By Merritt H.R. No. 187 75R6717 JHS-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The relationship between crime and drugs continues 1-2 to grow stronger each year, and some reports estimate that as much 1-3 as 80 percent of all criminal activity is drug-related; and 1-4 WHEREAS, The Turn Around Texas program was designed with the 1-5 idea of making the Lone Star State inhospitable for drug dealers; 1-6 the members of this group have taken a confrontational approach 1-7 with known drug dealers, and though they have suffered insults and 1-8 injury, these brave individuals have not backed down in their quest 1-9 to rid Texas of illegal drug traffickers; and 1-10 WHEREAS, Modeled on the successful Turn Around America 1-11 program, Texas' version was developed by Governor George W. Bush in 1-12 conjunction with Attorney General Dan Morales; its success has 1-13 increased the awareness of substance abuse and has encouraged 1-14 greater participation in finding an effective solution for our drug 1-15 problem; and 1-16 WHEREAS, Cities currently involved in this dynamic concept 1-17 include Kilgore, Corsicana, Taylor, Waxahachie, Greenville, 1-18 Terrell, Plainview, Odessa, Alice, Texas City, La Marque, 1-19 Palestine, Marshall, Longview, Elgin, and Rockdale; the support of 1-20 these cities and their law enforcement officials has helped make 1-21 Turn Around Texas a major success; and 1-22 WHEREAS, Drugs pose a significant threat to people of all 1-23 ages, races, and economic backgrounds, and this lack of 1-24 discrimination has served to bring the people of Texas together in 2-1 the fight against this common enemy; by making a commitment to 2-2 purge our state of drugs, we are taking great strides toward the 2-3 eventual elimination of one of our most pressing social problems; 2-4 now, therefore, be it 2-5 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 75th Texas 2-6 Legislature hereby commend the members of the Turn Around Texas 2-7 program for their outstanding efforts and urge supporting 2-8 communities and businesses to make every Friday "Up With Hope and 2-9 Down With Dope" Day; and, be it further 2-10 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-11 prepared for the members of Turn Around Texas as an expression of 2-12 high regard by the Texas House of Representatives.