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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Words cannot adequately express the sorrow felt by |
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the family, friends, and colleagues of Chief Michael Eugene |
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Phillips of the Marble Falls Area Volunteer Fire Department, who |
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died in the line of duty on July 5, 2025, at the age of 66; and |
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WHEREAS, Born in Del Rio on September 25, 1958, Michael |
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Phillips was the son of Carl and Irene Phillips, and he grew up with |
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a sister, Deborah; after high school graduation, he joined the |
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U.S. Air Force and worked on jet engines for almost a decade; he |
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next obtained degrees in electronics and fire science; and |
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WHEREAS, In 1995, Mr. Phillips began a 30-year career with |
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the Marble Falls Area Volunteer Fire Department; rising to the |
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position of chief in 2016, he earned a reputation for leading with |
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humility, compassion, and strength; a certified emergency medical |
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technician and master firefighter, he was also a Level III |
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instructor, and he trained countless firefighters across Texas; and |
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WHEREAS, Chief Phillips also achieved distinction as the |
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maintenance director and bond director for the Marble Falls |
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Independent School District; he spent 28 years there, directing |
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facility operations and major construction and renovations; and |
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WHEREAS, At about 4:30 a.m. on July 5, as catastrophic |
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flooding swept through Burnet County, the Marble Falls fire |
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department received a call that individuals were trapped in water |
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near Cow Creek; Chief Phillips was the first on the scene; |
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demonstrating remarkable bravery, he was in the process of |
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attempting a rescue when he was swept into the creek by the surging |
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floodwaters; his tragic death has inspired an outpouring of prayers |
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and support from citizens across the region, and he was |
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posthumously honored during a ceremony as part of the annual First |
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Responders Night at the Marble Falls Rodeo; and |
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WHEREAS, In all his endeavors, Chief Phillips benefited from |
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the love and support of his wife of nearly five decades, Cecilia, |
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their daughter, Megan, and their two grandchildren; and |
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WHEREAS, Michael Phillips lived a life defined by courage and |
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integrity, and he leaves behind a record of service that will long |
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resonate in Marble Falls and beyond; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas |
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Legislature, 1st Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the memory |
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of Chief Michael Eugene Phillips and extend profound condolences to |
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the members of his family: to his wife, Cecilia; to his daughter, |
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Megan, and her husband; to his grandchildren, Paxton and Ryker; to |
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his sister, Deborah; and to his other relatives and friends; and, be |
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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 Chief |
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Michael Phillips. |