TITLE: Congratulating Rowan Windham on his enlistment as an honorary member of the Texas Army National Guard.

SUMMARY: Congratulating Rowan Windham on his enlistment as an honorary member of the Texas Army National Guard.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, March 27, 2015, was indeed a momentous day in the life of eight-year-old Rowan Windham, for on that day he became an honorary member of the Texas Army National Guard at a special enlistment ceremony at Camp Mabry; and WHEREAS, Rowan has been diagnosed with a rare disorder known as Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome, which affects multiple organ systems; he has spent more than 900 days in the hospital, during which time he has endured dozens of blood transfusions and some 70 trips to the operating room; all the while, he has met the challenges of his illness with unfailing grace and courage, and he has inspired others with his ability to find joy in the simple things of life; and WHEREAS, A resident of New Braunfels, Rowan is supported by his loving parents, Carrie Windham and Brian Windham, who served in the United States Navy, and by his older brother, Ian; motivated by a sense of patriotism and a selfless desire to help others, Rowan has dreamed of one day following in his father's footsteps as a member of the military, and his dream was fulfilled during a surprise visit to Camp Mabry, headquarters of the Texas Army National Guard; and WHEREAS, The experience of a lifetime for Rowan began when he and his family arrived at the base and were greeted by service members at all levels of command; Rowan and his brother then rode in a World War II-era Jeep to a building where Rowan was given his own army-issued uniform and dog tags; standing before a crowd of 300 national guard members, state and local officials, and members of the media, Rowan was inducted into the national guard as an honorary lifetime soldier; and WHEREAS, During the emotional ceremony, the host for the occasion, Staff Sergeant Mireya Cruz, expressed how Rowan exemplified the army's core values, saying, "Despite mental and physical adversities that many adults could not manage, Rowan has consistently demonstrated trust in his faith, [a] humble spirit, and compassion for others, all of which he has placed before his own personal needs"; and WHEREAS, Brigadier General Sean Ryan, deputy commander of the Texas Army National Guard, then administered the honorary enlistment oath to Rowan and presented the guard's newest solider with the division's traditional Stetson hat and spurs; Ian was also singled out for recognition and was awarded a medal for his care and protection of his younger brother; and WHEREAS, This well-deserved tribute was initiated by Sergeant David Hixson, a combat medic in the national guard who had treated Rowan while working as a civilian nurse's aide; in addition, numerous other individuals at Camp Mabry helped to make possible the day's events, which included a special tour of the base for Rowan and Ian; and WHEREAS, At only eight years old, Rowan Windham has shown a deep commitment to his country and a maturity well beyond his years, and it is a great privilege to honor this remarkable young Texan in concert with the valiant service members who have welcomed him into their ranks; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas Legislature hereby congratulate Private First Class Rowan Windham on his enlistment as an honorary member of the Texas Army National Guard and extend to Rowan and his family sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for the Windham family as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Miller of Comal Straus Gonz lez Otto Allen Guerra Paddie Alonzo Guillen Parker Alvarado Gutierrez Paul Anchia Harless Pe a Anderson of Dallas Hernandez Phelan Anderson of McLennan Herrero Phillips Ashby Howard Pickett Aycock Huberty Price Bell Hughes Raney Bernal Hunter Raymond Blanco Isaac Reynolds Bohac Israel Riddle Bonnen of Brazoria Johnson Rinaldi Bonnen of Galveston Kacal Rodriguez of Bexar Burkett Keffer Rodriguez of Travis Burns Keough Romero, Jr. Burrows King of Hemphill Rose Button King of Parker Sanford Canales King of Taylor Schaefer Capriglione King of Uvalde Schofield Clardy Klick Schubert Coleman Koop Shaheen Collier Krause Sheets Cook Kuempel Sheffield Craddick Landgraf Simmons Crownover Larson Simpson Cyrier Laubenberg Smith Dale Leach Smithee Darby Longoria Spitzer Davis of Dallas Lozano Springer Davis of Harris Lucio III Stephenson Deshotel M rquez Stickland Dukes Martinez Thompson of Brazoria Dutton Martinez Fischer Thompson of Harris Elkins McClendon Tinderholt Faircloth Metcalf Turner of Collin Fallon Meyer Turner of Harris Farias Miles Turner of Tarrant Farney Miller of Comal VanDeaver Farrar Miller of Fort Bend Villalba Fletcher Minjarez Vo Flynn Moody Walle Frank Morrison White of Bell Frullo Mu oz, Jr. White of Tyler Galindo Murphy Workman Geren Murr Wray Giddings Naishtat Wu Goldman Nev rez Zedler Gonzales Oliveira Zerwas Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 1963 was adopted by the House on May 6, 2015, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House