Texas 2017 - 85th Regular

Texas Senate Bill SR467 Compare Versions

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Old	New	Differences
1	1	SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 467
2	2	In Memory
3	3	of
4	4	William Dowling
5	5	WHEREAS, A life marked by tremendous courage and resolve
6	6	came to an untimely end with the passing of William Dowling, a
7	7	former captain in the Houston Fire Department, on March 7, 2017,
8	8	at the age of 43; and
9	9	WHEREAS, Born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on March 14,
10	10	1973, Bill Dowling was the son of Mary and Rick Dowling; he moved
11	11	with his family to Texas in his youth and graduated from Klein Oak
12	12	High School in Spring in 1993; after joining the United States
13	13	Marine Corps, he advanced to the rank of corporal and served in a
14	14	number of locations, including Somalia, Bahrain, and Saudi
15	15	Arabia; his military awards included a Combat Action Ribbon, a
16	16	Good Conduct Medal, a Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal, a
17	17	National Defense Service Medal, a Southwest Asia Service Medal,
18	18	and a Sea Service Deployment Ribbon; and
19	19	WHEREAS, Imbued with a passion for public service, Bill
20	20	Dowling pursued a career as a firefighter after returning to
21	21	civilian life; he joined the Champions Fire Department and then,
22	22	in 2000, the Houston Fire Department, where he rose through the
23	23	ranks while working in some of the city's busiest stations; his
24	24	years on the job were made all the more fulfilling by the strong
25	25	bond of camaraderie that he shared with his brothers and sisters
26	26	in uniform; and
27	27	WHEREAS, Captain Dowling demonstrated the true depth of
28	28	his commitment to duty as one of the first responders who were
29	29	called to battle a massive five-alarm fire at the Southwest Inn
30	30	on May 31, 2013, the deadliest day in the history of the Houston
31	31	Fire Department; when the roof of the hotel collapsed, he lost
32	32	four of his comrades and sustained life-altering injuries, which
33	33	forced him to retire from the career he loved; and
34	34	WHEREAS, This inspiring Texan earned the nickname "Iron
35	35	Bill" during his long, valiant effort to recover in the four
36	36	years after he left the department; he drew comfort and
37	37	encouragement from the love of his wife of 23 years, Jacki, and
38	38	their treasured children, Forrest, Faith, and Foster; in the
39	39	course of his struggles, his faith became a guiding light, and he
40	40	took pride in having read every page of the Bible; and
41	41	WHEREAS, Captain Bill Dowling found his purpose in serving
42	42	a cause greater than himself, and when tragedy cast a shadow over
43	43	his future, his determination and bravery in fighting back
44	44	captured the hearts of countless people; he will be greatly
45	45	missed by his family, friends, and former colleagues, who will
46	46	never forget his sacrifice or the extraordinary strength of
47	47	character that defined his life; now, therefore, be it
48	48	RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 85th
49	49	Legislature, hereby pay tribute to the memory of William Dowling
50	50	and extend sincere condolences to all those who mourn his
51	51	passing; and, be it further
52	52	RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
53	53	his family and that when the Texas Senate adjourns this day, it do
54	54	so in memory of William Dowling.
55	55	Bettencourt
56	56	________________________________
57	57	President of the Senate
58	58	I hereby certify that the
59	59	above Resolution was adopted by
60	60	the Senate on March 20, 2017, by a
61	61	rising vote.
62	62	________________________________
63	63	Secretary of the Senate
64	64	________________________________
65	65	Member, Texas Senate