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SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 565


In Memory

of

Robert Harris

Gaspar Saenz Hinojosa

Robin Leavell

Hector Martinez, Jr.

Julio Mireles

Stvan Francisco Rivas

Chealsa Welch

Barry Welch


	WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas joins citizens 
across Texas in mourning the loss of the people who died on 
September 15, 2001, and in recognizing those who participated in 
rescue efforts and those who survived when the Queen Isabella 
Causeway collapsed; and

	WHEREAS, A string of four barges pushed by a tugboat 
slammed into the bridge early on that fateful morning, toppling a 
160-foot section and sending several cars and trucks into the 
water more than 80 feet below; and

	WHEREAS, The eight people who lost their lives were
Robert "Bob" Harris, Gaspar Saenz Hinojosa, Robin Leavell, 
Hector Martinez, Jr., Julio Mireles, Stvan Francisco Rivas, 
Chealsa Welch, and Barry Welch; and

	WHEREAS, Through the heroic and cooperative efforts of 
individuals and members of federal, state, and local agencies, 
three people were rescued; the survivors are Brigette Goza of 
Port Isabel, Rene Mata of Laguna Vista, and Gustavo Morales, Jr., 
of Brownsville; and

	WHEREAS, Many are credited with working diligently and 
bravely together in the rescue and recovery mission and 
afterwards in the extensive reconstruction of the bridge, which 
was reopened November 21, 2001; those participating included 
members of the United States Coast Guard, the American Red Cross, 
the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Texas Department of 
Transportation, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, the 
Port Isabel, Brownsville, San Benito, Weslaco, Los Fresnos, and 
South Padre Island emergency medical services, police, fire, and 
public works personnel, and other state and federal agencies, as 
well as many other private businesses in South Texas; and

	WHEREAS, It is appropriate that the people who lost their 
lives and the individual volunteers and governmental agencies 
involved in the extraordinary rescue and recovery efforts at the 
Queen Isabella Causeway collapse forever be remembered; now, 
therefore, be it

	RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
78th Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the 
friends and families of those who lost their lives in the
Queen Isabella Causeway tragedy on September 15, 2001, and join 
the survivors in expressing deepest gratitude to the many people 
who worked in the rescue and recovery efforts; and, be it further

	RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared as an 
expression of sympathy from the Texas Senate, and that when the 
Senate adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Robert Harris, 
Gaspar Saenz Hinojosa, Robin Leavell, Hector Martinez, Jr., 
Julio Mireles, Stvan Francisco Rivas, Chealsa Welch, and
Barry Welch.
                                                                           Lucio




________________________________ 
    President of the Senate
 
    I hereby certify that the 
above Resolution was adopted by 
the Senate on April 7, 2003, by a 
rising vote.



________________________________ 
    Secretary of the Senate



________________________________ 
     Member, Texas Senate