TITLE: In memory of Robert Morin Shoemaker.

SUMMARY: In memory of Robert Morin Shoemaker.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas honors and commemorates the life of General Robert Morin Shoemaker, who died June 21, 2017, at the age of 93; and WHEREAS, Robert Shoemaker was born on February 18, 1924; he grew up on a farm in rural Michigan, and he graduated with a class of 23 students at Almont High School in 1941; he joined the United States Army upon his acceptance to West Point Military Academy, and he graduated in 1946; and WHEREAS, In 1965, General Shoemaker was deployed with the 1st Cavalry Division to Vietnam, where he commanded the 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry and the 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry; he was later promoted to brigadier general, and in May of 1970, he led Task Force Shoemaker on the initial United States incursion into Cambodia; he went on to become the commander of III Corps and Fort Hood, and in 1977, he was assigned to the position of deputy commander of United States Army Forces Command in Fort McPherson, Georgia; after a year of service he was promoted to commander, a four-star position that only a select few army officers achieve, and in this role, he supervised approximately one million active, reserve, and national guard soldiers; and WHEREAS, After his 1982 retirement from the military, General Shoemaker became an active community leader; he served for eight years as an elected county commissioner in Bell County, and he volunteered for numerous charitable causes and was a well-known supporter of United Way; he was honored with both the Frank W. Mayborn Humanitarian Award and the Roy J. Smith Award for community service, and in 2000, the Killeen Independent School District named the Robert M. Shoemaker High School in his honor; and WHEREAS, General Shoemaker shared nearly 70 years of marriage with his devoted wife, Mary "Tuke" Shoemaker; he was a highly respected member of his community who was admired for his strength, his courage, and his commitment to serving his fellow citizens; he will long be remembered with great admiration by all who were privileged to share in his life; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 85th Legislature, 1st Called Session, hereby extend sincere condolences to the bereaved family of General Robert Morin Shoemaker; and, be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for his family as an expression of deepest sympathy from the Texas Senate and that when the Senate adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Robert Shoemaker. Buckingham President of the Senate I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on August 11, 2017, by a rising vote.