SR52 - Recognizing Anthony Woods for his service to his country and the State of Texas.

          SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 52          WHEREAS, Major General (Ret.) Anthony Woods, former   commanding general of the Texas State Guard, rendered   exceptional service to his country and his state over the course   of a distinguished military career that spanned four decades; and          WHEREAS, Anthony Woods received an early commission as a   second lieutenant in the U.S. Army in 1984; he attained the ranks   of first lieutenant, captain, and major with the Army National   Guard, and he served as executive officer for the 1st Battalion,   112th Armor Regiment, during Operation Noble Eagle, the first   deployment of troops to protect critical infrastructure   following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001; he went on   to become a lieutenant colonel and the first African American   commander of the unit in 2005, providing vital leadership during   the initial American training exercise in Romania after the fall   of the Soviet Union; and          WHEREAS, The next year, Lieutenant Colonel Woods acted as   deputy commander for Operation Jump Start, an initiative to   secure the southwest border; after rising to the title of colonel   in 2009, he served as deputy commander of the Joint Interagency   Task Force, which was created to support law enforcement during   Texas disasters, and commanded the 136th Regional Training   Institute; in 2012, he deployed to Afghanistan to oversee the   Security Forces Agency Task Force; and          WHEREAS, Colonel Woods was elevated to brigadier general   with the Texas State Guard, and in June 2022, he was appointed by   Governor Greg Abbott as the commanding general of TXSG; under his   direction, the force provided crucial support to state and federal   initiatives, and he exhibited a remarkable ability to lead   large-scale operations and efficiently allocate resources while   overseeing such crucial missions as responses to wildfires,   hurricanes, and public health emergencies; he was promoted to major   general during his tenure, and he announced his retirement in   August 2024, drawing to a close a decorated career; and          WHEREAS, The leadership, integrity, and commitment to   excellence demonstrated by Anthony Woods have greatly benefited   his fellow citizens, and he may indeed take pride in his   indelible legacy of service with the Army National Guard and the   Texas State Guard; now, therefore, be it          RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 89th   Legislature, hereby commend Major General (Ret.) Anthony Woods   for his exemplary military career and extend to him sincere best   wishes for the future; and, be it further          RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be   prepared for Major General Woods as an expression of high regard   from the Texas Senate.     King                 ________________________________          President of the Senate               I hereby certify that the     above Resolution was adopted by     the Senate on February 12, 2025.                 ________________________________          Secretary of the Senate                 ________________________________           Member, Texas Senate