SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 19
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to
recognize Lieutenant Colonel Eric D. Patterson, who is retiring
as commander and conductor of the Air National Guard Band of the
Southwest after 24 years of outstanding military service; and
WHEREAS, Lieutenant Colonel Patterson enlisted in the Air
National Guard as a band officer in 1997 following a successful
competitive audition; in 1998, he became commander of the 562nd
Air Force Band, and he served in that position for 14 years; the
band became known for its innovative techniques, and for several
years, it accounted for 40 percent of all performances by Air
National Guard Bands in the United States; and
WHEREAS, In 2011, he was deployed as the officer in charge
of Blue Hawk, the pop-rock ensemble of the 531st Air Force Band of
the Texas Air National Guard; later that year, he assumed command
of the Texas Air National Guard Band, which became known as the
Air National Guard Band of the Southwest; and
WHEREAS, As commander, he took charge of restructuring the
band's departments, and he initiated a successful student
recruiting program and promoted a major increase in performance
opportunities; he served as conductor at the ceremonies of the
opening of the George W. Bush Presidential Library, and from 2017
through 2020, he served on the Chief of the National Guard
Bureau's National Guard Innovation Team; and
WHEREAS, Over the course of his distinguished career, he
conducted live and televised military concert band performances
that reached millions of people; he produced two compact discs of
American music that were named the Best-Ever Air National Guard
Band recordings; it is truly fitting that he receive special
recognition for his achievements; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 87th
Legislature, hereby commend Lieutenant Colonel Eric D. Patterson
on his exceptional service as commander and conductor of the Air
National Guard Band of the Southwest and extend to him best
wishes for continued success in all his endeavors; and, be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
him as an expression of high regard from the Texas Senate.
Nelson
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President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on February 9, 2021.
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Secretary of the Senate
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Member, Texas Senate