R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, During October 1998 torrential rains blanketed the 1-2 cities of Cuero and Victoria, producing unprecedented flooding and 1-3 causing catastrophic losses that continue to affect countless 1-4 Texans today; and 1-5 WHEREAS, This natural disaster proved devastating for much of 1-6 the area, resulting in fatalities and immeasurable property damage 1-7 and leaving many families bereft of shelter and cherished personal 1-8 possessions; and 1-9 WHEREAS, In Victoria, the Guadalupe River, which is normally 1-10 150 feet across, swelled to an astounding width of six miles and 1-11 rose to a record-setting height of 34 feet; the city had 1-12 approximately 600 water-damaged homes and roughly 100 residents who 1-13 had to stay in shelters; and 1-14 WHEREAS, The tragedy also left 2,000 of Cuero's 7,000 1-15 residents homeless and submerged three-quarters of the entire town 1-16 after the Guadalupe River rose to nearly 50 feet, greatly 1-17 surpassing its 20-foot flood stage; and 1-18 WHEREAS, Although it is difficult to look back on this event 1-19 with anything other than sorrow and awe, the flood did help to 1-20 forge the strength and faith of the numerous individuals who joined 1-21 together in an effort to save their fellow citizens and to provide 1-22 much-needed aid and assistance; and 1-23 WHEREAS, Tales of altruism abound, as family members, 1-24 neighbors, and volunteers sacrificed their personal safety in 2-1 heroic lifesaving attempts; many brave Texans battled the forces of 2-2 nature and once again demonstrated the resolve and determination 2-3 for which our state's citizens are known; and 2-4 WHEREAS, All those who provided invaluable assistance to the 2-5 residents of Cuero and Victoria are truly worthy of our highest 2-6 respect and admiration; these individuals possess not only the 2-7 can-do attitude of Texans, but the even more noble spirit of 2-8 humanity, and their actions and deeds are indeed deserving of 2-9 special legislative recognition at this time; now, therefore, be it 2-10 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 76th Texas 2-11 Legislature hereby commend the brave and dedicated men and women 2-12 who displayed their humanitarian concern for and commitment to the 2-13 victims of this disaster; and, be it further 2-14 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-15 prepared for the citizens of Cuero and Victoria in commemoration of 2-16 the outpouring of love and concern kindled by the October 1998 2-17 flood and as a tribute to the lives of our fellow Texans who 2-18 perished during this terrible disaster. Morrison _______________________________ Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 1370 was adopted by the House on May 31, 1999, by a non-record vote. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House