By Coleman                                             H.R. No. 983
         76R16092 BE-D                           
                                 R E S O L U T I O N
 1-1           WHEREAS, U.S.  Representative Ken Bentsen has demonstrated
 1-2     exemplary leadership in his efforts to preserve the Texas homestead
 1-3     exemption against federal reform, and his actions indeed merit
 1-4     special legislative recognition; and
 1-5           WHEREAS, The Texas homestead law, which exempts a Lone Star
 1-6     resident's homestead in the event of bankruptcy and places no
 1-7     monetary restrictions on that property is central to values that
 1-8     Texans hold dear and has a colorful and significant history in this
 1-9     state; Sam Houston, one of the original heroes of the Republic of
1-10     Texas, was a strong proponent of including the law within the
1-11     constitution; he had personal experience with bankruptcy and was
1-12     committed to sparing future Texans the devastation of losing their
1-13     homes; and
1-14           WHEREAS, Provisions in the federal Bankruptcy Reform Act of
1-15     1999, H.R. 833, would supersede the Texas Constitution and our
1-16     state's homestead exemption by capping the amount of equity
1-17     protected in a bankruptcy proceeding; and
1-18           WHEREAS,  Recognizing that this issue should best be left to
1-19     the states, Congressman Bentsen introduced two successful
1-20     amendments to H.R. 833, one delaying the effective date of the
1-21     legislation and the other including language that would allow
1-22     states to opt out of the new homestead cap; and
1-23           WHEREAS, The Texas Homestead Law is a fundamental part of the
1-24     Texas Constitution, protecting homeowners from the forced sale of
 2-1     their home for debt payment; in light of Representative Bentsen's
 2-2     important efforts, it is justly fitting to honor him at this time;
 2-3     now, therefore, be it
 2-4           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 76th Texas
 2-5     Legislature hereby commend U.S. Representative Ken Bentsen for his
 2-6     determined work in protecting the integrity of the Texas
 2-7     Constitution and the rights of Lone Star citizens by preserving the
 2-8     Texas homestead exemption; and, be it further
 2-9           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
2-10     prepared for Congressman  Bentsen as an expression of highest
2-11     regard by the Texas House of Representatives.