By Berlanga                                           H.R. No. 1290

         75R16027 JTR-D                           

                                 R E S O L U T I O N

 1-1           WHEREAS, On May 15, 1997, Corpus Christi police officer

 1-2     Curtis Abbott rescued fisherman Jose Contreras from almost certain

 1-3     death by drowning, and his coolheaded and courageous action is

 1-4     truly deserving of special praise and recognition; and

 1-5           WHEREAS, Officer Abbott was off duty and had just embarked on

 1-6     a day of fishing when he spotted an abandoned boat and, on further

 1-7     investigation, found one swimmer attempting to keep another afloat;

 1-8     reacting quickly, Officer Abbott pulled the men to safety and began

 1-9     to apply cardiopulmonary resuscitation to Mr. Contreras, whose

1-10     vital signs were dangerously low; and

1-11           WHEREAS, Fortunately, Officer Abbott had his portable

1-12     telephone with him, and by continuing to administer CPR until

1-13     emergency services could respond to his call he ensured

1-14     Mr. Contreras's eventual recovery; and

1-15           WHEREAS, The seriousness of Mr. Contreras's condition was

1-16     confirmed by emergency room personnel, who credit Officer Abbott

1-17     with saving the fisherman's life; and

1-18           WHEREAS, A Corpus Christi native, Officer Abbott is a

1-19     graduate of Ray High School and The University of Texas at Austin,

1-20     and he worked as a biologist before becoming a police officer;

1-21     deeply committed to the preservation of the coastal environment, he

1-22     serves as a board member of the Coastal Conservation Association

1-23     and chairs that organization's Hatchery Committee; and

1-24           WHEREAS, Thanks to Curtis Abbott's steady nerves and skilful

 2-1     response, Jose Contreras's life was spared, and we join the friends

 2-2     and family of Mr. Contreras in recognizing Officer Abbott's

 2-3     selfless actions; now, therefore, be it

 2-4           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 75th Texas

 2-5     Legislature hereby honor Officer Curtis Abbott for his rescue of

 2-6     Jose Contreras and extend to him sincere best wishes for success

 2-7     and happiness in the years to come; and, be it further

 2-8           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be

 2-9     prepared for Officer Abbott as an expression of high regard by the

2-10     Texas House of Representatives.