TITLE: Recognizing Colin Kimball for his receipt of the Silver Patrick Henry Medallion.

SUMMARY: Recognizing Colin Kimball for his receipt of the Silver Patrick Henry Medallion.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, Colin Kimball of McKinney was presented with the Silver Patrick Henry Medallion by the Dallas chapter of the Military Order of the World Wars on January 26, 2015, in recognition of his patriotic achievement in behalf of veterans; and WHEREAS, Raised in an air force family, Mr. Kimball joined the United States Air Force himself in 1976; he served as a weather equipment repairman at various airfields and helipads near Washington, D.C., supporting the diplomatic flight operations of the executive branch; after his honorable discharge at the rank of sergeant, Mr. Kimball earned a bachelor's degree from Centenary College of Louisiana and a master's degree from the University of Louisiana at Monroe, both in geology; and WHEREAS, During his college years, Mr. Kimball also learned photography, which piqued his interest in the art of portraiture, and he has used this skill to honor our nation's veterans; in 2013, he and Marine Corps veteran Ronnie Foster of McKinney founded the Collin County Fallen Warrior Project, which places portraits of fallen warriors in the county courthouse; and WHEREAS, These handsome and inspiring portraits are created by Mr. Kimball himself; his work has also been displayed at military bases in Quantico, Virginia, and Vicenza, Italy, and at The University of Texas at Austin; he has published a volume of his portraits, Currency of Honor,and he is at work on another book honoring unsung heroes, The Voices of Duty;most of the proceeds from his art goes to organizations that benefit veterans; and WHEREAS, This esteemed Texan further gives of his time and energies as the historian of Bill Bryan Post 110 of the American Legion in McKinney and as an appointee to McKinney's Veterans Memorial Board; he is also a member of the Veterans Selection Committee for the Smiles Charity, which raises money to build homes for wounded veterans; and WHEREAS, In all his endeavors, Mr. Kimball enjoys the love and support of his wife, Susan, and his two children, daughter Catherine, a college student, and son Craig, a marine who is carrying on the family's proud tradition of military service; and WHEREAS, Americans owe a profound debt of gratitude to those servicemen and servicewomen who take up arms in our defense, and Colin Kimball's creative and heartfelt efforts to honor veterans and fallen warriors truly merit special commendation; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 84th Legislature, hereby congratulate Colin Kimball on his receipt of the Silver Patrick Henry Medallion from the Military Order of the World Wars and honor him for his dedication to commemorating our nation's military heroes; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be prepared for Mr. Kimball as an expression of high regard from the Texas Senate. Taylor of Collin, Estes President of the Senate I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on February 23, 2015.