SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 192
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to
recognize the citizens of West and the many first responders who
helped the city recover from the devastation of the West
Fertilizer Company explosion; and
WHEREAS, On April 17, 2013, an explosion shook the City of
West with the force of an earthquake that could be felt 50 miles
away; hundreds of homes were damaged and the community was left
with $100 million in property damage; and
WHEREAS, Most tragically, 15 citizens lost their lives that
day, and 12 of those were first responders seeking to help those
in danger; and
WHEREAS, In true Texas form, firefighters from across the
state worked alongside the West Volunteer Fire Department in
the aftermath of the explosion; two civilians, Jimmy Matus and
William Uptmor Jr., lost their lives while assisting others and
were posthumously named honorary firefighters by the West
Volunteer Fire Department; and
WHEREAS, The City of West is a small community, and
residents share in a proud heritage of helping one another
through difficult times; the citizens joined together to help
their neighbors recover from the tragic event, and they are
indeed worthy of recognition for their courage and resolve; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 84th
Legislature, hereby commend the residents of West and all the
brave first responders who helped the city recover from the West
Fertilizer Company explosion; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
the city as an expression of esteem from the Texas Senate.
Birdwell
________________________________
President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on February 18, 2015.
________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
________________________________
Member, Texas Senate