H.R. No. 1568
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Major General Christopher J. Powers, commander of
the Texas State Guard, has rendered exceptional service to this
state and country over the course of a military career that has
spanned more than four decades; and
WHEREAS, General Powers was commissioned a second lieutenant
of field artillery on his graduation from St. Mary's University in
1969, and during the next four years, he served overseas in Germany
and South Korea; and
WHEREAS, After leaving active duty in 1973, General Powers
spent 27 years with the Texas Army National Guard; his many posts
with the guard included assignment as the commander of two field
artillery battalions, as director of logistics for the 111th Area
Support Group, as division artillery commander of the 49th Armored
Division, and as assistant division commander for maneuver for the
49th Armored Division Task Force Texas; and
WHEREAS, In 2000, General Powers retired from the army
national guard and joined the Texas State Guard; he served as
commander of the 1st Brigade from 2002 to 2003 and then as deputy
commander of the state guard for nearly three years, until assuming
his present post in May 2006; and
WHEREAS, In his position as commander of the Texas State
Guard, General Powers oversees a force that provides critical
assistance to local and state authorities in times of emergency;
the guard is routinely involved in flood and hurricane relief and is
presently engaged in a border security initiative and an oral
rabies vaccination program, as well as other efforts; and
WHEREAS, This esteemed officer is a graduate of the U.S. Army
Field Artillery Officers Basic and Advanced courses, U.S. Army
Armor School Battalion Maintenance Officer Course, U.S. Army
Adjutant General School, U.S. Army Command and General Staff
College, and U.S. Army War College; he also holds a master's degree
in environmental management and urban planning from The University
of Texas at San Antonio; and
WHEREAS, General Powers is the recipient of numerous military
awards, among them the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service
Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Army Commendation Medal, the
Army Achievement Medal, the Lone Star Distinguished Service Medal,
and the Texas Outstanding Service Medal; and
WHEREAS, Throughout a career distinguished by decisive
leadership and consummate professionalism, General Powers has set
the highest standards of excellence in the execution of his duties,
and he has earned the appreciation of every Texan; now, therefore,
be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas
Legislature hereby honor Major General Christopher J. Powers for
his outstanding military service and extend to him sincere best
wishes for continued success in all his endeavors; and, be it
further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for General Powers as an expression of high regard by the
Texas House of Representatives.
Flynn
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 1568 was adopted by the House on May
4, 2009, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House