[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 8 (Monday, January 12, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E26-E27]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          HONORING BRENDA GORMLEY'S LIFETIME OF PUBLIC SERVICE

                                  _____
                                 

                           HON. BRANDON GILL

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, January 12, 2026

  Mr. GILL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the late 
Brenda Gormley and to honor her 24 years of distinguished public 
service to Denton County, Texas. Her commitment to emergency 
preparedness and volunteer training strengthened Denton County and 
North Texas, leaving a lasting legacy.
  Brenda's involvement in emergency preparedness began in 2005 when she 
was introduced to the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) during a 
visit to the Highland Village Fire Department. What started as a simple 
inquiry quickly turned into a lifelong passion. She served as a CERT 
manager and instructor, earning recognition as a Texas CERT Master 
Instructor.
  After Hurricane Katrina, Brenda served as a shelter manager and 
helped establish the Denton County CERT program at the request of 
Assistant Chief Roland Asebedo. Starting with fewer than a dozen 
volunteers, she grew the program into one of the most respected in 
Texas, expanding it to more than 500 background-checked, active members 
who received free, hands-on training open to all Denton County 
residents.
  Under Brenda's dedicated leadership, Denton County's Citizen Corps 
Council received the National Award for Outstanding Citizen Corps 
Council in 2009. She served as Secretary of the Denton County VOAD 
Citizen Corps Council and as Past Chair of the North Central Texas 
Regional Citizen Corps Council, helping implement, expand, and sustain 
Citizen Corps programs regionally and statewide. Brenda's significant 
contributions to community preparedness and public service were 
recognized by Governor Greg Abbott at the state level and President 
Barack Obama nationally.
  Brenda also helped develop the G517 CERT Master Instructor curriculum 
and the G417 CERT refresher curriculum for Texas. In 2011, she was 
honored as the first recipient of the Jack Colley Citizen Corps 
Leadership Award for her exceptional leadership and service. She 
further enhanced Denton County CERT by creating specialized response 
teams, often called upon to assist first responders.
  Mr. Speaker, Brenda Gormley embodied the true spirit of public 
service and neighbors helping neighbors. I request my colleagues to 
join me in honoring her extraordinary dedication and contributions to 
the safety and security of her neighbors in Denton County and across 
Texas. Our sincere condolences go to her family, friends, and 
colleagues.

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