H.R. No. 375 R E S O L U T I O N WHEREAS, Command Sergeant Major Paul Roger Kirk retired from the Texas State Guard in 2012, drawing to a close an outstanding record of service in the armed forces that covered more than 50 years; and WHEREAS, A native of Houston, Paul Kirk joined the United States Air Force in 1957 and served in Georgia, Germany, France, and South Carolina before his discharge from active duty in 1965; he subsequently enlisted in the U.S. Air Force Reserve, in which he served from 1965 to 1967 and from 1971 to 1977; Sergeant Major Kirk next joined the Texas Army National Guard, an organization to which he devoted nearly 21 years; he has served in the Texas State Guard since 1998; and WHEREAS, Sergeant Major Kirk's extensive military education has included training as a photo equipment repairman and as an aircraft loadmaster, a specialty for which he held instructor certification; he also completed training in such areas as disaster management and terrorism response; and WHEREAS, Among the awards and citations bestowed on this distinguished Texan over the years have been the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Force Achievement Medal, two Good Conduct Medals, the Lone Star Distinguished Service Medal, and the Senior Aircrew Badge; and WHEREAS, In civilian life, Sergeant Major Kirk has been employed in pipe and vessel fabrication; he is a Mason and also a member of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Houston; he lives in Spring with his wife, Georgia Marie; and WHEREAS, Throughout his military career, Sergeant Major Paul Kirk demonstrated a consummate professionalism and an unfailing commitment to safeguarding the welfare of his fellow citizens, and he is indeed deserving of their deepest respect and gratitude; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas Legislature hereby congratulate Command Sergeant Major Paul Kirk on his retirement from the Texas State Guard and extend to him sincere best wishes for continued happiness; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for Sergeant Major Kirk as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Fletcher ______________________________ Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 375 was adopted by the House on February 28, 2013, by a non-record vote. ______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House