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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, During the month of March 2017, the Texas Panhandle |
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suffered multiple, massive wildfires, and Henry Wiebe of the |
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Wellington Volunteer Fire Department was part of a coalition of |
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first responders who fought heroically and tenaciously to save the |
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lives and property of Texans in the region; and |
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WHEREAS, Fueled by dry vegetation, high winds, and |
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unseasonably hot weather, the fast-moving wildfires broke out on |
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March 6 and raged for days, destroying around 500,000 acres of Texas |
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prairie land and resulting in the death of four people; the fires |
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were some of the largest in state history and led to Governor Greg |
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Abbott's declaring a state of emergency in six counties; and |
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WHEREAS, The combined efforts of fire personnel from around |
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and beyond the region, including members of local volunteer fire |
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departments, were needed to contain the blazes; working exhausting |
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hours in perilous conditions, these dedicated individuals risked |
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their lives to halt the fires' rampage and rescue residents, and |
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their contributions were vital to averting further tragedy and |
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destruction; and |
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WHEREAS, In answering the call of duty during this |
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catastrophic crisis, Henry Wiebe demonstrated an extraordinary |
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commitment to protecting the safety of his fellow citizens, and he |
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has earned the enduring gratitude and admiration of Texans across |
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the state; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas |
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Legislature hereby commend Henry Wiebe of the Wellington Volunteer |
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Fire Department for his bravery, skill, and dedication in fighting |
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the Texas Panhandle wildfires of March 2017 and extend to him |
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sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for Mr. Wiebe as an expression of high regard by the Texas |
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House of Representatives. |