H.R. No. 2707
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Retired U.S. Air Force Major General Gerald Prather
has led a full and generous life devoted to the service of others,
and he has been an esteemed member of the Del Rio community for more
than 20 years; and
WHEREAS, During his exceptional 32-year career in the U.S.
Air Force, this outstanding American rose from airman to major
general; he flew F-84 and F-100 fighters, served as a B-52 pilot for
the Strategic Air Command, and piloted C-130 cargo planes on 500
support missions during the Vietnam War; and
WHEREAS, General Prather also completed degrees in
electrical engineering and communications technology, and he
became a high-ranking communications officer for SAC, the U.S.
Readiness Command, and the Pentagon; he retired in 1986 at the rank
of major general, having earned the Distinguished Flying Cross, the
Bronze Star with "V" device, and the Order of the Sword, a
prestigious tribute from the enlisted ranks; and
WHEREAS, A resident of Del Rio since 1986, General Prather is
as dedicated to serving his community as he has been to serving his
nation; he held the office of Precinct 3 justice of the peace for 10
years and helped to create the Justice Juvenile Court; moreover, he
has been a member and president of the board of the United Way, as
well as the Eagle Scout advancement chair of the Amistad District of
the Boy Scouts of America; and
WHEREAS, General Prather has also been a leader in the Del Rio
Chamber of Commerce, serving as president and as a member of the
board, the Convention and Visitors Bureau, and the Special Projects
Committee; affiliated with the Lions Club for 50 years, he has been
president of the Host Lions Club in Del Rio, and he is vice
president and a life director of the Military Affairs Association;
and
WHEREAS, A man of strong religious faith, General Prather is
an ordained Eucharistic minister with St. James Episcopal Church,
where he has also served as senior warden of the vestry and as a
trustee; he acts as chaplain for the Juvenile Detention Center, the
Val Verde Regional Medical Center, and the Host Lions Club; and
WHEREAS, Throughout a lifetime of military and civic service,
Gerald Prather has provided exemplary, inspiring leadership, and
his contributions and accomplishments are indeed worthy of special
recognition; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas
Legislature hereby commend Major General Gerald Prather for his
service to this country and to the community of Del Rio and extend
to him sincere best wishes for continued success and happiness;
and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for General Prather as an expression of high regard by the
Texas House of Representatives.
Gallego
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 2707 was adopted by the House on May
31, 2009, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House