Introduced Version
SENATE RESOLUTION No. ___
DIGEST OF INTRODUCED RESOL UTION
A SENATE RESOLUTION to memorialize the Honorable
Mark "Tracy" Boatwright.
FORD J.D.
, read first time and referred to Committee on
2024 DR 3835/DI LF Introduced
Second Regular Session 123rd General Assembly (2024)
SENATE RESOLUTION ____
MADAM PRESIDENT:
I offer the following resolution and move its adoption:
1 A SENATE RESOLUTION to memorialize the Honorable
2 Mark "Tracy" Boatwright.
3 Whereas, Mark "Tracy" Boatwright was born to Marcus
4 and Mildred Boatwright on July 7, 1942, in Marion, Indiana,
5 and graduated from Marion High School, in 1960;
6 Whereas, Tracy served in the U.S. Army Military Police
7 with the 9th Infantry Division from 1966 to 1968 in Vietnam,
8 during which time he earned the Army Commendation Medal;
9 Whereas, Tracy joined the Marion Fire Department in
10 1973, where he served for 20 years and would eventually retire
11 as Battalion Chief;
12 Whereas, During his service, Tracy served as President of
13 Local 676, the Marion firefighters union, and led firefighters in
14 a strike for better wages that went on to gain national attention
15 and bring awareness to the issue of firefighters salaries;
16 Whereas, In 1984, Tracy was elected to the Marion City
17 Council, where he served as an at-large council member for 3
18 years;
2024 DR 3835/DI LF 2
1 Whereas, Tracy then moved on to the Indiana House of
2 Representatives, where he served District 31 from 1987 to
3 1992, during which time he helped bring the Mississinewa
4 Riverwalk, a fitness and recreation trail, to Marion;
5 Whereas, Additionally, Tracy chaired and co-chaired many
6 committees in his time as a legislator and was chairman of the
7 Commission of Military and Veterans Affairs, as he was a
8 combat veteran;
9 Whereas, Tracy also selflessly helped saved one of his
10 fellow legislators who suffered a heart attack on the House
11 floor;
12 Whereas, In 1993, Tracy served on staff for Governor Evan
13 Bayh as the liaison to the House of Representatives and was
14 later appointed State Fire Marshal, where he would stay for 11
15 years and through 3 governors;
16 Whereas, After his time as State Fire Marshal, Tracy joined
17 Third House Advocacy Group and was also presented with the
18 Sagamore of the Wabash, the highest distinction awarded by
19 the governor;
20 Whereas, In 1997 he co-founded the Hoosier Burn Camp
21 for children traumatized by fires, and also supported many
22 groups and causes ranging from homeless assistance to animal
23 rights;
24 Whereas, In 2017, Tracy was inducted into the Marion Fire
25 Department Hall of Fame;
26 Whereas, Tracy passed away on January 8, 2024, and is
27 survived by his wife of 60 years, Virginia Ann Boatwright, their
28 3 children, 4 grandchildren, and his brother and sister, Terry
29 Boatwright and Merilyn Edwards; and
30 Whereas, Mark "Tracy" Boatwright dedicated his life to
2024 DR 3835/DI LF 3
1 service of others and was passionate about helping as many
2 people as he could throughout his life: Therefore,
3
4 Be it resolved by the Senate of the
5 General Assembly of the State of Indiana:
6 SECTION 1. That the Indiana Senate memorializes the
7 Honorable Mark "Tracy" Boatwright.
8 SECTION 2. That the Secretary of the Senate transmit
9 copies of this resolution to the family of the Honorable Mark
10 "Tracy" Boatwright.
2024 DR 3835/DI LF