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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The year 2007 marks the second anniversary of the |
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devastating explosion at the BP Texas City refinery, and this |
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solemn occasion provides an opportunity to remember the victims of |
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that tragic incident; and |
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WHEREAS, In the early afternoon of March 23, 2005, a geyser of |
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highly flammable liquid and vapor erupted from a blowdown drum at |
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the refinery; ignited by an idling pickup truck, the material |
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exploded, and workers who had been making their way through a |
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typical Wednesday were suddenly caught up in a deadly disaster; and |
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WHEREAS, In that inferno of heat and smoke, 15 men and women |
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lost their lives, and 180 more were injured; countless families |
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along the Gulf Coast were personally touched by the incident, and |
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citizens throughout Texas and the rest of the country wondered how |
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an accident of this magnitude had taken place; and |
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WHEREAS, Over the two years that have elapsed since that |
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fateful afternoon, investigations have been launched by the U.S. |
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Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board and by an |
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independent panel of experts convened by BP; their findings have |
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highlighted a range of safety problems that led to the explosion, |
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and new industry practices and state legislation have been proposed |
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to address those issues; a measure popularly known as the "Remember |
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the 15 Bill" has been introduced in the 80th Texas Legislature, and |
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this effort was initiated by Eva Rowe, who lost both of her parents |
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in the disaster; and |
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WHEREAS, The catastrophic turn of events that transpired on |
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that March day are a sobering reminder of the hazards that can exist |
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in the workplaces of the Lone Star State, and the immense sadness |
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and suffering endured by the victims and their loved ones are cause |
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for meaningful reflection by all Texans; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 80th Texas |
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Legislature hereby pay tribute to the victims of the BP Texas City |
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refinery explosion and extend condolences to those affected by this |
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tragic event; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for the families of the victims and that when the Texas |
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House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of |
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those killed in the BP Texas City disaster. |
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Eiland |
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______________________________ |
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Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.R. No. 987 was unanimously adopted by a |
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rising vote of the House on March 22, 2007. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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