July 22, 2020 - Issue: Vol. 166, No. 129 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 2nd Session

[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E661]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





             IN HONOR OF THE LIFE OF CHIEF SHAWN BABENDURE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEVIN BRADY

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 22, 2020

  Mr. BRADY. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor the life and service of 
Shawn Babendure, a husband, father, coach, U.S. Army veteran and 
District Chief of the Spring, Texas Fire Department who tragically 
passed away this week much too young and far too early.
  A native Texan, born and raised in Houston, Shawri leaves a legacy of 
a lifetime of service to his community and his country which began when 
Shawn joined the Champions Fire Department in 1990 while attending 
Cypress Creek High School.
  His service continued when he enlisted in the United States Army in 
1993. He served honorably and well for nearly four years as a 
Communications Repair Specialist with the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment 
at Fort Irwin, California, the Army's National Training Center. He 
distinguished himself as an expert marksman and earned his paratrooper 
wings. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Good 
Conduct Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, and the Army Commendation 
Medal for his service.
  Shortly after his military service, Shawn earned his Bachelor of 
Science degree from the University of Houston. Shawn worked in the 
financial services industry where he served as Vice President of Wealth 
Management for a global wealth management firm, a position he still 
held at the time of his death.
  In 2007, Shawn chose to serve his community once again and returned 
to public service as a fireman at the Spring Fire Department. Shawn's 
work ethic and professionalism were evidenced by his promotion to 
positions of increasing responsibility at the Spring Fire Department 
where he impressively earned more than ten professional certificates 
for every facet of fire, rescue and emergency service and rose in rank 
from fireman to District Chief.
  Shawn's love for his community and his contagious laughter were 
hallmarks of his personality and his service and he passed on his care 
and compassion for others by training and mentoring the next generation 
of firefighters.
  I join the entire Spring community in honoring Chief Babendure's 
lifetime of service and join his wife, Jessica, and their children, 
Sophia and Harrison, in mourning their loss. Chief Babendure will be 
deeply mourned and greatly missed.

                          ____________________