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CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, Each February, Hit-and-Run Awareness Month is |
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observed throughout the nation to highlight the danger these |
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accidents pose to the public and the often tragic toll they can |
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exact on families and communities; and |
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WHEREAS, An average of 682,000 hit-and-run incidents have |
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taken place in the United States each year since 2006; a record-high |
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2,049 deaths occurred from these crashes in 2016, with pedestrians |
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and cyclists accounting for most of the fatalities; and |
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WHEREAS, In Texas, the state Transportation Code specifies |
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that drivers are legally obligated to stop if they are involved in |
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an accident of any kind, and failure to do so can result in a second |
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degree felony charge; nonetheless, Texas ranks eighth in the nation |
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in the number of hit-and-run crashes; and |
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WHEREAS, The heartbreaking loss of East Texas resident Josey |
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Lynn Scott offers an example of the terrible consequences that can |
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result from a hit-and-run; a 2013 graduate of Tarkington High |
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School, where she served as FFA president during her senior year, |
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Ms. Scott went on to enroll at Angelina College with the goal of |
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becoming a dental hygienist; this vibrant young woman relished |
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hunting, fishing, riding horses, and other outdoor activities, and |
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she was active in the Christian Cowboy Fellowship Church in |
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Cleveland, Texas; on February 10, 2015, while jogging along FM 2666 |
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near Shepherd, she was struck from behind by a vehicle; the driver |
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fled without rendering assistance, and Ms. Scott died at the scene |
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at the age of 19; and |
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WHEREAS, In the aftermath of the tragedy, Ms. Scott's family |
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started the "Justice for Josey" campaign, which has worked to focus |
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attention on the issue and to provide support for other victims and |
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their families; additionally, the organization has fought for |
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tougher laws for offenders who leave the scene of a crash; and |
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WHEREAS, Increased public awareness is key to reducing the |
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number of hit-and-run injuries and fatalities, and it is indeed |
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appropriate that February be officially designated as Hit-and-Run |
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Awareness Month and that all Texans be encouraged to affirm their |
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commitment to making our roadways safer for all; now, therefore, be |
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it |
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RESOLVED, That the 86th Legislature of the State of Texas |
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hereby designate February as Hit-and-Run Awareness Month and pay |
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tribute to the memory of Josey Lynn Scott; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That, in accordance with the provisions of Section |
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391.004(d), Government Code, this designation remain in effect |
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until the 10th anniversary of the date that this resolution is |
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finally passed by the legislature. |