HR84 - Congratulating Chief Michael Kester on his retirement from the Harlingen Police Department.

      H.R. No. 84       R E S O L U T I O N          WHEREAS, Michael Kester is retiring as chief of the Harlingen   Police Department on February 4, 2025, drawing to a close an   exemplary tenure with the agency that has spanned 35 years; and          WHEREAS, Chief Kester began his law enforcement career with   the Harlingen Police Department in 1990, and he was promoted to   sergeant in 1993, to lieutenant in 2001, and to captain in 2003;   after serving as interim chief for six months in 2011, he was named   deputy chief in 2012, and three years later, he was appointed   assistant chief/chief of staff; and          WHEREAS, Since 2019, he has served as chief of police,   overseeing the entire department, which includes 144 sworn officers   and 53 civilian personnel; over the course of his distinguished   career, Chief Kester has spent more than 23 years in executive   leadership roles, and he has worked in nearly every division of the   department, including patrol, training, records, support services,   criminal investigations, and the city jail; and          WHEREAS, An alumnus of Unity College in Maine, Chief Kester   went on to graduate from the Bill Blackwood Law Enforcement   Management Institute of Texas and the Leadership Command College at   Sam Houston State University, and in 2019 he completed the Texas   Certified Public Manager Program at The University of Texas Rio   Grande Valley; in all his endeavors, he has enjoyed the love and   support of his wife, Debora, and their 4 children and 11   grandchildren; and          WHEREAS, Chief Kester's dynamic leadership and commitment to   excellence have greatly benefited the citizens of Harlingen and   earned him the respect and admiration of his fellow officers, and he   may indeed reflect with pride on a career well spent as he embarks   on the next exciting chapter of his life; now, therefore, be it          RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas   Legislature hereby congratulate Chief Michael Kester on his   retirement from the Harlingen Police Department and extend to him   sincere appreciation for his many years of dedicated service; and,   be it further          RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be   prepared for Chief Kester as an expression of high regard by the   Texas House of Representatives.     Lopez of Cameron     ______________________________   Speaker of the House                 I certify that H.R. No. 84 was adopted by the House on March   6, 2025, by a non-record vote.     ______________________________   Chief Clerk of the House