By Green                                               H.R. No. 583
         76R11251 MDM-D                           
                                 R E S O L U T I O N
 1-1           WHEREAS, Residents of Hays, Caldwell, and Gonzales counties
 1-2     will long remember the October 1998 floods not only for the
 1-3     weather's devastating effect on people and property, but also for
 1-4     the heroic actions displayed by many of their fellow citizens in
 1-5     the face of significant peril; and
 1-6           WHEREAS, Although this natural disaster's property damage
 1-7     total reached millions of dollars, the amount and depth of human
 1-8     suffering resulting from this tragedy cannot be easily measured,
 1-9     and our hearts go out to those who have experienced loss; and
1-10           WHEREAS, The fast-rising flood waters from torrential rains
1-11     required quick thinking and immediate action to prevent an even
1-12     greater catastrophe; individuals from all walks of life
1-13     demonstrated great selflessness, strength of body and spirit, and
1-14     commitment to helping neighbors and friends, as well as total
1-15     strangers; and
1-16           WHEREAS, Hundreds of individuals from federal and state
1-17     emergency management agencies and private entities assisted during
1-18     the perilous flooding and its stunning aftermath; throughout these
1-19     three Central Texas counties, aid also came from city and county
1-20     representatives, churches, schools, and numerous dedicated
1-21     volunteers who worked nonstop for many hours to rescue families
1-22     stranded by the raging flood waters; and
1-23           WHEREAS, Texans continued to offer their help during the
1-24     weeks that followed, and many volunteers were people who had
 2-1     themselves lost everything in the disaster; in spite of this, meals
 2-2     were donated, clothes were washed, houses and possessions were
 2-3     cleaned, and residents opened their homes and hearts to those in
 2-4     need of shelter; and
 2-5           WHEREAS, The organizations and individuals who gave so
 2-6     generously of their time and resources to avert even greater
 2-7     tragedy are truly worthy of our highest praise and recognition, for
 2-8     their kindness and compassion ran every bit as deep as the raging
 2-9     waters they overcame; now, therefore, be it
2-10           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 76th Texas
2-11     Legislature hereby commend the courageous men and women whose
2-12     exceptional actions resulted in the saving of untold lives during
2-13     the 1998 flood in Central Texas, and extend sincere sympathy to
2-14     those individuals who suffered losses during this tragedy.