SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 431
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to recognize
Billy Parker, who 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 Texas
A&M Engineering Extension Service 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 Texas A&M University
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 Texas A&M Engineering
Extension Service 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 Senate of the State of Texas, 84th
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 a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
Mr. Parker as an expression of esteem from the Texas Senate.
Schwertner
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President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on March 25, 2015.
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Secretary of the Senate
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Member, Texas Senate