79R9528 KO-D

By:  Jackson                                                    H.C.R. No. 211



CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
	WHEREAS, Officer Brad Freis of the Addison Police Department 
has long dedicated himself to the mission of the Special Olympics, 
and, for his humanitarian efforts, he was selected to carry the 
Flame of Hope in honor of these inspiring athletes at the 2005 
Special Olympics World Winter Games in Japan; and
	WHEREAS, This symbolic flame travels to the site of the World 
Games, where law enforcement officers representing their state, 
province, or nation act as "Guardians of the Flame," running 
alongside Special Olympics athletes and carrying the torch to the 
opening ceremonies; the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) is the 
world's largest grassroots fund-raiser and public awareness 
vehicle for the Special Olympics, eliciting more than $130 million 
worldwide; and
	WHEREAS, Officer Freis has been involved with Texas LETR 
activities since 1998; one of his first projects was the creation of 
the Arrest-a-Thon program, an entertaining fund-raising event in 
which Addison civic leaders volunteer to endure the humiliation of 
a feigned public arrest by a police officer; its first year in 1999 
brought together 45 area business owners, managers, and employees 
and raised more than $18,000, and to date this event has garnered 
over $450,000; in September 2004, Officer Freis initiated another 
successful event, the Addison Business Ironman competition, 
raising cash and in-kind donations estimated at more than $65,000; 
and
	WHEREAS, Empowering its participants to become physically 
fit and to share in the joys of competition and teamwork, the 
Special Olympics serves nearly 1.4 million individuals with 
intellectual disabilities in more than 150 countries; as a true 
"Guardian of the Flame," Brad Freis has demonstrated his steadfast 
commitment to this important program and, in so doing, has helped to 
improve the lives of countless Special Olympics athletes and, in 
turn, the lives of everyone they touch; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the 79th Legislature of the State of Texas 
hereby congratulate Officer Brad Freis on being selected for the 
honor of carrying the Flame of Hope at the 2005 Special Olympics 
World Winter Games in Japan and commend him on his selfless 
contributions in behalf of this worthy cause; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for Officer Freis as an expression of high regard by the 
Texas House of Representatives and Senate.