H.C.R. No. 118
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
1-1 WHEREAS, Words cannot adequately convey the deep shock felt
1-2 by citizens throughout Texas, and indeed the nation, at the tragic
1-3 loss of life that has resulted from the crisis occurring at the
1-4 Branch Davidian complex at Mt. Carmel near Waco; and
1-5 WHEREAS, In addition to those who lost their lives in the
1-6 line of duty, others have been victimized by this devastating
1-7 episode, namely, the innocent children who witnessed violence in
1-8 the early days of the crisis and have since been separated from
1-9 their loved ones and are faced with an uncertain future; and
1-10 WHEREAS, In the midst of this catastrophic situation, the
1-11 dedicated staff of the Texas Department of Protective and
1-12 Regulatory Services has come to the aid of these children, helping
1-13 to ease their fears by offering them much-needed comfort and
1-14 guidance as they face the challenges that lie ahead; and
1-15 WHEREAS, The department's child protective services staff was
1-16 at the command post at Mt. Carmel within 40 minutes of the time it
1-17 received the call to respond; during the first week of operation,
1-18 this remarkable group of individuals manned the post around the
1-19 clock, receiving children following their release, interviewing
1-20 them, and transporting them to a shelter site set up by an outside
1-21 agency licensed through the department's licensing division; and
1-22 WHEREAS, Beneficial assistance has been provided as well by
1-23 adult protective services division staff, who have been on hand to
1-24 investigate possible abuse, neglect, or exploitation of elderly
2-1 adults who are released from the compound and of those living
2-2 outside of the compound who are related to cult members; and
2-3 WHEREAS, One individual, Joyce Sparks, is particularly
2-4 deserving of commendation for the pivotal role she has played
2-5 throughout this difficult ordeal; a child protective services
2-6 investigations supervisor in Waco, Ms. Sparks has served as the
2-7 on-site coordinator for services, in which capacity she has
2-8 performed her duties with the utmost integrity and distinction,
2-9 always keeping foremost in her mind the welfare of the children
2-10 involved; and
2-11 WHEREAS, When the standoff began, Ms. Sparks risked her life
2-12 to personally receive children as they were being released from the
2-13 compound and served in an advisory capacity to the intelligence and
2-14 negotiation units of federal law enforcement officers at the scene;
2-15 and
2-16 WHEREAS, She later spent hours talking to and comforting the
2-17 children, in addition to supervising child protective services
2-18 staff, dealing with telephone calls from around the world from
2-19 relatives seeking information on the children's status, preparing
2-20 requisite legal documents, and testifying in court hearings; and
2-21 WHEREAS, Ms. Sparks and all who have contributed their time
2-22 and talents to ease the burden on the innocent victims of the
2-23 standoff at Mt. Carmel truly merit our highest praise and
2-24 recognition for their tremendous contributions in this regard; now,
2-25 therefore, be it
2-26 RESOLVED, That the 73rd Legislature of the State of Texas
2-27 hereby commend Joyce Sparks and other staff of the Texas Department
3-1 of Protective and Regulatory Services for their exceptional
3-2 assistance during the crisis at the Branch Davidian complex; and,
3-3 be it further
3-4 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
3-5 prepared for Ms. Sparks and her colleagues at the Texas Department
3-6 of Protective and Regulatory Services as an expression of highest
3-7 regard by the Legislature of the State of Texas.
3-8 of Protective and Regulatory Services as an expression of highest
3-9 regard by the Legislature of the State of Texas.
3-10 Schechter
3-11 H.C.R. No. 118
3-12 _______________________________ _______________________________
3-13 President of the Senate Speaker of the House
3-14 I certify that H.C.R. No. 118 was adopted by the House on
3-15 April 30, 1993, by a non-record vote.
3-16 _______________________________
3-17 Chief Clerk of the House
3-18 I certify that H.C.R. No. 118 was adopted by the Senate on
3-19 May 29, 1993.
3-20 _______________________________
3-21 Secretary of the Senate
3-22 APPROVED: _____________________
3-23 Date
3-24 _____________________
3-25 Governor