TITLE: Honoring Dr. Ray Eric Santos for his contributions to the U.S. Navy and Navy Reserve and to his community.

SUMMARY: Honoring Dr. Ray Eric Santos for his contributions to the U.S. Navy and Navy Reserve and to his community.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, Dr. Ray Eric Santos of Clear Lake has served our nation with great distinction as a member of the United States Navy and Navy Reserve, and he contributes significantly to his community as a medical practitioner; and WHEREAS, A board-certified orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Santos graduated from the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine in 1986 and completed an orthopedic residency program at The University of Texas Medical Branch Hospitals in 1991; he went on to participate in a one-year fellowship in spine surgery in San Antonio and joined the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, on active duty as chief of spine surgery; and WHEREAS, Dr. Santos transferred to the navy reserve in 1995 and became an assistant professor of orthopedic surgery at The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston; for three years, he served with the 4th Air Naval Gunfire and Liaison Company of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve in West Palm Beach, Florida, and he completed airborne training and graduated with distinction from the navy's diving medical officer course; and WHEREAS, In 1998, Dr. Santos established a private practice in Clear Lake, but he continued to play a vital role in the reserve; he was the undersea medical officer for NR Naval Special Warfare Unit Two, based in Colts Neck, New Jersey, and subsequently the battalion surgeon for the 4th Reconnaissance Battalion of the marine corps in San Antonio; and WHEREAS, Operation Iraqi Freedom occasioned a recall to active duty in February 2003, and Dr. Santos deployed to Iraq as battalion surgeon for the 2nd Battalion, 23rd Marines, which participated in combat operations as part of the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force; he resumed his practice the following September and continued to serve in the navy reserve as the battalion surgeon for the 4th Reconnaissance Battalion and for the 4th Amphibious Assault Battalion of the marine corps in Tampa; and WHEREAS, In October 2010, while assigned to the 1st Battalion, 23rd Marines, as the battalion surgeon and officer in charge of the naval detachment, Dr. Santos was again recalled to active duty; he deployed for seven months to Helmand Province in Afghanistan, where his battalion was involved in combat operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom under Regional Command Southwest, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force; Dr. Santos coordinated the medical care for more than 800 marines and sailors and was involved in supporting medical care throughout the Task Force Belleau Wood area of operations; and WHEREAS, During his tour of duty in Afghanistan, this courageous Texan participated in more than 20 classified missions in remote locations; once, when a Marine in his convoy was critically injured by an improvised explosive device, Dr. Santos left his own vehicle and bravely crossed over 50 meters of terrain not yet cleared of secondary IEDs in order to perform lifesaving field surgery; he further advanced American goals by helping to improve relations with local Afghans, who were grateful for the skilled treatment he provided to the ailing granddaughter of an influential village elder; and WHEREAS, For his meritorious achievements in Afghanistan, Dr. Santos was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal; his numerous decorations also include the Navy Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation, three Navy Meritorious Unit Commendations, and two National Defense Service Medals; and WHEREAS, Dr. Ray Santos has set an inspiring example for others through his selfless devotion to his country and to the highest ideals of the medical profession, and it is indeed fitting that he be recognized at this time; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas Legislature hereby honor Dr. Ray Eric Santos for his exceptional service to the United States Navy and Navy Reserve and commend him for his professional contributions to his community; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for Dr. Santos as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Bonnen of Galveston Straus M. Gonzalez of El Paso Oliveira Allen N. Gonzalez of El Paso Orr Alonzo Gooden Otto Alvarado Guerra Paddie Anchia Guillen Parker Anderson Gutierrez Patrick Ashby Harless Perez Aycock Harper-Brown Perry Bell Hernandez Luna Phillips Bohac Herrero Pickett Bonnen of Brazoria Hilderbran Pitts Bonnen of Galveston Howard Price Branch Huberty Raney Burkett Hughes Ratliff Burnam Hunter Raymond Button Isaac Reynolds Callegari Johnson Riddle Canales Kacal Ritter Capriglione Keffer Rodriguez of Bexar Carter King of Hemphill Rodriguez of Travis Clardy King of Parker Rose Coleman King of Taylor Sanford Collier King of Zavala Schaefer Cook Kleinschmidt Sheets Cortez Klick Sheffield of Bell Craddick Kolkhorst Sheffield of Coryell Creighton Krause Simmons Crownover Kuempel Simpson Dale Larson Smith Darby Laubenberg Smithee Davis of Dallas Lavender Springer J. Davis of Harris Leach Stephenson S. Davis of Harris Lewis Stickland Deshotel Longoria Strama Dukes Lozano Taylor Dutton Lucio III Thompson of Brazoria Eiland Marquez Thompson of Harris Elkins Martinez Toth Fallon Martinez Fischer Turner of Collin Farias McClendon Turner of Harris Farney Menendez Turner of Tarrant Farrar Miles Villalba Fletcher Miller of Comal Villarreal Flynn Miller of Fort Bend Vo Frank Moody Walle Frullo Morrison White Geren Munoz, Jr. Workman Giddings Murphy Wu Goldman Naishtat Zedler Gonzales Nevarez Zerwas Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 937 was adopted by the House on March 27, 2013, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House