SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 19
         WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to
  recognize Lieutenant Colonel Eric D. Patterson, who is retiring
  as commander and conductor of the Air National Guard Band of the
  Southwest after 24 years of outstanding military service; and
         WHEREAS, Lieutenant Colonel Patterson enlisted in the Air
  National Guard as a band officer in 1997 following a successful
  competitive audition; in 1998, he became commander of the 562nd
  Air Force Band, and he served in that position for 14 years; the
  band became known for its innovative techniques, and for several
  years, it accounted for 40 percent of all performances by Air
  National Guard Bands in the United States; and
         WHEREAS, In 2011, he was deployed as the officer in charge
  of Blue Hawk, the pop-rock ensemble of the 531st Air Force Band of
  the Texas Air National Guard; later that year, he assumed command
  of the Texas Air National Guard Band, which became known as the
  Air National Guard Band of the Southwest; and
         WHEREAS, As commander, he took charge of restructuring the
  band's departments, and he initiated a successful student
  recruiting program and promoted a major increase in performance
  opportunities; he served as conductor at the ceremonies of the
  opening of the George W. Bush Presidential Library, and from 2017
  through 2020, he served on the Chief of the National Guard
  Bureau's National Guard Innovation Team; and
         WHEREAS, Over the course of his distinguished career, he
  conducted live and televised military concert band performances
  that reached millions of people; he produced two compact discs of
  American music that were named the Best-Ever Air National Guard
  Band recordings; it is truly fitting that he receive special
  recognition for his achievements; now, therefore, be it
         RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 87th
  Legislature, hereby commend Lieutenant Colonel Eric D. Patterson
  on his exceptional service as commander and conductor of the Air
  National Guard Band of the Southwest and extend to him best
  wishes for continued success in all his endeavors; and, be it
  further
         RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
  him as an expression of high regard from the Texas Senate.
 
  Nelson
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
        President of the Senate
     
        I hereby certify that the
    above Resolution was adopted by
    the Senate on February 9, 2021.
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
        Secretary of the Senate
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
         Member, Texas Senate