87R8148 JGH-D
By: King of Parker H.R. No. 110
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, In February 2021, Texas is celebrating the 80th
anniversary of the Texas State Guard; and
WHEREAS, The first colonial militia was established in Texas
in 1823, and after independence from Mexico and statehood, the
various militias across Texas were consolidated in 1871 as the
State Guard, which was replaced in 1903 by the Texas Army National
Guard; in 1940, the creation of local military units was authorized
by the U.S. Congress whenever the National Guard was deployed for
federal service, and on February 10, 1941, the Texas Legislature
created the Texas State Guard, which quickly grew to include almost
17,500 officers and enlisted personnel organized into 50
battalions; in 1948, the legislature activated the Texas State
Guard Reserve Corps, which continued until the Texas State Guard
was reauthorized in 1965; and
WHEREAS, One of the three branches of the Texas Military
Department, the Texas State Guard is headquartered at Camp Mabry in
Austin; over the years, this mission-ready military force's duties
have included providing security for the state's infrastructure
during World War II, maintaining order after civil unrest, and
conducting recovery efforts after such catastrophic events as the
explosion of a freighter in Texas City in 1947 and the loss of the
space shuttle Columbia in 2003; since 2005, the guard's 125
deployments have included responding to Hurricanes Katrina, Rita,
Ike, and Harvey and the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the long-term
border missions Operation Border Star and Operation Drawbridge; it
has also taken part in such public service efforts as Operation Lone
Star, which provides critical medical care to underserved
populations in South Texas; and
WHEREAS, For eight decades, the men and women of the Texas
State Guard have lived up to their motto, "Equal to the Task," by
standing ready to aid and protect their fellow citizens, and their
remarkable record of courageous and dedicated service is truly
worthy of celebration on this milestone occasion; now, therefore,
be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas
Legislature hereby commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Texas
State Guard and extend to all those associated with the guard
sincere best wishes for continued success in their important work;
and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for the Texas State Guard as an expression of high regard
by the Texas House of Representatives.