By Morrison                                           H.R. No. 1370
         76R18151 GMW-D                           
                                 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.