82R25312 JH-D
By: Callegari H.R. No. 1645
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, In October 2010, the Galveston Company of the
Houston Medical Response Group of the Texas State Guard was
officially activated as the Galveston Medical Response Group,
becoming the first and only company in the Texas State Guard to earn
such a designation; the unit is commemorating that achievement with
an activation ceremony on April 30, 2011, and this occasion
provides a welcome opportunity to recognize the outstanding service
it has rendered to the citizens of the Lone Star State; and
WHEREAS, An all-volunteer military organization, the
Galveston Company provides licensed public health support
personnel and technical support expertise and serves as a medical
response team for large-scale natural and man-made disasters;
formed in 2005 under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Brian
Zachariah, the unit has been led by Lieutenant Colonel Roger
Vertrees since 2009, and as of September 2010 included 50 soldiers;
and
WHEREAS, The members of the company have been especially
effective in responding to the hurricanes that have made landfall
in Texas in the past five years; for its actions during Hurricanes
Katrina and Rita, the group was awarded the Texas Governor's Unit
Citation for Meritorious Conduct in Performance of Outstanding
Service as well as the State Guard Association of the United States
Superior Unit Citation; in addition, its members' efforts during
Katrina earned the company the Meritorious Unit Award; and
WHEREAS, Since 2006, the Galveston Company has taken part in
Operation Lone Star, an annual joint civilian and military
humanitarian medical mission that takes place along the
Texas-Mexico border; this worthwhile initiative allows the unit to
conduct medical-innovative readiness training exercises while
simultaneously providing free medical services to residents
throughout the Rio Grande Valley; and
WHEREAS, The exemplary work of the Galveston Company, often
rendered in demanding and dangerous conditions, is in keeping with
the proud tradition of service that has distinguished the Texas
State Guard throughout its 70-year history, and the company's
soldiers are richly deserving of the response group status that has
been bestowed on their unit; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas
Legislature hereby honor the Galveston Company of the Houston
Medical Response Group of the Texas State Guard on its activation as
the Galveston Medical Response Group and extend sincere gratitude
to its members for their remarkable service and heroism; and, be it
further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for the unit as an expression of high regard by the Texas
House of Representatives.