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                                                                  H.R. No. 72 







R E S O L U T I O N

	WHEREAS, Alex Benson, a 15-year-old Plano resident, 

miraculously survived a grizzly bear attack while trekking in 

Alaska with his scout troop in July 2005, and the members of this 

chamber are pleased to have the opportunity to recognize this 

fortunate young man; and

	WHEREAS, A member of Boy Scout Troop 262, Mr. Benson 

encountered the bear on the last leg of a weeklong, 50-mile hike 

over Resurrection Pass Trail, south of Anchorage on the Kenai 

Peninsula; the bear's lightning-fast strike landed Mr. Benson on 

his back, leaving him at the mercy of one of the world's most 

ferocious and dangerous mammals; and

	WHEREAS, Although injured in the attack, Mr. Benson escaped 

with wounds to only his arm and thigh after gunshots from the .44 

Magnum of chaperone Mike McFatter caused the bear to flee; fellow 

scouts Aaron Chapman and Mikey McFatter quickly came to the aid of 

their injured friend, administering first aid and contacting 

emergency personnel by cell phone; and

	WHEREAS, Mr. Benson underwent minor surgery at Providence 

Alaska Medical Center after being transported to the facility by 

helicopter; his frightening ordeal thankfully behind him, he has 

achieved a degree of fame since returning home, doing several radio 

and newspaper interviews and visiting the CNN newsroom, and the 

soon-to-be Vines High School sophomore will undoubtedly have the 

most compelling story to tell about what he did during his summer 

vacation when he returns to school in the fall; now, therefore, be 

it

	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas 

Legislature, 2nd Called Session, hereby extend best wishes to Alex 

Benson for a full and complete recovery from his grizzly bear attack 

and commend Mike McFatter, Aaron Chapman, and Mikey McFatter for 

their quick thinking and levelheadedness in an emergency; and, be 

it further

	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 

prepared for these individuals as an expression of high regard by 

the Texas House of Representatives.



                                                                          McCall



                                                  ______________________________

                                                       Speaker of the House     



	I certify that H.R. No. 72 was adopted by the House on August 

1, 2005, by a non-record vote.



                                                  ______________________________

                                                     Chief Clerk of the House