WEBVTT

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- My fellow Texans, I am
Major General Tracy Norris,

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the adjutant general of
the great state of Texas.

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This past Sunday, Governor Abbott directed

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the Texas National Guard to
join the COVID-19 response.

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The first two missions
we have been assigned

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involved assisting with drive
through testing locations

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and expanding hospital bed capacity.

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Clearly, we bring to the table

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strong logistics capabilities,
medical expertise,

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communication support,
infrastructure maintenance,

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and transportation assets.

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We will be prepared to
utilize these resources

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to answer all additional
requests for assistance

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as they are directed to us.

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We stand ready to mobilize

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our guardsmen and women across the state,

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each of whom is ready and dedicated

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to helping our fellow Texans.

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The response to this virus
will be a team effort,

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and over the years, your
Texas National Guard

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has forged strong partnerships with

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local, state, and federal authorities.

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Just as we did during
previous large scale events

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such as the Bastrop fires

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and the devastation of Hurricane Harvey,

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we will work together
with our partner agencies

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to face whatever challenges

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present themselves in the coming weeks.

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Our soldiers and airmen
will utilize the techniques

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they have learned from medical
experts and first responders

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to safely assist those in need

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while maintaining their own health.

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Each unit has trained medical staff

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that will be assessing individual
guardsmen as they report,

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and should any service member
display symptoms of illness,

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they will be removed from the mission

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and sent home to recover.

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This precaution will make sure

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our soldiers and airmen stay healthy

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and keep COVID-19 from spreading.

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As our county, state-wide,
enter into stringent measures,

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you will still see your

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Texas National Guard in the community.

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These soldiers and airmen are

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designated as essential personnel

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and will continue operations

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to support our local communities.

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We are the nation's largest
National Guard force

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and are committed to supporting
the COVID-19 response

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while continuing our missions on the

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southwest Texas border as well
as our overseas operations.

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This will be no easy task,

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but we have faced difficult times before.

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With the commitment of our

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soldiers, airmen, our state
partners, and great citizens,

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we are Texas strong and Texas proud,

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and together, we will
overcome this challenge.

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Duty, honor, Texas.