R E S O L U T I O N
1-1 WHEREAS, On March 8, 1999, delegates from the city of Jasper
1-2 will visit the State Capitol, and it is indeed a privilege to
1-3 welcome these noteworthy Texans to Austin; and
1-4 WHEREAS, The county seat of one of the original 23 counties
1-5 created by the Republic of Texas in 1836, Jasper was named in honor
1-6 of Sergeant William Jasper, a hero of the American Revolutionary
1-7 War; and
1-8 WHEREAS, The natural beauty and abundance of this lovely city
1-9 have given rise to a healthy tourist industry; generations of Lone
1-10 Star residents have journeyed to this picturesque area to enjoy the
1-11 charms of small-town Texas and to attend the city's annual Lions
1-12 Club PRCA Rodeo, Azalea Arts & Crafts Festival, and Fall Fest; and
1-13 WHEREAS, The city of Jasper has been blessed with bountiful
1-14 natural resources that have helped it become a leading producer of
1-15 timber and agriculture crops; in recent years, with the advent of
1-16 horizontal drilling, the surrounding area has also become an
1-17 important producer of oil and natural gas; and
1-18 WHEREAS, Today, Jasper stands poised on the brink of a bright
1-19 economic future, enjoying a diverse economy based in part on retail
1-20 sales, manufacturing, health care services, and timber processing;
1-21 the area is experiencing steady growth, and its citizens pursue
1-22 economic prosperity while protecting the pristine environment that
1-23 contributes to the city's quality of life; and
1-24 WHEREAS, Despite the prosperity and continued growth of the
2-1 city of Jasper, its citizens are no strangers to adversity, a fact
2-2 evidenced by the heinous murder of James Byrd, Jr., in June 1998;
2-3 residents have responded to that terrible tragedy with poise,
2-4 dignity, strength, and grace, uniting through prayer and faith and
2-5 love for their community; and
2-6 WHEREAS, The Jasper community and the State of Texas owe much
2-7 gratitude to the Jasper Ministerial Alliance, the area clergy,
2-8 city and county law enforcement officials, officers and officials
2-9 of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Texas Department of
2-10 Public Safety and Texas Rangers, and countless others for their
2-11 cooperation and assistance in resolving the conflicts that arose
2-12 from that horrible slaying and for fostering measures of healing,
2-13 such as the Reconciliation Task Force; and
2-14 WHEREAS, Although many individuals have played significant
2-15 roles in addressing the death of Mr. Byrd, the following people
2-16 have made special contributions: Mayor R. C. Horn, members of the
2-17 Jasper City Council, Jasper County Sheriff Billy Rowles, Colonel
2-18 Dudley Thomas and the Texas Department of Public Safety, Jasper
2-19 County Judge Joe Folk, retired Jasper Chief of Police Harlan
2-20 Alexander, current Jasper Chief of Police Stanley Christopher,
2-21 Walter Diggles and the Deep East Texas Council of Governments, and
2-22 District Attorney Guy James Gray; and
2-23 WHEREAS, This tragedy has brought the people of Jasper closer
2-24 together, and this event will long serve as a reminder of the
2-25 preciousness and fragility of life and the positive values and
2-26 qualities that unite us all as people; now, therefore, be it
2-27 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 76th Texas
3-1 Legislature hereby welcome the fine citizens who have traveled to
3-2 Austin from Jasper on this day and recognize March 8, 1999, as
3-3 Jasper Day at the State Capitol; and, be it further
3-4 RESOLVED, That sincere sympathy be extended to the family and
3-5 loved ones of James Byrd, Jr.; and, be it further
3-6 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
3-7 prepared for the people of Jasper as an expression of high regard
3-8 by the Texas House of Representatives.
Christian
_______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 353 was adopted by the House on March
8, 1999, by a non-record vote.
_______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House