[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 80 (Tuesday, May 25, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E939]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    IN MEMORY OF COLONEL JACK COLLEY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. PETE SESSIONS

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 25, 2010

  Mr. SESSIONS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Jack Colley who 
passed away on May 16, 2010. He was the head of the Texas Department of 
Public Safety (TXDPS), Division of Emergency Management.
  Prior to joining TXDPS, he served in the United States Army from 
1970-97 and retired as a Colonel. He was a valuable member of TXDPS and 
changed the field of Emergency Management. During his tenure, Colonel 
Colley was involved in the response and recovery of some of the largest 
incidents and disasters in Texas, such as the Space Shuttle Columbia 
crash in 2003, Hurricane Rita in 2005, and Hurricane Ike in 2008. 
Learning from the fallout of Hurricane Katrina, he began efforts to 
evacuate and shelter companion animals, emphasizing that no one would 
be left behind because they could not bring their pet.
  He sought to make disaster response quicker, faster, and smarter and 
utilized innovative methods to make the Division of Emergency 
Management more effective. Among his many initiatives, Colonel Colley 
pushed for an Interstate Emergency Response Support Plan (IERSP)--
partnering with Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, and Oklahoma, the 
first of its kind in the nation. Under his leadership, the Division of 
Emergency Management also focused on Re-Entry Task Forces that provided 
critical care and security and restored infrastructure within the first 
72 hours after a storm. He was a visionary, a great leader, and a 
dedicated public servant. The great State of Texas has suffered a great 
loss; Jack Colley will be missed by all.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my esteemed colleagues to join me in recognizing 
the legacy of Colonel Jack Colley. My thoughts and prayers are with his 
family and friends.

                          ____________________