TITLE: Commending James Moya of the Shamrock Volunteer Fire Department for his courage and sacrifice during the catastrophic Texas Panhandle wildfires of 2017.

SUMMARY: Commending James Moya of the Shamrock Volunteer Fire Department for his courage and sacrifice during the catastrophic Texas Panhandle wildfires of 2017.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, James Moya, a member of the Shamrock Volunteer Fire Department, was part of a coalition of first responders who risked their lives to battle the deadly wildfires that swept across the Texas Panhandle in March 2017; and WHEREAS, An employee of Wheeler County Precinct 3, James Moya has served as a volunteer firefighter with Shamrock VFD for more than 10 years; on March 23, 2017, he and a number of other area firefighters and county employees, including his father, Frank Moya, were called to help contain a wildfire that had broken out near Shamrock; while using a road grader to create a firebreak, he was trapped inside his machine when it stalled and the wind suddenly shifted, sending the flames in his direction; the fire soon engulfed the grader, where the heat became so intense that the windows shattered; and WHEREAS, Fighting for his life, James Moya managed to radio for help; his message was heard by his father, who was driving a road grader of his own and who immediately went to help; the elder Mr. Moya was able to move his son to safety, and James was ultimately transported by helicopter to a medical center in Lubbock; he suffered burns to more than 30 percent of his body and spent 60 days in the burn unit before returning to Shamrock, where he was welcomed home by a grateful community; and WHEREAS, Although Mr. Moya is still recovering from his injuries, he draws strength from the support of a loving family that includes his father, his mother, Melanie Moya, his sister, Shonda, his wife, Alisha, and his three young sons; and WHEREAS, James Moya's exceptional valor and commitment to serving others have made him a source of immense pride to his family and a hero to his community, and he has earned the respect and admiration of all his fellow Texans; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas Legislature, 1st Called Session, hereby honor James Moya for his courage and sacrifice during the Texas Panhandle wildfire crisis of 2017 and extend to him sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for Mr. Moya as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Springer Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 147 was adopted by the House on August 15, 2017, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House