1-1 By: Danburg (Senate Sponsor - Zaffirini) H.C.R. No. 24
1-2 (In the Senate - Received from the House February 24, 1993;
1-3 February 25, 1993, read first time and referred to Committee on
1-4 Education; April 22, 1993, reported favorably by the following
1-5 vote: Yeas 6, Nays 1; April 22, 1993, sent to printer.)
1-6 COMMITTEE VOTE
1-7 Yea Nay PNV Absent
1-8 Ratliff x
1-9 Haley x
1-10 Barrientos x
1-11 Bivins x
1-12 Harris of Tarrant x
1-13 Luna x
1-14 Montford x
1-15 Shapiro x
1-16 Sibley x
1-17 Turner x
1-18 Zaffirini x
1-19 HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
1-20 WHEREAS, The loss of a child as the result of a firearms
1-21 accident is a tragic event made even more so because it is often
1-22 preventable; and
1-23 WHEREAS, Currently, our nation has approximately 60 million
1-24 gun owners and an estimated 200 million firearms in private
1-25 ownership that are potential accidents waiting to happen in the
1-26 hands of an unsuspecting child; and
1-27 WHEREAS, In addition, many children play with toy guns that
1-28 closely resemble real weapons and watch television programs and
1-29 movies that routinely portray the irresponsible and unsafe handling
1-30 of guns--factors that tend to blur the distinction between
1-31 make-believe and reality and encourage unsafe behavior; and
1-32 WHEREAS, Fortunately, the National Rifle Association (NRA),
1-33 education professionals, urban housing safety officials, clinical
1-34 psychologists, and firearms safety experts working together have
1-35 developed a gun safety program designed for children in
1-36 pre-kindergarten through sixth grade; and
1-37 WHEREAS, The Eddie Eagle Gun Safety Program teaches the
1-38 fundamentals of firearms safety to children in an effective and
1-39 enjoyable way, emphasizing the correct safety procedure through
1-40 numerous activities and materials that include workbooks, games, a
1-41 video, class discussion, and role-playing scenarios; and
1-42 WHEREAS, Participating children receive certificates of merit
1-43 and stickers and posters of Eddie Eagle, the program's lovable
1-44 feathered mascot, in addition to invaluable safety training that
1-45 could save a life; and
1-46 WHEREAS, Available free or at nominal cost, this worthwhile
1-47 program is gaining popularity in many of our state's school
1-48 districts and police departments; by the first half of 1992, 131
1-49 school districts, including the Dallas Independent School District,
1-50 and 11 police departments in our state had used the Eddie Eagle
1-51 program; and
1-52 WHEREAS, Teaching children to act safely around firearms is a
1-53 critical step in the effort to reduce the number of firearms
1-54 accidents among children; now, therefore, be it
1-55 RESOLVED, That the 73rd Legislature of the State of Texas
1-56 hereby encourage the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to promote the
1-57 use of the NRA's Eddie Eagle Gun Safety Program in our schools to
1-58 help prevent firearms accidents among children; and, be it further
1-59 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
1-60 prepared for the TEA as a formal expression of the sentiment of the
1-61 Texas Legislature.
1-62 * * * * *
1-63 Austin,
1-64 Texas
1-65 April 22, 1993
1-66 Hon. Bob Bullock
1-67 President of the Senate
1-68 Sir:
2-1 We, your Committee on Education to which was referred H.C.R.
2-2 No. 24, have had the same under consideration, and I am instructed
2-3 to report it back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do
2-4 pass and be printed.
2-5 Ratliff,
2-6 Chairman
2-7 * * * * *
2-8 WITNESSES
2-9 No witnesses appeared on H.C.R. No. 24.