82R17283 JGH-D
By: Keffer H.R. No. 979
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Proud members of the State Firemen's and Fire
Marshals' Association of Texas are gathering on March 23, 2011, to
commemorate Firefighter Legislative Day at the State Capitol; and
WHEREAS, These esteemed men and women are paying tribute to
the tireless and heroic actions of all members of the Texas fire
service, and especially one courageous volunteer firefighter,
Captain Thomas Araguz III, who died in the line of duty and whose
name is being unveiled at the Volunteer Firemen monument on the
Capitol grounds; and
WHEREAS, Captain Araguz was a member of the Wharton Volunteer
Fire Department until his death on July 4, 2010, and his family is
here with us today to honor his memory; and
WHEREAS, Founded in 1876, the State Firemen's and Fire
Marshals' Association of Texas is the oldest fire service
organization in the state; it is also the largest, with 1,200 fire
and emergency services departments, more than 21,000 individual
members, 80 industrial fire brigades, and 100 international
members; and
WHEREAS, SFFMA 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 SFFMA is the certification
program for volunteer firefighters, which encourages training,
education, and certification for all volunteers; and
WHEREAS, Approximately 70 to 80 percent of Texas firefighters
are volunteers who attend training sessions to learn the latest
firefighting techniques and who contribute their time and effort to
respond to emergency calls; and
WHEREAS, The State Firemen's and Fire Marshals' Association
of Texas is working to uphold its mission to promote, unify,
represent, and educate the fire service of Texas, and it is a
privilege to recognize the brave men and women who help safeguard
lives and property in communities all across the Lone Star State;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas
Legislature hereby commend the firefighters of Texas for their
courageous actions and devotion to duty in behalf of their fellow
citizens and pay tribute to the volunteer firefighters who have
died in the line of duty.