R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The passing of Nell Myers of Austin on September 26, 1-2 2000, at the age of 75, has brought a great loss to the family and 1-3 many friends of this esteemed woman, who was a dedicated advocate 1-4 on behalf of victims of violent crimes; and 1-5 WHEREAS, After the tragic murder of her daughter, Cydney 1-6 Myers, in June 1979, Mrs. Myers focused her pain and her loss by 1-7 advocating for changes in the criminal justice system to make law 1-8 enforcement agencies, prosecuting attorneys, and judges more 1-9 sensitive to the experiences and needs of victims of crime; and 1-10 WHEREAS, Along with Travis County District Attorney Ronnie 1-11 Earle, Mrs. Myers drafted what eventually became the crime victims' 1-12 bill of rights; in addition, she founded People Against Violent 1-13 Crime, a nonprofit organization dedicated to securing the rights of 1-14 victims of violent crime and to ensuring that these traumatized 1-15 individuals be provided any necessary assistance; and 1-16 WHEREAS, Mrs. Myers was instrumental in advising state and 1-17 national officials regarding the rights and needs of violent crime 1-18 victims; to that end, she played a pivotal role in the passage of 1-19 legislation in Texas in 1985, including the crime victims' bill of 1-20 rights; this landmark bill allows victims of violent crime and 1-21 their relatives to give impact statements about the life-altering 1-22 effects of the crimes committed against them before judges and the 1-23 Board of Pardons and Paroles and requires that victims be notified 1-24 of parole proceedings for the offenders who victimized them; and 2-1 WHEREAS, She also was integral to ensuring the subsequent 2-2 ratification of a state constitutional amendment dedicating the 2-3 compensation to victims of crime fund in the State Treasury, 2-4 providing that the money deposited therein can be used only for 2-5 compensation, assistance, and services to victims of violent crime; 2-6 and 2-7 WHEREAS, In praise of her work nationwide to promote 2-8 recognition for the suffering and needs of victims of violent 2-9 crime, Mrs. Myers was honored in 1994 by President Bill Clinton at 2-10 a White House reception; and 2-11 WHEREAS, Nell Myers was a diligent advocate for the victims 2-12 of violent crime, and her tireless efforts truly made an 2-13 immeasurable difference in the lives of many; although she is gone 2-14 from us now, her spirit most certainly lives on in the hearts and 2-15 minds of the many people she so deeply affected; now, therefore, be 2-16 it 2-17 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas 2-18 Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Nell Myers and extend 2-19 deepest sympathy to the members of her family: to her daughter, 2-20 Whitney Myers; to her siblings, nieces, and nephews; and to her 2-21 other relatives and many friends; and, be it further 2-22 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-23 prepared for the members of her family and that when the Texas 2-24 House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of 2-25 Nell Myers. Keel _______________________________ Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 451 was unanimously adopted by a rising vote of the House on April 20, 2001. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House