Bill Text: AZ HCR2039 | 2015 | Fifty-second Legislature 1st Regular | Introduced
Bill Title: Death resolution; Bill Badger
Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 26-8)
Status: (Passed) 2015-03-18 - Transmitted to Secretary Of State [HCR2039 Detail]
Download: Arizona-2015-HCR2039-Introduced.html
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REFERENCE TITLE: death resolution; Bill Badger |
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State of Arizona House of Representatives Fifty-second Legislature First Regular Session 2015
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HCR 2039 |
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Introduced by Representatives Friese, Gabaldón, McCune Davis, Meyer, Montenegro, Otondo, Rios, Steele, Stevens, Senators Bradley, Cajero Bedford, Contreras, Dalessandro, Farley, Hobbs: Representatives Ackerley, Alston, Andrade, Clark, Fernandez, Finchem, Gonzales, Gowan, Hale, Leach, Livingston, Mach, Mendez, Saldate, Velasquez, Wheeler, Senators Biggs, Pancrazi, Quezada
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A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
on the death of Colonel Bill Badger.
(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)
Colonel Bill Badger passed away on March 11, 2015 at the age of seventy-eight.
Originally from South Dakota, Colonel Badger joined the National Guard as a high school junior and went on to enjoy a long, distinguished career as a United States Army and Guard aviator for thirty-seven years. A true patriot who served his country with honor and dignity, he served as Chief of the National Guard Bureau's Aviation Division at the Pentagon. Among his many professional accomplishments, he established the only two United States‑based attack helicopter training sites: the Eastern Army Aviation Training Site in Pennsylvania and the Western Army Aviation Training Site in Marana, Arizona. Colonel Badger and his wife, Sallie, moved to Arizona in 1985 when Colonel Badger established the Marana site.
On the morning of January 8, 2011, Colonel Badger attended a Congress on your Corner event at a shopping center north of Tucson to meet then‑Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. That fateful morning a gunman opened fire on the innocent attendees, brutally murdering six and seriously wounding thirteen, including Colonel Badger and Congresswoman Giffords. As the gunman was reloading his weapon, Colonel Badger, who was injured and bleeding from the head, ran toward the gunman and put him into a chokehold until the authorities arrived, thus stopping the deadly rampage. But for the valiant actions of Colonel Badger, the toll of those killed and wounded would have been much higher. "I don't consider myself a hero," he would later say, "I did what anybody would do." Colonel Badger was a beloved friend to the January 8, 2011 survivors. After this devastating event, this humble hero focused his efforts on keeping guns out of the hands of people like the January 8, 2011 gunman so as to prevent future similar tragedies. Colonel Badger and his wife embarked on a three-year journey across the country to promote his mission.
Colonel Badger was a hero to many long before he became one in the eyes of our nation on January 8, 2011. He was a caring and devoted husband to his wife, Sallie, a nurturing and loving father to his son, Christian, the beloved Scoutmaster of Troop 007, a guide and counselor to numerous young people, many of whom attribute their current success to Colonel Badger's mentoring, and a friend to countless others, including the members of the Southern Arizona Jaguar Car Club, which he served as President for a time.
On March 11, 2015, the citizens of Arizona lost a friend who placed the safety and well-being of others above his own and who truly represented the best traits of humanity, heroism and sacrifice and the spirit of service to others. The citizens of Arizona owe Colonel Badger an extraordinary debt of gratitude for his tremendous service to our country and state.
Dedicated to his family, Colonel Badger will be greatly missed by his beloved wife, Sallie Badger, and his son, Christian Badger.
Therefore
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the State of Arizona, the Senate concurring:
That the Members of the Legislature express sincere regret at the passing of Colonel Bill Badger and extend their deepest sympathies to his family and many friends.
