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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, In the wake of the devastating tornado that struck |
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the town of Gordon on May 18, 2025, first responders, government |
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officials, and volunteers have come together to aid those affected |
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and begin rebuilding the community; and |
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WHEREAS, The powerful EF-1 tornado touched down that Sunday |
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evening with winds reaching 105 miles per hour; in just minutes, the |
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storm damaged 31 homes, knocked out power throughout the area, and |
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caused extensive destruction to Gordon Independent School District |
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facilities; the town's sole public school campus was flooded, |
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forcing the district to cancel classes for the remainder of the |
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year, and the storm also ripped through the baseball and football |
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fields and demolished locker rooms, a field house, and storage |
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structures; and |
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WHEREAS, Emergency crews quickly sprang into action, moving |
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through hard-hit neighborhoods to assess residents and provide |
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medical care where needed; thankfully, no lives were lost, and only |
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minor injuries were reported; and |
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WHEREAS, In the aftermath of the disaster, a wave of support |
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for the community poured in from near and far; first responders and |
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concerned citizens alike have worked to repair roofs, clear fallen |
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trees from roadways, distribute water, and offer words of |
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encouragement to storm victims; businesses, churches, school |
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districts, and other entities also have taken part in the relief |
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efforts, and donations came from many generous contributors; and |
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WHEREAS, Those deserving of gratitude for their invaluable |
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assistance include Chief Arthur James and the Gordon Volunteer Fire |
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Department; Gordon Mayor Sherrye Mills; Gordon ISD Superintendent |
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Holly Campbell; Mingus Mayor Vincent "Vinny" Huckaba, City Manager |
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Wilma Joplin, and the residents of the city of Mingus; Mayor Carl |
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Frazier and the residents of the city of Strawn; the staff, |
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families, community members, alumni, and students of Gordon ISD; |
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Stephenville, Weatherford, Graford, Huckabay, Strawn, Moran, |
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Dublin, and Santo ISDs; and Abilene Christian School; and |
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WHEREAS, In addition, sincere thanks is owed to Texans on |
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Mission; the Mineral Wells Noon Lions Club; Knights of Columbus |
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Council No. 10816 in Stephenville; Pastor Albert Oliveira, |
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volunteer coordinator Liz Burnett, and First Baptist Church of |
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Gordon; Pastor Kristen Perkins-Glover and First United Methodist |
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Church of Gordon; Pastor Mike Batot and Gordon Church of Christ; the |
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Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation; the Gene and Jerry Jones Family |
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Foundation and the Dallas Cowboys; Rose Powell and the Ryan Powell |
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Memorial Foundation; and the Tarleton State University football |
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team and staff; and |
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WHEREAS, The community's heartfelt appreciation also goes |
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out to Marcus and Shelby Hinkson of Hink's, as well as the extended |
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Cathey and Rouse family; Lori and Mike Mackey; Aaron Buck and the |
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Buck family of 4B Dumpster Services; Jake Wilfong and Rolling J |
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Dumpsters; the Wilfong family of ABCDUMP; Dean and Sandra Whitlock |
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of Gordon Stone Company; Patrick and Michelle Henggeler of 1886 |
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Cattle Company; the Richardson and Balch family of Dakotah PHD; |
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XCaliber Container; Reeder Distributors; Hellas Construction; |
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C. W. Farris of Harper Perkins Architects; Weatherford Costco; The |
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Home Depot Weatherford; Texas-New Mexico Power; the Mike and Patsy |
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Stanley family; and Karen Brunson; and |
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WHEREAS, The impact of this disaster on this small but |
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close-knit town has called forth a remarkable level of compassion |
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and cooperation, and it is a pleasure to pay tribute to all those |
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who have done their part to help the people of Gordon in their time |
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of need; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas |
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Legislature, 2nd Called Session, hereby honor the first responders, |
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government officials, volunteers, and donors who have assisted in |
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the recovery from the May 2025 tornado in Gordon and extend |
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heartfelt best wishes to the town's residents as they continue to |
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rebuild. |