By Wilson                                              H.R. No. 552

         75R9824 JTR-D                           

                                 R E S O L U T I O N

 1-1           WHEREAS, The assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., on

 1-2     April 4, 1968, remains one of the greatest tragedies in our

 1-3     nation's history, and the incalculable loss to the world suffered

 1-4     as a result of this cold-blooded and cowardly murder is felt even

 1-5     today; and

 1-6           WHEREAS, The shock and sorrow that met the news of the

 1-7     killing quickly found expression in demands that those responsible

 1-8     for Dr.  King's death be apprehended and brought to justice, and to

 1-9     this end James Earl Ray was arrested, brought to trial, and

1-10     convicted of the murder; and

1-11           WHEREAS, Since that time, disturbing evidence has come to

1-12     light suggesting the existence of a conspiracy to kill Dr. King,

1-13     and the many discrepancies and anomalies that characterize the

1-14     official version of events have led a number of reputable figures,

1-15     including Dr. King's widow, Coretta Scott King, to request a new

1-16     investigation; and

1-17           WHEREAS, Among the unexamined questions relating to the

1-18     assassination are those surrounding possible ties to residents of

1-19     New Orleans and Houston, and circumstantial evidence, as uncovered

1-20     by attorney William F. Pepper, suggests the possibility that a

1-21     conspiracy to kill Dr. King may have been launched in Houston; such

1-22     a crime would fall under Texas jurisdiction and would be prosecuted

1-23     in Texas courts; and

1-24           WHEREAS, The American people are entitled to know the truth

 2-1     about Dr. King's murder, and although James Earl Ray remains

 2-2     incarcerated for this crime, the rapidly growing body of evidence

 2-3     that suggests the involvement of others is eloquent testimony to

 2-4     the need for a new investigation into the facts of the case; now,

 2-5     therefore, be it

 2-6           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 75th Texas

 2-7     Legislature hereby respectfully request the office of the attorney

 2-8     general to open an investigation into possible Texas connections to

 2-9     the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.; and, be it

2-10     further

2-11           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be

2-12     prepared for the attorney general of the State of Texas.