SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 997

	WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to 
recognize Rebekah Baker and Amanda Hardy for their heroic actions 
in rescuing Chad Overton, a Houston policeman; and

	WHEREAS, On Good Friday, April 18, 2003, Rebekah and 
Amanda, students and cheerleaders at Alvin High School, took a 
shortcut on their drive home along a road they barely knew; and

	WHEREAS, Earlier that same evening, at approximately 
8:00 p.m., Chad Overton was on his way home after completing a 
double shift as a Houston policeman; he fell asleep at the 
wheel of his truck, causing his vehicle to plunge down a steep 
embankment into a bar ditch and roll over several times; and

	WHEREAS, Driving down that same road, Rebekah and Amanda 
noticed a truck in a ditch and a man lying halfway outside of 
it, using one of his arms to signal for help; they immediately 
stopped and came to his assistance; although the man was severely 
injured, he was able to tell them the name of the country road 
they were on; the young women then used a cell phone to direct an 
ambulance to their location and to notify Chad's wife about the 
accident; and

	WHEREAS, Using knowledge learned from a high school 
emergency medical assistance course, Rebekah and Amanda worked 
to stop Chad's bleeding and to keep him warm and conscious; they 
stayed with him until the medical team and police arrived; during 
the more than three hours they remained at Chad's side, no one 
asked these two Good Samaritans for their names; and

	WHEREAS, When Chad Overton woke up in the hospital, he 
asked who the two "beautiful angels" were who had come to his 
assistance; after his wife told him that they were Alvin High 
School cheerleaders, Rebekah and Amanda were located, and they 
visited Chad in the hospital; and

	WHEREAS, The City of Alvin, the Alvin Independent School 
District, and the Alvin and Houston police departments were 
so proud of Rebekah and Amanda that they held a pep rally on 
May 8, 2003, to honor them for their heroism; Chad Overton 
attended the event to thank them publicly; and

	WHEREAS, The humanitarian actions of these two young 
women have served as an inspiration to their peers and to their 
community, and they deserve recognition for their exceptional 
courage; now, therefore, be it

	RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 
78th Legislature, hereby commend Rebekah Baker and Amanda Hardy 
for their selfless and brave actions in the rescue of Chad Overton;
and, be it further

	RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for 
these outstanding young Texans as an expression of esteem from 
the Texas Senate.
                                                                         Jackson




________________________________ 
    President of the Senate
 
    I hereby certify that the 
above Resolution was adopted by 
the Senate on May 28, 2003.



________________________________ 
    Secretary of the Senate



________________________________ 
     Member, Texas Senate