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