| |
| |
|
|
R E S O L U T I O N
|
|
|
WHEREAS, On February 6, 2023, a powerful earthquake struck |
|
|
southeastern Turkey and the northwest region of Syria, resulting in |
|
|
tens of thousands of fatalities and catastrophic damage throughout |
|
|
the area; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, Governments around the world responded quickly to |
|
|
requests for assistance, deploying rescue teams and providing aid |
|
|
for the nearly 18 million people in Turkey and Syria who were |
|
|
impacted by the disaster; among those who were involved in rescue |
|
|
and relief efforts were personnel from both the United States and |
|
|
Mexico, including members of the Joint Military Assistance Command |
|
|
and affiliated Mexican agencies; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, Mexico deployed search and rescue canine teams to |
|
|
Turkey as part of international emergency relief operations, and |
|
|
two canines lost their lives while participating in search and |
|
|
rescue efforts; these heroic dogs were Proteo, who performed four |
|
|
rescues and over 35 recoveries in the line of duty, and Frida, who |
|
|
was involved in 12 rescues and 41 recoveries throughout her career; |
|
|
and |
|
|
WHEREAS, In addition to posthumously recognizing the two |
|
|
search and rescue dogs, the Joint Military Assistance Command has |
|
|
also awarded posthumous honors to a civilian canine, Pinky, who |
|
|
demonstrated remarkable courage while fighting off robbers in the |
|
|
disaster area and passed away five weeks after being wounded in the |
|
|
incident; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, These three valiant canines will be remembered not |
|
|
only for their extraordinary acts of bravery, but also for the |
|
|
special bonds of loyalty that they shared with their owners and |
|
|
handlers, and they are truly deserving of recognition for their |
|
|
honorable service; now, therefore, be it |
|
|
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the 88th Texas Legislature |
|
|
hereby pay tribute to the lives of Proteo, Frida, and Pinky and |
|
|
express sincere gratitude to all those who took part in search and |
|
|
rescue operations in the aftermath of the 2023 Turkey-Syria |
|
|
earthquake. |