H.R. No. 1510

	R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, Billy Parker 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 TEEX 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 A&M 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 TEEX 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 House of Representatives of the 84th Texas
	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 an official copy of this resolution be
	prepared for Mr. Parker as an expression of high regard by the Texas
	House of Representatives.
	Martinez
	______________________________
	Speaker of the House
	I certify that H.R. No. 1510 was adopted by the House on March
	25, 2015, by a non-record vote.
	______________________________
	Chief Clerk of the House