89R15777 BK-D
By: Muñoz H.R. No. 399
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Three members of the Pharr Fire Department,
Battalion Chief Sergio Vasquez and engineers Jesus Gonzalez and
Charlie Cavazos, went above and beyond the call of duty to assist in
fighting the catastrophic wildfires that swept across Southern
California in January 2025; and
WHEREAS, The fires broke out in Los Angeles and were fueled by
extreme drought conditions and powerful Santa Ana winds, which
reached speeds of up to 80 miles per hour; as the blazes spread
across Los Angeles County, nearly 200,000 residents were forced to
evacuate, and at least 28 people tragically lost their lives; fires
in the hardest-hit areas raged for weeks, overwhelming local
firefighters' attempts to control them; the economic impact of the
disaster is projected at some $150 billion, making it one of the
costliest in modern United States history; and
WHEREAS, With the fires threatening neighborhoods and entire
communities across the region, a team from the Pharr Fire
Department courageously answered the call for assistance,
mobilizing with seven other agencies as part of the Alamo Strike
Team and the Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System; these highly
trained and dedicated individuals worked side by side with
firefighters from around the country to contain the blazes and help
protect the lives and property of those who were in the path of
destruction; facing a task that at times seemed impossible, they
braved treacherous conditions, worked through exhaustion, and
willingly committed to spending weeks away from their families to
render aid; notably, the Pharr Fire Department was the only fire
department south of San Antonio that stepped forward to help during
this crisis; and
WHEREAS, These individuals distinguished themselves through
their willingness to venture far from home and put themselves in
harm's way at a time of desperate need, and through their actions,
they have provided a testament to the strength of the Pharr
community and the spirit of solidarity that unites us as Americans;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas
Legislature hereby commend Battalion Chief Sergio Vasquez and
engineers Jesus Gonzalez and Charlie Cavazos of the Pharr Fire
Department for deploying to California to battle the historic 2025
wildfires and extend to them sincere appreciation for their
selfless dedication to their duties in and beyond their community;
and, be it further
RESOLVED, That official copies of this resolution be prepared
for the City of Pharr and for Mr. Vasquez, Mr. Gonzalez, and
Mr. Cavazos as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of
Representatives.