R E S O L U T I O N
 1-1           WHEREAS, The Texas Rangers is one of the most respected and
 1-2     best known law-enforcement entities in the United States and this
 1-3     famed organization has played a significant role throughout Texas
 1-4     history; and
 1-5           WHEREAS, In 1823, Stephen F. Austin organized a group of
 1-6     volunteers with the purpose of protecting the Texas colonists, who
 1-7     numbered more than 600, and these officers, dubbed Rangers,
 1-8     performed their duties over the entirety of the country; and
 1-9           WHEREAS, A body that was known as the "Permanent Council" was
1-10     organized in 1835 and Daniel Parker, as one of its members,
1-11     sponsored a resolution on October 17 of that year to create a corps
1-12     of 60 Texas Rangers, with 10 serving on the east side of the
1-13     Trinity River, 25 assigned to the area between the Trinity and
1-14     Brazos rivers, and 25 others assigned to the area between the
1-15     Brazos and Colorado rivers; and
1-16           WHEREAS, The Texas Rangers force was further expanded in
1-17     1874, when six companies of 75 Rangers each were organized and
1-18     stationed at strategic points across the state; and
1-19           WHEREAS, During the early days of statehood, the broad
1-20     latitude of responsibilities accorded Rangers required them to
1-21     handle both the duties of a military officer and those of a member
1-22     of the police force, and these demanding circumstances forged a
1-23     unique and fearless breed of peace officer; and
1-24           WHEREAS, In 1935 the Texas Legislature established the Texas
 2-1     Department of Public Safety, and the Rangers were incorporated into
 2-2     the new agency, becoming the first law enforcement organization
 2-3     with statewide jurisdiction on the North American continent; and
 2-4           WHEREAS, In order to qualify as a Texas Ranger, a prospective
 2-5     officer needs a minimum of eight years' experience in law
 2-6     enforcement, the last four of which must have been served with the
 2-7     Texas Department of Public Safety, and 60 hours of college work or
 2-8     its equivalent; and
 2-9           WHEREAS, Members of the Texas Rangers currently provide
2-10     assistance to federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies
2-11     and are given state-of-the-art training in fingerprint recovery
2-12     technique, photography, investigative hypnosis, and other areas of
2-13     forensic analysis; and
2-14           WHEREAS, On August 5, 1998, the Texas Rangers commemorated
2-15     their 175th anniversary, and in honor of this notable occasion a
2-16     variety of celebrations were held across the state; and
2-17           WHEREAS, The brave men and women who serve their fellow
2-18     citizens as Texas Rangers truly exemplify the qualities of courage,
2-19     duty, honor, and self-sacrifice, and the organization's legendary
2-20     status in the field of law enforcement is indeed well deserved;
2-21     now, therefore, be it
2-22           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 76th Texas
2-23     Legislature hereby pay tribute to the Texas Rangers and extend
2-24     sincere appreciation to its members for their contributions to the
2-25     organization's remarkable legacy of service to the Lone Star State;
2-26     and, be it further
2-27           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
 3-1     prepared for the Texas Rangers as an expression of high regard by
 3-2     the Texas House of Representatives.
                                                                        West
                                             _______________________________
                                                   Speaker of the House
               I certify that H.R. No. 697 was adopted by the House on April
         21, 1999, by a non-record vote.
                                             _______________________________
                                                 Chief Clerk of the House