SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 345
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to
welcome members of the State Firemen's and Fire Marshals'
Association of Texas on Firefighter Legislative Day at the State
Capitol on March 25, 2009; and
WHEREAS, The members of this esteemed organization are
gathering to recognize and honor the tireless and heroic actions
of the members of the Texas fire service; the names of six
courageous volunteer firefighters who died in the line of duty
are being unveiled at the volunteer firemen's monument on the
Capitol grounds; and
WHEREAS, The firemen being honored are Elmer Homilius of
the Comfort Volunteer Fire Department, who died October 15, 1984;
Austin Cheek of the Noonday Volunteer Fire Department, who died
August 3, 2007; Kevin Williams of the Noonday Volunteer Fire
Department, who died August 3, 2007; William Simes of the
Giddings Volunteer Fire Department, who died September 25, 2007;
Robert Knight of the Teague Volunteer Fire Department, who died
July 5, 2008; and Joe Jordan of the Pickton Pine Forest Volunteer
Fire Department, who died July 4, 2008; most of the families of
the fallen firefighters are here with us today; and
WHEREAS, The State Firemen's and Fire Marshals'
Association of Texas is the oldest and the largest fire service
organization in the state; the association was founded in 1876
and currently represents more than 1,200 fire departments,
19,000 individual members, and 80 industrial fire brigades; and
WHEREAS, The association sponsors and supports the world's
largest fire-training school, held each summer at Texas A&M
University; the association also provides instructors and
professional services on the fire school's advisory board; and
WHEREAS, The cornerstone of the State Firemen's and Fire
Marshals' Association is the certification program for volunteer
firefighters, which encourages training, education, and
certification for all volunteers; and
WHEREAS, Approximately 70 percent of the firefighters
providing fire service to the citizens of Texas are volunteer
firefighters; they volunteer their valuable services, responding
to emergency calls and attending training sessions to learn the
latest firefighting techniques; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 81st
Legislature, hereby commend the firefighters of Texas for their
courageous actions and devotion to duty on behalf of their fellow
citizens and pay tribute to the volunteer firefighters who have
died in the line of duty; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared in
honor of the firefighters and fire marshals of Texas.
Estes
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President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on March 2, 2009.
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Secretary of the Senate
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Member, Texas Senate