85R9776 JGH-D
By: Anderson of McLennan H.R. No. 395
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Jake and Josh Burson have earned the distinction of
becoming the first brothers to serve simultaneously as Texas
Rangers since the modern force was created in 1935; and
WHEREAS, The Bursons are also believed to be the first
brothers to serve as Rangers at the same time since the legendary
Frank Hamer and three of his brothers, Estill, Harrison, and
Flavious, served together in the early decades of the 20th century;
and
WHEREAS, The sons of James Burson, a former Department of
Public Safety trooper and assistant chief of police in McGregor,
Jake and Josh Burson had both wanted to pursue careers in law
enforcement since childhood; they each graduated from McGregor High
School and went on to attend McLennan Community College in Waco; and
WHEREAS, Josh Burson, the younger brother, began training at
the DPS Academy in September 2001, while his older brother, Jake,
entered the academy in January 2002, and at their respective
graduations, their father pinned on their DPS badges; Jake Burson
began his career with the Highway Patrol, first in Cleburne and then
in Waco, before earning a promotion to the Criminal Investigations
Division in 2007; Josh Burson also started with the Highway Patrol,
first in Corsicana and then in Colorado City, and in 2008, he too
joined the CID; and
WHEREAS, Each brother aspired to become a Texas Ranger, an
elite group composed of fewer than 200 officers, but positions only
open up when a veteran Ranger retires; Jake Burson was the first to
secure a coveted position on the force, winning a place in 2010,
while his brother, Josh, joined him there four years later; they
have since served as proud members of the oldest law enforcement
organization in North America with statewide jurisdiction; and
WHEREAS, Throughout their careers, Jake and Josh Burson's
commitment to upholding the highest standards of their profession
has greatly benefited their fellow Texans, and they may indeed take
pride in standing shoulder to shoulder as members of one of the
preeminent law enforcement agencies in the world; now, therefore,
be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas
Legislature hereby honor Jake and Josh Burson on becoming the first
brothers to serve together in the Texas Rangers since the
organization of the present-day force in 1935 and extend to them
sincere best wishes for continued success in their important work;
and, be it further
RESOLVED, That official copies of this resolution be prepared
for Rangers Jake and Josh Burson as an expression of high regard by
the Texas House of Representatives.