Travis County Commissioners Court
August 4, 2009,
Item 4
Let's go to number 4, approve proclamation presented to mr.
moses gonzalez for his life saving efforts on July 5th, 2009.
if the fire marshal is next door --
>> good morning, judge.
>> morning.
>> herschel lee, Travis County fire marshal's office.
on July the 5th of this year there was a fire in a residential structure on imperial drive.
and mr.
moses gonzalez is a neighbor and saw that the fire had occurred, and took a life-saving action.
and on behalf of the fire marshal's office, the deputy fire marshal, kirk anthony, brought that to my attention and asked me to bring it to your attention and asked that you do this proclamation on behalf of mr.
moses gonzalez.
so I don't have the proclamation here.
okay.
i'm sorry.
also after the Travis County proclamation, here with me is chief don smith, fire chief from esd 4, also to my right is mr.
moses gonzalez, the recipient of the proclamation.
chief smith from esd 4 also has an award he would like to present to mr.
gonzalez after the Travis County award.
>> okay.
>> proclamation.
whereas at approximately 11:25 a.m.
on July 5th, 2009, moses gonzalez demonstrated an act of true selflessness and bravery.
and whereas mr.
gonzalez noticed a fire at a neighbor's house on north imperial drive and whereas he attempted to call 911, but before he could connect, he heard screams of my mother is inside, and whereas mr.
gonzalez, setting aside any concern for his own life, reached through the window of a room filled with hot gases and smoke and pulled mrs.
barbara malay from the burning house.
whereas mr.
gonzalez demonstrated great bravery, quick thinking and heroism through this rescue of ms.
malay.
while sustaining injury to himself.
and whereas this courageous action prevented what could have been a tragic loss to family, friends and community.
and was an act of heroism which deserves special recognition by the governing body of this county.
now therefore be it resolved that the Travis County Commissioners court wishes to commend moses gonzalez for his brave actions on July the 5th, 2009.
not only did he save the life of a local resident, but through his act of leadership, has proven him to be ton an inspiration to the members of this court.
and on behalf of all the citizens of Travis County, we thank you.
signed and dated the 4th day of August, 2009.
samuel t.
biscoe, county judge.
>> move approval.
>> second.
>> [ applause ]
>> actually, I think the proclamation is signed by all members of the court.
>> yes, it is.
>> I didn't want to hog the credit.
>> [ laughter ]
>> Commissioners, my name is don smith.
i'm fire chief of Travis County fire control esd number 4.
this fire occurred in our district, and I think what's important to note here is mr.
gonzalez acted immediately to save that life, and we have said for a long time that communities have to help each other, and we use the phrase a neighbor helping a neighbor.
and when the information came to us from the fire marshal's office of mr.
gonzalez's actions, the fire Commissioner said that we would like to do a special recognition also.
i would like to read that special recognition.
naming moses gonzalez.
at approximately 11:25 mr.
moses gonzalez demonstrated an heroic act of a neighbor helping a neighbor and whereas mr.
gonzalez setting aside concerns for his own safety rushed to the aid of his neighbor, mrs.
barbara millette and pulled her from the burning house.
and whereas his heroic act saved the life of a neighbor and deserved recognition by the fire Commissioners of Travis County emergency services district number 4, therefore be it resolved that Travis County emergency service district number 4, fire mission Commissioners recognize mr.
moses gonzalez for his heroic actions on July 5th, 2009 through unselfish actions of a neighbor helping a neighbor and on behalf of all citizens of Travis County we thank you.
passed and approved this 29th day of July, 2009, signed by all of the Commissioners with the esd number 4.
>> move approval.
>> second.
>> [ applause ]
>> mr.
gonzalez?
>> mr.
gonzalez, if you don't mind, would you have a few words?
i would like to come down and shake your hand.
>> we know you're a man of action, but you may have a word or two.
>> I was glad I was there to help her, that's all I can say.
>> thank you very much.
>> thank you.
>> if my life is ever in danger, I hope you're somewhere nearby.
>> this will be worth a whole lot of money some day.
>> [ laughter ]
The Closed Caption log for this Commissioners Court agenda item is provided by Travis County Internet Services. Since this file is derived from the Closed Captions created during live cablecasts, there are occasional spelling and grammatical errors. This Closed Caption log is not an official record the Commissioners Court Meeting and cannot be relied on for official purposes. For official records please contact the County Clerk at (512) 854-4722.
Last Modified:
Friday, August 7, 2009 3:05 PM
