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| 3 | 4 | | |
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| 4 | 5 | | R E S O L U T I O N |
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| 5 | 6 | | WHEREAS, George Calanche is retiring from the Texas |
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| 6 | 7 | | Department of Criminal Justice in August 2015, drawing to a close a |
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| 7 | 8 | | notable career in the service of his nation and his state that has |
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| 8 | 9 | | spanned more than four decades; and |
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| 9 | 10 | | WHEREAS, Born in El Paso in 1951, George Valdez Calanche |
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| 10 | 11 | | joined the U.S. Army in August 1974 and served in artillery units |
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| 11 | 12 | | for over 20 years as a cannon crewmember; for 12 of those years, he |
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| 12 | 13 | | also served as a reenlistment NCO and recruiter, earning |
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| 13 | 14 | | recognition from his commanding officers for his sterling |
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| 14 | 15 | | performance in that position; his commendations include four Army |
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| 15 | 16 | | Commendation Medals, six Army Achievement Medals, six Army Good |
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| 16 | 17 | | Conduct Medals, and two National Defense Service Medals; he retired |
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| 17 | 18 | | from the army in February 1995, at the rank of sergeant first class; |
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| 18 | 19 | | and |
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| 19 | 20 | | WHEREAS, Mr. Calanche began his career with the Texas |
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| 20 | 21 | | Department of Criminal Justice in December 1996, when he joined the |
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| 21 | 22 | | staff of Rogelio Sanchez State Jail in El Paso; during his years |
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| 22 | 23 | | with the jail, he has received the TDCJ Executive Order of Merit, as |
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| 23 | 24 | | well as a TDCJ Certificate of Merit for his 10 years of volunteer |
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| 24 | 25 | | service as a qualified Spanish interpreter; he has also been |
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| 25 | 26 | | recognized as Employee of the Month, and he has been nominated for |
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| 26 | 27 | | the International Association of Correctional Officers |
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| 27 | 28 | | Correctional Officer of the Year award; and |
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| 28 | 29 | | WHEREAS, In addition to going above and beyond in carrying |
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| 29 | 30 | | out his professional responsibilities, Mr. Calanche has generously |
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| 30 | 31 | | given of his time and energy in behalf of a number of worthy causes; |
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| 31 | 32 | | he has vigorously promoted the State Employee Charitable Campaign, |
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| 32 | 33 | | and he has supported the Special Olympics by organizing |
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| 33 | 34 | | fund-raisers and by participating in the Special Olympics |
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| 34 | 35 | | Organizational Day Barbecue and Softball Tournament and in the Law |
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| 35 | 36 | | Enforcement Torch Run; and |
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| 36 | 37 | | WHEREAS, Mr. Calanche is also beloved for the effort he makes |
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| 37 | 38 | | to provide assistance and comfort to his coworkers and the inmates |
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| 38 | 39 | | under his care; he has served on the Post Trauma Staff Support team, |
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| 39 | 40 | | and he regularly organizes celebrations for birthdays, |
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| 40 | 41 | | retirements, and holidays; he often provides emotional and |
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| 41 | 42 | | financial support to families in need, and he is always ready with a |
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| 42 | 43 | | warm smile or a hug or words of encouragement; and |
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| 43 | 44 | | WHEREAS, George Calanche's dedication, professionalism, and |
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| 44 | 45 | | compassionate spirit have greatly benefited the functioning of |
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| 45 | 46 | | Rogelio Sanchez State Jail and earned him the respect and |
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| 46 | 47 | | admiration of his peers, and he may indeed reflect with pride on a |
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| 47 | 48 | | career well-spent as he leaves the institution he has served so |
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| 48 | 49 | | well; now, therefore, be it |
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| 49 | 50 | | RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas |
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| 50 | 51 | | Legislature hereby commend George Valdez Calanche for his service |
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| 51 | 52 | | in the U.S. Army and the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and |
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| 52 | 53 | | extend to him sincere best wishes for his retirement; and, be it |
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| 53 | 54 | | further |
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| 54 | 55 | | RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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| 55 | 56 | | prepared for Mr. Calanche as an expression of high regard by the |
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| 56 | 57 | | Texas House of Representatives. |
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