79R12550 KO-D

By:  Coleman                                                      H.R. No. 1082



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, A little over 10 years ago, some of the worst 
atrocities in the history of mankind took place in the African 
country of Rwanda, and although the events passed largely unnoticed 
by the rest of the world, a true hero emerged from that terrible 
carnage and he is Paul Rusesabagina; and
	WHEREAS, In April 1994, Mr. Rusesabagina was the acting 
manager of the luxury Mille Collines hotel in the capital city of 
Kigali when the Hutu militia began brutally killing their Tutsi 
neighbors; incited by the assassination of Rwandan president 
Juvenal Habyarimana, Hutu extremist politicians blamed Tutsi 
rebels for their leader's death and the streets were quickly filled 
by Hutu militia, who killed the Tutsi business and political elite 
before turning to ordinary citizens; and
	WHEREAS, At its peak, the genocide claimed 8,000 lives per 
day, and before it was over, it is estimated that somewhere between 
800,000 and one million Rwandans were murdered; and
	WHEREAS, More than 1,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus found a 
safe haven in Mr. Rusesabagina's hotel, which he turned into an 
impromptu refugee camp; the hotel had no defense against attacks, 
but with exceptional courage and conviction, this ordinary 
businessman managed to hold off the encroaching violence for 11 
harrowing weeks and save the lives of most of the people he 
sheltered, including his own wife and children; and
	WHEREAS, Now a businessman in Belgium, Mr. Rusesabagina 
served as a special consultant on the 2004 United Artists film, 
Hotel Rwanda, which was inspired by his remarkable story; this 
powerful and moving motion picture earned three Academy Award 
nominations, including one for actor Don Cheadle, who played Mr. 
Rusesabagina in the movie; and
	WHEREAS, A recipient of Amnesty International's Enduring 
Spirit award and the Immortal Chaplains Foundation Prize for 
Humanity, Mr. Rusesabagina continues to be involved in charity 
organizations aiding survivors of the Rwandan tragedy and has set 
up the Hotel Rwanda Rusesabagina Foundation to further help the 
relief effort; and
	WHEREAS, In these complex times, it is often difficult to do 
the right thing, but Paul Rusesabagina's inspiring story teaches us 
that it is possible for one man to make a profound difference if he 
is willing to put the welfare of others before his own; it is indeed 
a privilege to welcome Mr. Rusesabagina to the State Capitol; now, 
therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas 
Legislature hereby honor Paul Rusesabagina for his extraordinary 
humanitarianism and extend to him sincere best wishes for an 
enjoyable visit to Texas; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for Mr. Rusesabagina as an expression of high regard by the 
Texas House of Representatives.