SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 431
	WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to recognize
	Billy Parker, who is retiring as director of the Texas A&M Engineering
	Extension Service's Texas Task Force 1 on March 31, 2015; and
	WHEREAS, Mr. Parker began his long and distinguished career
	in public service in 1976, when he became a firefighter for the
	Clyde Fire Department; he went on to join the Texas A&M Engineering
	Extension Service, a state agency that trains public safety workers
	and provides emergency responders during large-scale crises;
	there, he helped establish the new Regional Texas Task Force System
	and develop an expansive and comprehensive training facility
	called Disaster City; in addition, he acted as chief of the Texas
	A&M Engineering Extension Service Recruit Academy and oversaw the
	training of more than 1,500 fire cadets; and
	WHEREAS, Widely recognized as an expert in search and
	rescue, Mr. Parker also played a key role in the growth of the
	agency's Texas Task Force 1 from a small advisory board to one of
	the most called-upon rescue teams in the country; as a member of
	the task force, he was deployed during several prominent state
	and national disasters, including the Texas A&M University
	bonfire collapse, the World Trade Center attack, and Hurricanes
	Katrina, Rita, and Ike; he was named director of Texas Task Force
	1 in 2012; and
	WHEREAS, Mr. Parker received the Texas A&M Engineering
	Extension Service Distinguished Service Award in 2005 and the
	Regents Fellow Service Award from The Texas A&M University System
	Board of Regents the following year; and
	WHEREAS, An engaged member of his community, Mr. Parker
	has served as a volunteer firefighter, a paramedic, and a girls'
	softball coach; he has also been a valued congregant of Hillcrest
	Baptist Church for more than 22 years; and
	WHEREAS, Through his loyalty, integrity, and unwavering
	commitment to the safety and well-being of his fellow Texans,
	Billy Parker has set a standard of leadership and service to
	which others may aspire, and he may reflect with pride on a career
	well spent; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 84th
	Legislature, hereby congratulate Billy Parker on his retirement
	from the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service and extend to
	him sincere best wishes for continued success and happiness; and,
	be it further
	RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
	Mr. Parker as an expression of esteem from the Texas Senate.
	Schwertner
		________________________________
		President of the Senate
		I hereby certify that the
		above Resolution was adopted by
		the Senate on March 25, 2015.
		________________________________
		Secretary of the Senate
		________________________________
		Member, Texas Senate