H.R. No. 147
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, James Moya, a member of the Shamrock Volunteer Fire
Department, was part of a coalition of first responders who risked
their lives to battle the deadly wildfires that swept across the
Texas Panhandle in March 2017; and
WHEREAS, An employee of Wheeler County Precinct 3, James Moya
has served as a volunteer firefighter with Shamrock VFD for more
than 10 years; on March 23, 2017, he and a number of other area
firefighters and county employees, including his father, Frank
Moya, were called to help contain a wildfire that had broken out
near Shamrock; while using a road grader to create a firebreak, he
was trapped inside his machine when it stalled and the wind suddenly
shifted, sending the flames in his direction; the fire soon
engulfed the grader, where the heat became so intense that the
windows shattered; and
WHEREAS, Fighting for his life, James Moya managed to radio
for help; his message was heard by his father, who was driving a
road grader of his own and who immediately went to help; the elder
Mr. Moya was able to move his son to safety, and James was
ultimately transported by helicopter to a medical center in
Lubbock; he suffered burns to more than 30 percent of his body and
spent 60 days in the burn unit before returning to Shamrock, where
he was welcomed home by a grateful community; and
WHEREAS, Although Mr. Moya is still recovering from his
injuries, he draws strength from the support of a loving family that
includes his father, his mother, Melanie Moya, his sister, Shonda,
his wife, Alisha, and his three young sons; and
WHEREAS, James Moya's exceptional valor and commitment to
serving others have made him a source of immense pride to his family
and a hero to his community, and he has earned the respect and
admiration of all his fellow Texans; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas
Legislature, 1st Called Session, hereby honor James Moya for his
courage and sacrifice during the Texas Panhandle wildfire crisis of
2017 and extend to him sincere best wishes for the future; and, be
it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Mr. Moya as an expression of high regard by the Texas
House of Representatives.
Springer
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 147 was adopted by the House on August
15, 2017, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House