TITLE: Honoring the Galveston Company of the Houston Medical Response Group of the Texas State Guard on its activation as the Galveston Medical Response Group.

SUMMARY: Honoring the Galveston Company of the Houston Medical Response Group of the Texas State Guard on its activation as the Galveston Medical Response Group.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, In October 2010, the Galveston Company of the Houston Medical Response Group of the Texas State Guard was officially activated as the Galveston Medical Response Group, becoming the first and only company in the Texas State Guard to earn such a designation; the unit is commemorating that achievement with an activation ceremony on April 30, 2011, and this occasion provides a welcome opportunity to recognize the outstanding service it has rendered to the citizens of the Lone Star State; and WHEREAS, An all-volunteer military organization, the Galveston Company provides licensed public health support personnel and technical support expertise and serves as a medical response team for large-scale natural and man-made disasters; formed in 2005 under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Brian Zachariah, the unit has been led by Lieutenant Colonel Roger Vertrees since 2009, and as of September 2010 included 50 soldiers; and WHEREAS, The members of the company have been especially effective in responding to the hurricanes that have made landfall in Texas in the past five years; for its actions during Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the group was awarded the Texas Governor's Unit Citation for Meritorious Conduct in Performance of Outstanding Service as well as the State Guard Association of the United States Superior Unit Citation; in addition, its members' efforts during Katrina earned the company the Meritorious Unit Award; and WHEREAS, Since 2006, the Galveston Company has taken part in Operation Lone Star, an annual joint civilian and military humanitarian medical mission that takes place along the Texas-Mexico border; this worthwhile initiative allows the unit to conduct medical-innovative readiness training exercises while simultaneously providing free medical services to residents throughout the Rio Grande Valley; and WHEREAS, The exemplary work of the Galveston Company, often rendered in demanding and dangerous conditions, is in keeping with the proud tradition of service that has distinguished the Texas State Guard throughout its 70-year history, and the company's soldiers are richly deserving of the response group status that has been bestowed on their unit; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas Legislature hereby honor the Galveston Company of the Houston Medical Response Group of the Texas State Guard on its activation as the Galveston Medical Response Group and extend sincere gratitude to its members for their remarkable service and heroism; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for the unit as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Callegari Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 1645 was adopted by the House on May 12, 2011, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House