By Goodman                                           H.C.R. No. 269

         75R14755 BNL-D                           

                             HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

 1-1           WHEREAS, Department of Public Safety officers faced a

 1-2     difficult situation recently when they responded to a hostage

 1-3     crisis precipitated by a group of armed separatists in Fort Davis,

 1-4     but through the restraint and sound judgment of the officers on the

 1-5     scene, a potential disaster was averted; and

 1-6           WHEREAS, The crisis began on April 27, 1997, when members of

 1-7     the Republic of Texas separatist movement seized two hostages,

 1-8     wounding one of the hostages in the process; the separatists then

 1-9     ensconced themselves in their Fort Davis compound, and Department

1-10     of Public Safety officers and Texas Rangers were called to the

1-11     scene; and

1-12           WHEREAS, Texas Rangers Captain Barry Caver opened

1-13     negotiations with the group and, prudently using unorthodox methods

1-14     when necessary, secured the safe release of both hostages just 12

1-15     hours into the ordeal; despite provocative radio transmissions from

1-16     the separatists indicating that they intended to attack, the law

1-17     enforcement officers stood their vigil and withheld fire, allowing

1-18     Captain Caver to continue negotiations; and

1-19           WHEREAS, Those officers were aided in their efforts by a

1-20     coalition of local, state, and federal entities, including the

1-21     Parks and Wildlife Department, the Forest Service, the Department

1-22     of Criminal Justice, Smith County, the National Guard, the United

1-23     States Border Patrol, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation; and

 2-1           WHEREAS, Seven days after the standoff began, the leader of

 2-2     the movement surrendered peacefully; a subsequent search of the

 2-3     compound revealed a disturbing array of weaponry, ammunition, and

 2-4     explosives, underscoring the tragedy that could have ensued if the

 2-5     negotiations had failed; and

 2-6           WHEREAS, Sworn to uphold, protect, and defend the laws of

 2-7     this state, peace officers are called on to exercise supreme

 2-8     self-control in the face of unpredictable and life-threatening

 2-9     situations, and order in our society rests largely in their ability

2-10     to remain calm and focused under extreme duress; the officers

2-11     involved in the Fort Davis incident truly lived up to these

2-12     exacting standards, and through their actions they set an example

2-13     of crisis resolution that will undoubtedly serve as a model for law

2-14     enforcement agencies throughout the nation; now, therefore, be it

2-15           RESOLVED, That the 75th Legislature of the State of Texas

2-16     hereby commend the Department of Public Safety for its effective

2-17     handling of the Fort Davis incident and extend to all law

2-18     enforcement officials involved deepest thanks in behalf of their

2-19     fellow Texans; and, be it further

2-20           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be

2-21     prepared for the Department of Public Safety as an expression of

2-22     high regard by the Texas House of Representatives and Senate.