87R23201 CJM-D
By: Herrero H.R. No. 1032
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Ruben Perez is retiring as Fire Chief of Naval Air
Station Corpus Christi on May 31, 2021, drawing to a close a
distinguished career as a firefighter that has spanned more than
three decades; and
WHEREAS, A native of Ozona, Ruben Perez served in the U.S.
Navy from 1983 to 1989, and shortly after his discharge at the rank
of Petty Officer Third Class, he joined the Department of Defense
Fire and Emergency Services at NAS Corpus Christi; in 1990, he
transferred to the Naval Station Ingleside Fire and Emergency
Services Department, where he served as Firefighter, Engineer,
Captain, and Assistant Chief; in 1996, he graduated cum laude from
Del Mar College with an associate's degree in fire science; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Perez became Fire Chief at NAS Kingsville in
2001, and in 2004, he simultaneously took on the position of Fire
Chief at NAS Corpus Christi; by 2005, he was the Fire Chief for
three installations, NAS Corpus Christi, NAS Kingsville, and NS
Ingleside, managing seven district areas staffed by 16 engine
companies; under his leadership, NS Ingleside was named Department
of the Navy Small Fire Department of the Year and NAS Corpus Christi
was named CNRSE Large Fire Department of the Year; and
WHEREAS, During this time, Chief Perez also oversaw 60
firefighters in the response to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita,
implemented civil service upgrades of more than a hundred
firefighters, helped develop the Mobile Aircraft Firefighting
Training Device Program, and assisted the Secret Service in
conjunction with visits by Vice President Dick Cheney and President
George H. W. Bush, among many other achievements; and
WHEREAS, After the merger of Navy Region Southeast, Chief
Perez resumed service as Fire Chief of NAS Kingsville, which was
named Navy Medium Category Fire Department of the Year in 2009, and
since October 2017, he has been the Fire Chief of NAS Corpus
Christi; his many commendations and awards include the Good Conduct
Medal, two Civilian of the Year awards, Navy Fire Chief of the Year,
CNRSE Fire Chief of the Year, Senior Civilian of the Year, and the
Navy Civilian Meritorious Award; in his private life, he is active
with his church, the Knights of Columbus, and youth football and
baseball leagues, and in all his endeavors, he benefits from the
love and support of his children, Brandon, Brianna, and Blake; and
WHEREAS, Ruben Perez has demonstrated an exceptional
commitment to protecting the lives and property of his fellow
citizens, and he may reflect with pride on a career well spent; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas
Legislature hereby congratulate Chief Ruben Perez on his retirement
from Naval Air Station Corpus Christi 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 Chief Perez as an expression of high regard by the
Texas House of Representatives.