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.