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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, A life made rich through meaningful service drew to |
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a close with the passing of retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel |
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Paul Peter Mendes of The Woodlands on August 21, 2019, at the age of |
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75; and |
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WHEREAS, The son of Vincent Joseph Mendes and Kathleen |
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Kavookjian Mendes, Paul Mendes was born in New York City on May 9, |
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1944, and he grew up in Highlands, New Jersey, with the |
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companionship of his brothers, Haik, Thomas, and Vincent; he earned |
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a bachelor's degree in photoengraving with a minor in photography |
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from Sam Houston State University, where he joined the Reserve |
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Officers' Training Corps, and he later completed a master's degree |
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in public service administration; and |
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WHEREAS, Answering his nation's call to duty, Colonel Mendes |
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began his career in the U.S. Army as a commissioned officer, and he |
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served three tours in Vietnam with the 5th Special Forces Group |
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(Airborne) Green Berets; after the fall of Saigon, he volunteered |
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to join the Joint Casualty Resolution Center, and he later worked in |
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military intelligence and served in assignments around the globe; |
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he ultimately attained the rank of lieutenant colonel, and he |
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served as headquarters commandant at Fort Lewis before his |
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retirement in 1993; and |
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WHEREAS, Colonel Mendes received numerous military honors, |
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including four Bronze Stars with citations for valor, a Meritorious |
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Service Medal, an Air Medal, three Overseas Service Medals, four |
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Army Commendation Medals, the Humanitarian Service Medal, and two |
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National Defense Service Medals; and |
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WHEREAS, Returning to civilian life, Colonel Mendes worked in |
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city management, and he distinguished himself in his role as city |
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administrator of Magnolia; in all his endeavors, he enjoyed the |
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love and support of his wife, Charlotte, and he took great pride in |
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their two children, Laura and Paul; over the years, his treasured |
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family grew to include two granddaughters, Kaeley and Hannah; and |
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WHEREAS, Colonel Mendes's legacy of service is being |
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recognized through efforts to rename a portion of State Highway 249 |
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in Montgomery County as the Paul P. Mendes Memorial Parkway; and |
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WHEREAS, Deeply dedicated to his family, his country, and his |
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community, Paul Mendes will forever be a source of inspiration to |
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those he leaves behind; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas |
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Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Lieutenant Colonel |
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(Ret.) Paul Peter Mendes and extend sincere condolences to all who |
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mourn his passing; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of |
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Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Paul |
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Mendes. |
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Bell of Montgomery |
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______________________________ |
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Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.R. No. 2370 was adopted by the House on May |
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29, 2023, by a non-record vote. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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