SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 236

WHEREAS, Citizens of Navasota are coming together at their city hall on March 2, 2013, to celebrate the dedication of a handsome new statue of Frank Hamer, the legendary Texas Ranger and former Navasota city marshal; and

WHEREAS, Francis Augustus Hamer was born in Fairview on March 17, 1884; after working as a blacksmith and as a cowboy, he enlisted with the Texas Rangers in 1906 and served along the South Texas border, where he earned a name as an expert marksman; and

WHEREAS, In 1908, Hamer left the Rangers to become the city marshal of Navasota, which at the time had a reputation for wildness, and this imposing young peace officer brought law and order to the community; he left Navasota in 1911 to become a special officer in Harris County, and in 1915, he rejoined the Texas Rangers; and

WHEREAS, Over the next 17 years, Hamer cemented his legendary reputation, fighting arms smugglers, bootleggers, and bandits along the Rio Grande and restoring order to oil boom towns, such as Mexia, Gander Slu, and Borger; he retired from active duty in 1932, at the rank of senior captain; and

WHEREAS, Two years later, Captain Hamer was appointed to the position of special investigator for the Texas prison system and charged with stopping the crime spree of the notorious bank robbers Clyde Barrow and Bonnie Parker; after a three-month pursuit, he trapped and killed the pair near Gibsland, Louisiana, earning a special citation from the United States Congress for his efforts; he died in 1955 and was buried in Austin Memorial Park; and

WHEREAS, Created by noted Texas sculptor Russell Cushman and forged at the Omega Bronze foundry in Smithville, the life-size statue of Captain Hamer depicts him standing tall, with his rifle resting on his shoulder; and

WHEREAS, During a turbulent period in their history, citizens of Navasota benefited immeasurably from the determined efforts of Captain Frank Hamer, and this impressive sculpture is a fitting tribute to one of the Lone Star State's most famous lawmen; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 83rd Legislature, hereby commemorate the dedication of the statue of Texas Ranger Captain Frank Hamer in Navasota and extend to all those involved in bringing this project to fruition and to all those in attendance sincere best wishes for a memorable event. Schwertner

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on February 18, 2013.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate