SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 740
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In Memory |
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of |
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Carlos Everado Lerma |
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WHEREAS, Family and friends will long cherish their |
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memories of United States Air Force Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.) |
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Carlos Everado Lerma, who passed away on March 31, 2019, at the |
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age of 84; and |
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WHEREAS, Born in Kingsville on October 12, 1934, Carlos |
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Lerma was the son of Mauro and Francisca Lerma, and he was raised |
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with four siblings, Mauro, Lucila, Nilda, and Ninfa; a standout |
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athlete at Kingsville High School, he earned a football |
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scholarship to Texas Tech University, where he graduated with a |
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civil engineering degree; he began his career as a civil |
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engineering laboratory instructor at Texas Tech, and he later |
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worked for the State of Texas as an assistant highway project |
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engineer; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Lerma subsequently joined the United States |
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Air Force, serving two tours in Southeast Asia as operations |
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officer for three squadrons; a skilled pilot, he received the |
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"Top Gun" title, and he flew 300 combat missions without losing a |
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plane or crew member; he ultimately retired at the rank of |
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lieutenant colonel, and he was recognized for his valiant efforts |
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with a number of commendations, including the Distinguished |
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Flying Cross, the Meritorious Service Medal with 2 oak leaf |
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clusters, the Air Medal with 14 oak leaf clusters, and the |
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Vietnam Service Medal with oak leaf cluster; along the way, he |
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also obtained a master's degree in public administration through |
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the USAF Air War College; and |
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WHEREAS, Returning home to South Texas, Mr. Lerma was |
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named city manager of Kingsville, and during his distinguished |
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tenure, he helped secure millions of dollars in grants and |
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projects for the community; an esteemed civic leader, he was the |
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first Kleberg County resident to receive a Road Hand award from |
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the Texas Department of Transportation; and |
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WHEREAS, In all his endeavors, Mr. Lerma enjoyed the love |
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and support of his wife, Dr. Sandra Lanier-Lerma, with whom he |
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shared more than three decades of marriage; he took great pride |
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in his three children, Carlos, Lawrence, and Diana, and his |
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cherished family grew to include eight grandchildren, Gretchen, |
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Rachel, Elizabeth, Christopher, Cason, Caden, Haley, and Rhyan; |
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known for his sense of adventure, Mr. Lerma found pleasure in |
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fishing and hunting; and |
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WHEREAS, Carlos Lerma lived a rich and purposeful life |
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devoted to the service of his country and his community, and he |
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leaves behind a legacy that will continue to inspire those who |
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were fortunate enough to know him; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 86th |
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Legislature, hereby pay tribute to the life of United States |
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Air Force Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.) Carlos Everado Lerma and |
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extend sincere condolences to all who mourn his passing; and, |
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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 Senate adjourns |
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this day, it do so in memory of Carlos Lerma. |
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Fallon, Lucio |
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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 May 15, 2019, 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 |
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________________________________ |
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Member, Texas Senate |