SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 411

WHEREAS, Samuel Dale Allen has worked tirelessly to improve interactions between law enforcement and Texans with health conditions that may impede communication; and

WHEREAS, A San Antonio native, Samuel Allen was diagnosed with high-functioning autism as a child; he began advocating for others with autism as a student, and he has helped educate the public about the condition; moreover, he has raised vital awareness of the misunderstandings that can occur when an officer makes a traffic stop involving someone with autism, Asperger Syndrome, mild intellectual disabilities, deafness, speech disorders, or other impediments; his accomplishments earned him a Spirit of Giving Award from the San Antonio Business Journal; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Allen has been a strong voice in support of S.B. 976, which allows a person with a communication impediment the option to disclose this information when registering their vehicle through the Department of Motor Vehicles; this would place the diagnosis in the Texas Law Enforcement Telecommunication System, ensuring that an officer is alerted prior to approaching the vehicle, while maintaining the privacy of the driver; and

WHEREAS, Through his dedicated efforts, Samuel Allen is helping to make encounters safer for officers and people with communication impediments, and his contributions have earned the respect and admiration of his fellow citizens; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 86th Legislature, hereby commend Samuel Allen for his civic engagement and advocacy for individuals with communication impediments and, contingent on the passing of S.B. 976, recognize Section 502.061, Transportation Code, as the Samuel Allen Law. Hughes

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on March 14, 2019.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate