By Hightower                                           H.R. No. 979

         75R15626 BNL-D                           

                                 R E S O L U T I O N

 1-1           WHEREAS, Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ)

 1-2     personnel provided invaluable aid in the recent standoff between

 1-3     the Republic of Texas separatist faction and law enforcement

 1-4     officials, and their efforts are indeed deserving of special

 1-5     legislative recognition; and

 1-6           WHEREAS, While Texas Rangers and Department of Public Safety

 1-7     troopers conducted negotiations with the armed group, the Texas

 1-8     Department of Criminal Justice provided meals, water, and bedding

 1-9     to the many law enforcement officials stationed on the scene; and

1-10           WHEREAS, The department provided even greater assistance when

1-11     two men escaped from the group's compound and fled into the rugged

1-12     wilderness of the nearby Davis Mountains; because the immense

1-13     terrain was inaccessible to vehicles, TDCJ tracking dogs were used

1-14     to pursue the fugitives, while correctional officers followed on

1-15     horseback and on foot; and

1-16           WHEREAS, These specially trained redbone hounds succeeded

1-17     where all else failed, twice picking up the trail of the fugitives

1-18     and leading officers to their location; tragically, two of the dogs

1-19     were wounded and another was killed in the line of duty, and a TDCJ

1-20     supervisor had to resort to deadly force when one of the fugitives

1-21     opened fire on law enforcement officials; and

1-22           WHEREAS, Throughout the Fort Davis standoff and subsequent

1-23     manhunt, law enforcement officers and personnel representing a wide

1-24     range of state, local, and federal entities worked together day and

 2-1     night to effect a peaceful end to the crisis, and Texans owe a

 2-2     great debt of gratitude to all of these fine men and women; Texas

 2-3     Department of Criminal Justice representatives deserving of special

 2-4     mention include TDCJ Executive Director Wayne Scott, Institutional

 2-5     Division Director Gary Johnson, Senior Warden Terry Foster of the

 2-6     Lynaugh and Fort Stockton units, and Field Lieutenant Eric Pechacek

 2-7     and Kennel Sergeant Ralph Hager of the Lynaugh Unit, each of whom

 2-8     made exceptional contributions to the resolution of this

 2-9     potentially disastrous situation; and

2-10           WHEREAS, In the face of tremendous danger and with numerous

2-11     lives on the line, Texas Department of Criminal Justice personnel

2-12     responded quickly, decisively, and effectively to this unfortunate

2-13     situation; their expertise and assistance proved crucial throughout

2-14     the events that unfolded in and around Fort Davis, and their heroic

2-15     service will not be forgotten; now, therefore, be it

2-16           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 75th Texas

2-17     Legislature hereby honor the Texas Department of Criminal Justice

2-18     personnel who helped to resolve the standoff at Fort Davis and

2-19     extend to them deepest appreciation on behalf of all Texans; and,

2-20     be it further

2-21           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be

2-22     prepared for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice as an

2-23     expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives.