82R8508 JBA-D
By: Flynn H.R. No. 570
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The Texas State Guard is celebrating the 70th
anniversary of its founding in 2011; and
WHEREAS, Originally called the Texas Defense Guard, this
branch of the Texas military forces was authorized by the Defense
Act (House Bill 45), which was signed into law by Governor Pappy
O'Daniel on February 10, 1941; created to take the place of the
National Guard units being mobilized for the war effort, the Texas
State Guard has since evolved into a rapidly deployable emergency
action force that is ready to respond at a moment's notice to
natural and man-made disasters; this capability is in keeping with
its mandate to provide a mission-ready volunteer force for service
to the Lone Star State; and
WHEREAS, The individual units of the Texas State Guard are
the 4th and 5th Air Wings, the Maritime Regiment, the Texas Medical
Brigade, and six regional regiments: The 1st, nicknamed the Alamo
Guards, the 2nd, called the Austin Greys, the 4th, known as the
Panther City Fencibles, the 8th, Terry's Texas Rangers, the 19th,
Parson's Brigade, and the 39th, the Roughnecks; and
WHEREAS, The volunteer nature of the Texas State Guard makes
it a highly cost-effective and efficient force; members serve in an
unpaid capacity, unless called to active duty, and because they are
locally based throughout the state they can respond to emergencies
within two hours of notification; the valiant men and women who
belong to the state guard together provide an estimated 40,000 days
per year of uncompensated community service and disaster training;
and
WHEREAS, For seven decades, the Texas State Guard has helped
ensure the safety and well-being of the residents of the Lone Star
State, and its long history of service, often rendered in demanding
and dangerous conditions, is indeed deserving of recognition; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas
Legislature hereby commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Texas
State Guard and extend sincere gratitude to its members; and, be it
further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for the Texas State Guard as an expression of high regard
by the Texas House of Representatives.