By Christian H.R. No. 353 76R8361 JHS-D 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.