H.R. No. 229

	R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, The life of a decorated Vietnam War hero drew to a
	close with the passing of U.S. Army Captain Curtis Wayne Fitzgerald
	of Palestine on February 4, 2025, at the age of 77; and
	WHEREAS, A native of Palestine, Curtis Fitzgerald was born on
	March 23, 1947, and he graduated from Palestine High School; and
	WHEREAS, In 1969, Mr. Fitzgerald began six years of active
	duty with the U.S. Army in Vietnam; piloting Bell UH-1 "Huey"
	aircraft for the 189th Assault Helicopter Company "Ghost Riders,"
	he took part in a number of major operations; during the Battle of
	Hamburger Hill, he flew multiple resupply missions, and in the
	Siege of Ben Het, he completed a supply run after his helicopter
	sustained heavy gunfire; he went on to serve as the air mission
	commander for the initial invasion of Cambodia, and during
	long-range reconnaissance patrols into Cambodia and Laos, he
	identified enemy positions before returning his damaged aircraft to
	safety; ultimately rising to the rank of captain, he flew 1,600
	hours in combat and was shot down six times; subsequently, he
	volunteered for another six-month tenure in support of incoming
	units; and
	WHEREAS, For his remarkable courage, Captain Fitzgerald was
	awarded the Silver Star, 3 Distinguished Flying Crosses, 3 Bronze
	Star Medals, 19 Air Medals, and the Purple Heart; he was later
	honored by U.S. Representative Jeb Hensarling, who entered a
	statement of recognition into the Congressional Record in May 2008;
	and
	WHEREAS, Over the years, Captain Fitzgerald lent his time and
	expertise to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, veterans
	service organizations, and area post-traumatic stress disorder
	support groups; he also served his community in a number of
	leadership roles and founded the Anderson County Soccer
	Association; a University of Houston graduate, he established and
	operated a real estate firm specializing in farm and ranch sales;
	and
	WHEREAS, In all his endeavors, Captain Fitzgerald enjoyed the
	love and support of his wife, Sandra, his son, Curtis, his
	daughter-in-law, Stefani, and his grandchildren, Stone and Curtis;
	and
	WHEREAS, Curtis Fitzgerald lived a rich and purposeful life,
	and he leaves behind a legacy of service to his country and his
	community that will continue to inspire all who had the privilege of
	knowing him; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas
	Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of U.S. Army Captain
	Curtis Wayne Fitzgerald and extend deepest condolences to his
	relatives and friends; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
	prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of
	Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Curtis
	Fitzgerald.
	Harris
	Burrows Guerra Morales Shaw
	Alders Guillen Morgan
	Allen Harless Muñoz
	Anchía Harris Noble
	Ashby Harris Davila Olcott
	Barry Harrison Oliverson
	Bell of Kaufman Hayes Ordaz
	Bell of Montgomery Hefner Orr
	Bernal Hernandez Patterson
	Bhojani Hickland Paul
	Bonnen Hinojosa Perez of El Paso
	Bowers Holt Perez of Harris
	Bryant Hopper Phelan
	Buckley Howard Pierson
	Bucy Hull Plesa
	Bumgarner Hunter Raymond
	Button Isaac Reynolds
	Cain Johnson Richardson
	Campos Jones of Dallas Rodríguez Ramos
	Canales Jones of Harris Romero
	Capriglione Kerwin Rose
	Cole King Rosenthal
	Collier Kitzman Schatzline
	Cook LaHood Schofield
	Cortez Lalani Schoolcraft
	Craddick Lambert Shaheen
	Cunningham Landgraf Shofner
	Curry Leach Simmons
	Darby Leo Wilson Slawson
	A. Davis of Dallas Little Smithee
	Y. Davis of Dallas Longoria Spiller
	Dean Lopez of Bexar Swanson
	DeAyala Lopez of Cameron Talarico
	Dorazio Louderback Tepper
	Dutton Lowe Thompson
	Dyson Lozano Tinderholt
	Fairly Lujan Toth
	Flores Luther Troxclair
	Frank Manuel Turner
	Gámez Martinez VanDeaver
	Garcia of Bexar Martinez Fischer Vasut
	Garcia of Dallas McLaughlin Villalobos
	Garcia Hernandez McQueeney Virdell
	Gates Metcalf Vo
	Gerdes Meyer Walle
	Geren Meza Ward Johnson
	Gervin-Hawkins Money Wharton
	González of Dallas Moody Wilson
	González of El Paso Morales of Harris Wu
	Goodwin Morales of Maverick Zwiener
	______________________________
	Speaker of the House
	I certify that H.R. No. 229 was unanimously adopted by a rising
	vote of the House on February 12, 2025.
	______________________________
	Chief Clerk of the House