Bill Text: TX SR467 | 2017-2018 | 85th Legislature | Enrolled
Bill Title: In memory of William Dowling.
Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Republican 1)
Status: (Passed) 2017-03-20 - Reported enrolled [SR467 Detail]
Download: Texas-2017-SR467-Enrolled.html
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| In Memory | ||
| of | ||
| William Dowling | ||
| WHEREAS, A life marked by tremendous courage and resolve | ||
| came to an untimely end with the passing of William Dowling, a | ||
| former captain in the Houston Fire Department, on March 7, 2017, | ||
| at the age of 43; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on March 14, | ||
| 1973, Bill Dowling was the son of Mary and Rick Dowling; he moved | ||
| with his family to Texas in his youth and graduated from Klein Oak | ||
| High School in Spring in 1993; after joining the United States | ||
| Marine Corps, he advanced to the rank of corporal and served in a | ||
| number of locations, including Somalia, Bahrain, and Saudi | ||
| Arabia; his military awards included a Combat Action Ribbon, a | ||
| Good Conduct Medal, a Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal, a | ||
| National Defense Service Medal, a Southwest Asia Service Medal, | ||
| and a Sea Service Deployment Ribbon; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Imbued with a passion for public service, Bill | ||
| Dowling pursued a career as a firefighter after returning to | ||
| civilian life; he joined the Champions Fire Department and then, | ||
| in 2000, the Houston Fire Department, where he rose through the | ||
| ranks while working in some of the city's busiest stations; his | ||
| years on the job were made all the more fulfilling by the strong | ||
| bond of camaraderie that he shared with his brothers and sisters | ||
| in uniform; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Captain Dowling demonstrated the true depth of | ||
| his commitment to duty as one of the first responders who were | ||
| called to battle a massive five-alarm fire at the Southwest Inn | ||
| on May 31, 2013, the deadliest day in the history of the Houston | ||
| Fire Department; when the roof of the hotel collapsed, he lost | ||
| four of his comrades and sustained life-altering injuries, which | ||
| forced him to retire from the career he loved; and | ||
| WHEREAS, This inspiring Texan earned the nickname "Iron | ||
| Bill" during his long, valiant effort to recover in the four | ||
| years after he left the department; he drew comfort and | ||
| encouragement from the love of his wife of 23 years, Jacki, and | ||
| their treasured children, Forrest, Faith, and Foster; in the | ||
| course of his struggles, his faith became a guiding light, and he | ||
| took pride in having read every page of the Bible; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Captain Bill Dowling found his purpose in serving | ||
| a cause greater than himself, and when tragedy cast a shadow over | ||
| his future, his determination and bravery in fighting back | ||
| captured the hearts of countless people; he will be greatly | ||
| missed by his family, friends, and former colleagues, who will | ||
| never forget his sacrifice or the extraordinary strength of | ||
| character that defined his life; now, therefore, be it | ||
| RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 85th | ||
| Legislature, hereby pay tribute to the memory of William Dowling | ||
| and extend sincere condolences to all those who mourn his | ||
| passing; and, be it further | ||
| RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for | ||
| his family and that when the Texas Senate adjourns this day, it do | ||
| so in memory of William Dowling. | ||
| Bettencourt | ||
| ________________________________ | ||
| President of the Senate | ||
| I hereby certify that the | ||
| above Resolution was adopted by | ||
| the Senate on March 20, 2017, by a | ||
| rising vote. | ||
| ________________________________ | ||
| Secretary of the Senate | ||
| ________________________________ | ||
| Member, Texas Senate | ||
