TITLE: Recognizing Christopher D. Gonzalez on the occasion of his retirement.

SUMMARY: Recognizing Christopher D. Gonzalez on the occasion of his retirement.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, Chief machinery technician Christopher D. Gonzalez is retiring as engineering petty officer for Coast Guard Station South Padre Island in 2023, drawing to a close a distinguished career with the U.S. Coast Guard that has spanned more than two decades; and WHEREAS, A native of Brownsville, Christopher Gonzalez joined the U.S. Coast Guard in September 2001; after basic training, he was assigned to the facility engineering department at the Coast Guard Training Center in Cape May, New Jersey; he subsequently graduated from Machinery Technician School in 2002 and advanced to petty officer third class, transferring to Sector Houston-Galveston, where he was promoted to petty officer second class; he was next assigned to U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Knight Island in Florida; and WHEREAS, In 2009, Officer Gonzalez received a transfer to Coast Guard Station South Padre Island, and there, he advanced to petty officer first class; he received orders in 2012 to join the Boat Forces and Standardization Team in Yorktown, Virginia, and in 2016, he moved to the U.S. Coast Guard Recruiting Office in St. Louis, Missouri, advancing to chief machinery technician and becoming the recruiter in charge; and WHEREAS, Returning to South Padre Island in May 2020, Officer Gonzalez assumed the role of engineering petty officer; his duties include oversight of naval and civil engineering platforms; a graduate of the Chief Petty Officer Academy, he has received numerous awards over the course of his career, including three Coast Guard Achievement Medals, the Coast Guard Commendation Medal, and the Coast Guard Boat Force Operations Insignia; and WHEREAS, In all his endeavors, Officer Gonzalez enjoys the love and support of his wife, Amanda; they are the proud parents of four children, Nikki, Chris, Edward, and Bobby; and WHEREAS, The dedication, professionalism, and devotion to duty demonstrated by Officer Christopher Gonzalez have greatly benefited his fellow Americans and earned him the respect and admiration of his peers, and he may indeed reflect with pride on his exemplary record of military service; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 88th Legislature, 1st Called Session, hereby congratulate Officer Christopher D. Gonzalez on his retirement from the U.S. Coast Guard 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 Officer Gonzalez as an expression of high regard from the Texas Senate. LaMantia President of the Senate I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on June 7, 2023.