SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 92
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to
recognize Retired General Tommy R. Franks, who is being honored
by the Midland Independent School District for his distinguished
service to the nation; and
WHEREAS, In May of 2017, the Midland Independent School
District Board of Trustees voted to change the name of Crockett
Elementary School to General Tommy Franks Elementary School in
honor of the beloved town hero; and
WHEREAS, Born in Wynnewood, Oklahoma, Tommy Franks grew up
in Midland, and he graduated from Robert E. Lee High School; he
joined the United States Army in 1965, and he was commissioned as
a second lieutenant two years later; and
WHEREAS, This courageous serviceman earned six awards for
valor during his service in the Vietnam War and received three
Purple Hearts; in the following three decades, he gained
knowledge and leadership experience through his service in West
Germany, the demilitarized zone in Korea, and the Middle East;
along the way, he earned a bachelor's degree from The University
of Texas at Arlington and a master's degree from Shippensburg
University, and he graduated from both the Armed Forces Staff
College and the Army War College; and
WHEREAS, In 2000, General Franks was promoted to four-star
general and assigned as the commander-in-chief of the United
States Central Command; in this position, he led United States
and coalition troops in two strategically unprecedented
campaigns in two years, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation
Iraqi Freedom; and
WHEREAS, General Franks retired from military service in
2003 having earned numerous medals and distinctions, and the
following year, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom;
in recognition of his exemplary service to the nation, the campus
at 401 East Parker Avenue will be known as the General Tommy
Franks Elementary School beginning with the 2017-2018 school
year; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 85th
Legislature, 1st Called Session, hereby commend Retired General
Tommy R. Franks for his exceptional commitment to his country and
his outstanding service in the United States Army and
congratulate him on being honored with a namesake school campus
in Midland; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
him as an expression of esteem from the Texas Senate.
Seliger
________________________________
President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on August 3, 2017.
________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
________________________________
Member, Texas Senate