By: Leedom S.R. No. 541 1-1 SENATE RESOLUTION 1-2 WHEREAS, The Senate of the Texas is honored to recognize 1-3 Children's Protective Services Investigations Supervisor 1-4 Joyce Sparks for the many positive contributions she has made on 1-5 behalf of the children involved in the Mount Carmel incident in 1-6 Waco; and 1-7 WHEREAS, Ms. Sparks became aware of the gravity of the 1-8 situation that existed there in late 1991 and began efforts to 1-9 bring the children to safety and out of the Branch Davidian 1-10 compound; none of the allegations met the criteria required for 1-11 direct intervention by her agency; and 1-12 WHEREAS, Ms. Sparks worked closely with the Federal Bureau 1-13 of Investigation, Texas Department of Public Safety Intelligence 1-14 Division, McLennan County District Attorney's Office, and the 1-15 McLennan County Sheriff's Office to gather enough information to 1-16 cause an agency investigation that began in February, 1992; and 1-17 WHEREAS, In the course of that investigation, Ms. Sparks 1-18 rendered invaluable aid to the Federal Bureau of Investigation and 1-19 the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms; in the year before the 1-20 crisis, Ms. Sparks made at least four visits to the Branch Davidian 1-21 compound to begin a dialogue with David Koresh; while getting 1-22 information about the children, Ms. Sparks photographed the interior 1-23 of the fortress and made detailed floor plans, including specific 2-1 information about the weapons cache; this invaluable information was 2-2 turned over to law enforcement officials; Joyce Sparks also served 2-3 in an advisory capacity when she went with an Alcohol, Tobacco and 2-4 Firearms agent to the compound; and 2-5 WHEREAS, Ms. Sparks has spent countless thankless hours 2-6 working with the children who were recently released; she spent a 2-7 great deal of time at the Methodist Home talking to and comforting 2-8 the children from Mount Carmel; and 2-9 WHEREAS, All of Joyce Sparks's actions over the past two 2-10 years have demonstrated incredible devotion to her responsibilities 2-11 and to her job; she has risked her own safety for the sake of the 2-12 children to whom she is so dedicated; now, therefore, be it 2-13 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 2-14 73rd Legislature, hereby applaud and commend Joyce Sparks for her 2-15 resourcefulness and dedication in aiding law enforcement officials; 2-16 and, be it further 2-17 RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for 2-18 her as an expression of great admiration and appreciation from 2-19 the Texas Senate. 2-20 _____________________________________ 2-21 President of the Senate 2-22 I hereby certify that the 2-23 above Resolution was adopted by 2-24 the Senate on April 5, 1993. 2-25 _____________________________________ 3-1 Secretary of the Senate 3-2 _____________________________________ 3-3 Member, Texas Senate