89R11722 CW-D
By: King S.R. No. 52
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Major General (Ret.) Anthony Woods, former
commanding general of the Texas State Guard, rendered exceptional
service to his country and his state over the course of a
distinguished military career that spanned four decades; and
WHEREAS, Anthony Woods received an early commission as a
second lieutenant in the U.S. Army in 1984; he attained the ranks of
first lieutenant, captain, and major with the Army National Guard,
and he served as executive officer for the 1st Battalion, 112th
Armor Regiment, during Operation Noble Eagle, the first deployment
of troops to protect critical infrastructure following the
terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001; he went on to become a
lieutenant colonel and the first African American commander of the
unit in 2005, providing vital leadership during the initial
American training exercise in Romania after the fall of the Soviet
Union; and
WHEREAS, The next year, Lieutenant Colonel Woods acted as
deputy commander for Operation Jump Start, an initiative to secure
the southwest border; after rising to the title of colonel in 2009,
he served as deputy commander of the Joint Interagency Task Force,
which was created to support law enforcement during Texas
disasters, and commanded the 136th Regional Training Institute; in
2012, he deployed to Afghanistan to oversee the Security Forces
Agency Task Force; and
WHEREAS, Colonel Woods was elevated to brigadier general with
the Texas State Guard, and in June 2022, he was appointed by
Governor Greg Abbott as the commanding general of TXSG; under his
direction, the force provided crucial support to state and federal
initiatives, and he exhibited a remarkable ability to lead
large-scale operations and efficiently allocate resources while
overseeing such crucial missions as responses to wildfires,
hurricanes, and public health emergencies; he was promoted to major
general during his tenure, and he announced his retirement in
August 2024, drawing to a close a decorated career; and
WHEREAS, The leadership, integrity, and commitment to
excellence demonstrated by Anthony Woods have greatly benefited his
fellow citizens, and he may indeed take pride in his indelible
legacy of service with the Army National Guard and the Texas State
Guard; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the 89th Texas Legislature
hereby commend Major General (Ret.) Anthony Woods for his exemplary
military career 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 Major General Woods as an expression of high regard by
the Texas Senate.