By Wilson                                       H.C.R. No. 11

      75R1489 PAN-D                           

                             HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

 1-1           WHEREAS, The citizens of Fort Bend County suffered a great

 1-2     loss with the tragic passing of Assistant District Attorney Gil

 1-3     Epstein on September 19, 1996, at the age of 27; and

 1-4           WHEREAS, A graduate of the University of Houston, this fine

 1-5     young man completed a six-month internship with the Fort Bend

 1-6     County District Attorney's Office, during which time he so

 1-7     impressed his colleagues with his professionalism, intelligence,

 1-8     and genuine belief in the judicial system that he was offered a

 1-9     permanent position with the department in May 1995; and

1-10           WHEREAS, Regarded by all who knew him as a tough but just

1-11     prosecutor, Mr. Epstein was also an outstanding person who faced a

1-12     future bright with promise as he strived to make his community a

1-13     safer place in which to live, work, and raise a family; and

1-14           WHEREAS, It is within the purview of the governor of the

1-15     State of Texas to order the state flag to be flown at half-staff

1-16     following a person's death as a mark of respect to that

1-17     individual's memory (Article 6139c, Revised Statutes); Gil Epstein

1-18     embodied those qualities that all Texans desire in a public servant

1-19     and it is appropriate that tribute be paid to Mr. Epstein in a

1-20     manner befitting his stature and sterling character; now,

1-21     therefore, be it

1-22           RESOLVED, That the 75th Legislature of the State of Texas

1-23     hereby request the governor of the State of Texas to order the

1-24     state flag to be flown at half-staff to honor the life and many

 2-1     good works of Fort Bend County Assistant District Attorney Gil

 2-2     Epstein; and, be it further

 2-3           RESOLVED, That the Texas secretary of state forward an

 2-4     official copy of this resolution to the governor of the State of

 2-5     Texas.