H.R. No. 75
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, All Americans are mourning the tragic loss of 19
brave men from the Prescott Fire Department's Granite Mountain
Hotshots, who died on June 30, 2013, while battling the 2,000-acre
Yarnell Hill fire northwest of Phoenix, Arizona; and
WHEREAS, Members of an elite squad working on the front lines
to protect lives and homes, these courageous firefighters were
trained to be on the ground for up to 21 days without a break, and to
race into fire carrying 40 pounds of gear in an effort to keep the
flames from spreading by digging deep trenches and clearing the
ground of potential fuel; they met strict standards of physical
fitness in order to be able to conduct operations under difficult
conditions, often in roadless terrain; the only "hotshot" crew in
the country organized through a city fire department, the group
joined the battle against the Yarnell Hill fire after having spent
weeks helping to contain fires in New Mexico and on the outskirts of
Prescott; and
WHEREAS, The firefighters who perished were Andrew Ashcraft,
Robert Caldwell, Travis Carter, Dustin Deford, Christopher
MacKenzie, Grant McKee, Sean Misner, Scott Norris, Wade Parker,
John Percin, Anthony Rose, Jesse Steed, Joe Thurston, Travis
Turbyfill, William Warneke, Clayton Whitted, Kevin Woyjeck, Garret
Zuppiger, and unit superintendent Eric Marsh; Brendan McDonough,
the 20th member of the team, was positioned at a lookout point and
radioed to alert the others to a sudden change in wind direction
just before catastrophe struck; he survives to carry on their
memory; and
WHEREAS, Selflessly dedicated to the safety and well-being of
their fellow citizens, 19 Americans gave their lives in the line of
duty, and their sacrifice is a solemn reminder of the perils faced
by all firefighters and the immeasurable debt we owe to the heroes
who answer this noble calling; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas
Legislature, 2nd Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the lives of
the 19 men of the Granite Mountain Hotshots killed in the Yarnell
Hill fire and extend deepest condolences to their loved ones, their
colleagues, and their community; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for the Prescott Fire Department and that when the Texas
House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of
the firefighters lost in the Yarnell Hill fire.
Larson
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 75 was unanimously adopted by a rising
vote of the House on July 25, 2013.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House