SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 597

	WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas joins the 
community of Friendswood and citizens across the state and
nation in recognizing Gay and Bob Smither for their dedicated 
work on behalf of missing children; and
	WHEREAS, Gay and Bob's daughter, Laura, a 12-year-old 
aspiring ballerina, certified scuba diver, Cadette Girl Scout, 
and gifted student, was abducted near her home in Friendswood on 
April 3, 1997; and
	WHEREAS, The Laura Recovery Center was founded as
Gay and Bob, the Friendswood Police Department, and more than 
6,000 community volunteers launched a nationwide search to
find the missing child; a trusting and cooperative relationship 
developed between the community and law enforcement in the 
intense search for Laura, and the relationship later became
known as the Triangle of Trust; and
	WHEREAS, Gay and Bob Smither know the pain, fear, and 
frustration that families experience when a child is missing,
and they dedicate many hours to working with the Laura Recovery 
Center and helping others to recover missing children; they are 
able to provide the compassion, counsel, and support to others 
that are needed at such a traumatic time in their lives; and
	WHEREAS, The couple established the Laura Recovery Center 
Foundation to assist with and improve citizen response and 
emergency preparedness in cases of missing children and to foster 
a Triangle of Trust between family, citizens, and law enforcement 
in all communities; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
78th Legislature, hereby commend Gay and Bob Smither for
their continuing efforts to work on behalf of missing children
and express appreciation for the invaluable support they
give to others in honor and in memory of their daughter,
Laura Kate Smither; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared as an 
expression of high regard from the Texas Senate.
                                                                         Jackson




________________________________ 
    President of the Senate
 
    I hereby certify that the 
above Resolution was adopted by 
the Senate on April 10, 2003.



________________________________ 
    Secretary of the Senate



________________________________ 
     Member, Texas Senate