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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Families, communities, and advocates around the |
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country are observing February 3, 2023, as National Missing Persons |
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Day; and |
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WHEREAS, Each year, thousands of adults and children in the |
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United States disappear without a trace, and National Missing |
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Persons Day was established on May 25, 1983, to call attention to |
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these cases in hopes that they may be solved and that more missing |
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persons may be reunited with their loved ones; and |
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WHEREAS, Every person who goes missing, no matter the cause, |
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leaves behind family and friends who suffer from the trauma of their |
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loss and the uncertainty of whether or not they are alive and safe; |
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the psychological and emotional impact of this uncertainty can be |
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long lasting as loved ones wait for months, years, or even decades |
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to learn of a missing person's whereabouts; and |
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WHEREAS, Although countless cases remain unresolved, |
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technology has become a powerful tool to assist law enforcement, |
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medical and forensic professionals, and family members in locating |
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and identifying missing persons; one of the most significant |
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resources available today is the National Missing and Unidentified |
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Persons System, or NamUs, which provides an online database with |
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profiles on missing persons and unidentified remains, along with |
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additional forensic services and investigative support that can |
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help make a difference in cases that might otherwise go cold; and |
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WHEREAS, National Missing Persons Day serves as a reminder |
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that missing persons are not forgotten and that their loved ones are |
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not alone in their search for answers, and it presents a fitting |
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opportunity to affirm our commitment to bringing justice to victims |
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and closure to the families of Texans who have gone missing; now, |
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therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas |
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Legislature hereby recognize February 3, 2023, as National Missing |
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Persons Day and express support for efforts to investigate and |
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resolve missing person cases in Texas. |