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.