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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, People from across the state of Texas and the nation |
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were outraged and deeply saddened by the horrific events that took |
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place in El Paso on August 3, 2019, when a gunman went on a racially |
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motivated shooting rampage that claimed the lives of 23 men, women, |
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and children; and |
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WHEREAS, The gunman, who had published an online essay |
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detailing his white supremacist and anti-immigrant views, traveled |
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10 hours from his North Texas residence with the expressed intent of |
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targeting people of Mexican descent; armed with an assault rifle, |
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he carried out his attack at the Walmart near El Paso's Cielo Vista |
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Mall on a crowded day when more than one thousand shoppers and one |
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hundred employees were inside the store; and |
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WHEREAS, Valiantly risking their own lives, a number of |
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individuals attempted to usher shoppers and employees to safety and |
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protect others in the line of fire; six minutes after receiving the |
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first report of the attack, police arrived and apprehended the |
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gunman, bringing the incident to an end with a final toll of 23 dead |
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and 23 wounded; and |
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WHEREAS, The victims killed that day ranged in age from 15 to |
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90 years old, and many more, including children as young as two |
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years old, suffered traumatic injuries; the Walmart store was a |
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popular shopping destination for both El Pasoans and for Mexicans |
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taking day trips across the border, and a number of Mexican |
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nationals were among those who lost their lives; and |
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WHEREAS, In the aftermath of that tragic day, El Pasoans |
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demonstrated that the spirit of their community was far too |
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resilient to be broken by one disgraceful act of hate; alongside |
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stories of heroism during the massacre were reports of everyday |
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people lining up at hospitals to donate blood, offering profound |
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compassion, support, and comfort to the surviving families, and |
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rallying behind the mantra "El Paso Strong"; in what was perhaps one |
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of the most moving moments in the weeks that followed, a grieving |
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husband invited the public to attend his wife's memorial service, |
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resulting in more than 3,000 fellow residents turning out to pay |
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their respects; and |
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WHEREAS, The incident, which was the deadliest mass shooting |
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targeting Latinos in Texas history, was a devastating shock to a |
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city that is so renowned for its welcoming hospitality and |
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close-knit sense of community; more than a year has passed since |
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that terrible event made headlines all across the world, but the |
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passage of time has not diminished the tremendous sense of grief |
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felt over the loss of 23 innocent lives, nor has it lessened the |
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resolve of the people of El Paso to stand together against the |
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insidious forces of hatred, prejudice, and violence; now, |
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therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas |
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Legislature hereby pay tribute to the victims of the mass shooting |
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that took place in El Paso on August 3, 2019, and offer heartfelt |
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condolences to the families and friends who carry on their |
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memories. |
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Moody |
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Fierro |
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Ordaz Perez |
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______________________________ |
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Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.R. No. 585 was unanimously adopted by a |
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rising vote of the House on April 16, 2021. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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