By:  Schechter                                       H.C.R. No. 118
       73R8737 PAN-D
                                 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.