84R15737 CJM-D
By: Martinez H.R. No. 1510
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Billy Parker is retiring as director of the Texas
A&M Engineering Extension Service's Texas Task Force 1 on March 31,
2015; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Parker began his long and distinguished career
in public service in 1976, when he became a firefighter for the
Clyde Fire Department; he went on to join the Texas A&M Engineering
Extension Service, a state agency that trains public safety workers
and provides emergency responders during large-scale crises;
there, he helped establish the new Regional Texas Task Force System
and develop an expansive and comprehensive training facility called
Disaster City; in addition, he acted as chief of the TEEX Recruit
Academy and oversaw the training of more than 1,500 fire cadets; and
WHEREAS, Widely recognized as an expert in search and rescue,
Mr. Parker also played a key role in the growth of the agency's
Texas Task Force 1 from a small advisory board to one of the most
called-upon rescue teams in the country; as a member of the task
force, he was deployed during several prominent state and national
disasters, including the A&M bonfire collapse, the World Trade
Center attack, and Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Ike; he was named
director of Texas Task Force 1 in 2012; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Parker received the TEEX Distinguished Service
Award in 2005 and the Regents Fellow Service Award from The Texas
A&M University System Board of Regents the following year; and
WHEREAS, An engaged member of his community, Mr. Parker has
served as a volunteer firefighter, a paramedic, and a girls'
softball coach; he has also been a valued congregant of Hillcrest
Baptist Church for more than 22 years; and
WHEREAS, Through his loyalty, integrity, and unwavering
commitment to the safety and well-being of his fellow Texans, Billy
Parker has set a standard of leadership and service to which others
may aspire, and he may reflect with pride on a career well spent;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas
Legislature hereby congratulate Billy Parker on his retirement from
the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service and extend to him
sincere best wishes for continued success and happiness; and, be it
further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Mr. Parker as an expression of high regard by the Texas
House of Representatives.