87R14049 CJM-D
 
  By: King of Uvalde H.R. No. 420
 
 
 
R E S O L U T I O N
         WHEREAS, Juan J. Meza retired as the Zapata County fire chief
  in December 2020, drawing to a close a distinguished tenure with the
  department; and
         WHEREAS, While still a student at Zapata High School, this
  esteemed public servant began his career as a member of the Zapata
  County Volunteer Fire Department in 1973; following his graduation,
  he became the county's assistant civil defense coordinator, and he
  went on to serve the county as its fire marshal and as its emergency
  management coordinator; assuming the role of fire chief in 2002, he
  helped to establish the Zapata County Fire Department, which gained
  a mobile intensive care unit, paramedics, and rescue dive and
  hazmat teams during his tenure; and
         WHEREAS, A graduate of the National Fire Academy, Chief Meza
  holds certification as an advanced firefighter, an advanced arson
  investigator, and a master peace officer as well as an emergency
  medical technician and a code enforcement officer; he has received
  a number of prestigious accolades over the years, including the
  Roscoe Gibson Award from the Texas Fire Marshal's Association, a
  congressional certificate of recognition, and a certificate of
  commendation from the U.S. Senate, and he was recognized by the
  Texas Division of Emergency Management in 2019 with induction into
  its Hall of Fame; and
         WHEREAS, Chief Meza has given generously of his time and
  energy to such worthy organizations as the Emergency Management
  Association of Texas, the Texas Fire Marshal's Association, and the
  South Texas Fire Investigators Association-RGV; and
         WHEREAS, Juan Meza's dedication, courage, and
  professionalism have greatly benefited the residents of Zapata
  County, and he may reflect with pride on all that he accomplished in
  his role as fire chief; now, therefore, be it
         RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas
  Legislature hereby congratulate Juan J. Meza on his retirement as
  chief of the Zapata County Fire Department and extend to him sincere
  best wishes for continued success in all his endeavors; and, be it
  further
         RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
  prepared for Chief Meza as an expression of high regard by the Texas
  House of Representatives.