H.R. No. 2121
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Joel F. Fitzgerald, Sr., has rendered exceptional
service in his capacity as chief of police in Missouri City; and
WHEREAS, Chief Fitzgerald assumed his present office in April
2009, and since that time his leadership and commitment have helped
the community of approximately 70,000 residents remain one of the
safest cities in the nation; this distinguished law officer leads a
department of more than 100 employees, and in 2010 he took
justifiable pride in seeing the Missouri City PD named a Recognized
Law Enforcement Agency by the Texas Police Chiefs Association
Foundation; that same year, Chief Fitzgerald received the
President's Award from the Missouri City branch of the NAACP for his
tireless efforts to further the mission of the department and for
his service as a role model for young African American men who
desire to become police officers themselves; and
WHEREAS, Joel Fitzgerald began his law enforcement career in
1992 as an officer with the Philadelphia Police Department; over
the course of his 17 years with that agency he established a notable
record of achievement, winning the Officer of the Year award for his
district in 1993 and serving as commanding officer of
Philadelphia's Intensive Drug Investigation Division; as part of
his extensive training, he has attended an FBI certification
program in community policing, as well as the Police Executive
Development Institute at Penn State Abington; and
WHEREAS, After graduating from Villanova University with a
bachelor of arts degree, Chief Fitzgerald earned a master's degree
in business administration from Eastern University in St. Davids,
Pennsylvania; he is currently pursuing a doctoral degree from
Northcentral University; and
WHEREAS, In all of his endeavors, Chief Fitzgerald enjoys the
love and support of his wife, Pauline, an 11-year veteran of the
Philadelphia PD, and their three children; and
WHEREAS, Through his unwavering dedication to protecting the
lives and property of his fellow citizens, Joel Fitzgerald has
earned the respect and admiration of his colleagues and the lasting
gratitude of his community, and his record of public service is a
continuing source of inspiration to all who know him; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas
Legislature hereby commend Police Chief Joel F. Fitzgerald, Sr.,
for his outstanding service to the people of Missouri City and
extend to him sincere best wishes for continued success; and, be it
further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Chief Fitzgerald as an expression of high regard by the
Texas House of Representatives.
Reynolds
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 2121 was adopted by the House on May
26, 2011, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House