TITLE: Recognizing Brad Thompson on the occasion of his retirement.

SUMMARY: Recognizing Brad Thompson on the occasion of his retirement.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to recognize Lieutenant Brad Thompson, who retired from the Gainesville Fire Department on March 31, 2020, after 32 years of service; and WHEREAS, Brad Thompson first joined the department as a volunteer in 1988, and he was named Volunteer Firefighter of the Year two years later; he was officially hired by the department in March of 1991, and he completed his professional training at the Denison Fire Academy; during his outstanding career, he specialized in teaching vehicular extrication classes to members of Gainesville Fire-Rescue and various other Cooke County volunteer departments; he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant in 2004, and he was honored with three Medals of Distinction and was named a City of Gainesville Employee of the Month; and WHEREAS, A dedicated public servant, he further contributed to his community by initiating and administering a number of beneficial programs; in 1997, he initiated a holiday food drive involving local schools that became an annual event, and the drive's volunteers have collected more than 120,000 pounds of food over the past 22 years; in 2000, he led the implementation of a fire-prevention clown program called "The Flame Outs," and he has regularly served as a coordinator of "Shattered Dreams," a drunk-driving awareness program at Gainesville High School; and WHEREAS, Lieutenant Thompson has been an active member of the Gainesville Firefighters Association, which he intermittently led as president for nearly a decade; he has also volunteered his time with Beat the Heat, Incorporated, an organization formed by first responders in 1992 to combat street racing and driving while intoxicated; and WHEREAS, Lieutenant Brad Thompson exemplified the highest ideals of his profession and contributed immeasurably to the safety and well-being of his community, and his exceptional efforts have earned him the lasting respect and admiration of his fellow firefighters; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 87th Legislature, hereby commend Lieutenant Brad Thompson on his distinguished career with Gainesville Fire-Rescue and extend to him sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for him as an expression of esteem from the Texas Senate. Springer President of the Senate I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on April 14, 2021.