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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The Texas Department of Public Safety plays an |
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essential role in safeguarding the Capitol Complex in Austin in |
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addition to its many other important law enforcement duties, and |
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the exemplary service of DPS officers has proven especially |
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valuable in meeting the unique security challenges that have |
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existed at the statehouse over the past year; and |
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WHEREAS, Upholding their mission to "Protect and Serve |
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Texas," DPS personnel across the state distinguish themselves on a |
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daily basis as they carry out their vital work; the officers |
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assigned to the agency's Capitol Region are tasked with policing |
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the State Capitol and the surrounding area, which encompasses many |
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state government facilities; supervised by the regional director, |
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the command includes commissioned and noncommissioned personnel |
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who are divided into various districts that span the |
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46-square-block complex; and |
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WHEREAS, The responsibilities of these dedicated public |
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servants include providing security for the Capitol grounds and for |
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visiting dignitaries, staffing entrances to the building, and |
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monitoring surveillance cameras to ensure a safe and orderly |
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environment at the statehouse; moreover, they supervise traffic and |
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parking, investigate crimes, conduct vulnerability assessments, |
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and handle crowd control during rallies and demonstrations; and |
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WHEREAS, Beginning in late May of 2020, additional DPS |
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officers were assigned to the Texas Capitol as a result of ongoing |
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protests taking place in the area; arriving from locations all |
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around the state, these peace officers helped to maintain safety |
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and to protect the historic property from damage; the Capitol |
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remained closed for nearly seven months, with an increased |
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contingent of DPS troopers remaining on site into 2021; and |
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WHEREAS, Those deserving of special recognition for their |
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hard work and professionalism include DPS troopers from the North |
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Texas Region, the Southeast Texas Region, the South Texas Region, |
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the West Texas Region, the Northwest Texas Region, and the Central |
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Texas Region, all of whom assisted their colleagues in the Capitol |
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Region during this challenging time; additionally, profound thanks |
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is owed to Colonel Steven McCraw, the director of the Department of |
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Public Safety, Lieutenant Colonel Freeman Martin, Regional |
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Director David Cabrera of the Capitol Region, Major Gabe Ortiz of |
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the Capitol Region Criminal Investigations Division, Major |
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Christopher Jones, Captain Timothy Caradine, Captain Anthony |
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Rodriguez, and Security Operations Manager Kari Raesz for |
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coordinating and accommodating the additional personnel and |
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enhanced operations at the Capitol; and |
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WHEREAS, The steadfast commitment demonstrated by the DPS |
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personnel stationed at the Texas Capitol is in keeping with the |
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exceptional service rendered by all members of this elite law |
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enforcement agency, each of whom has earned the lasting gratitude |
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of the state's citizens; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas |
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Legislature hereby commend the Texas Department of Public Safety |
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for its outstanding record of protecting the Capitol Complex in |
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Austin and extend to all those affiliated with the agency sincere |
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appreciation for their significant contributions; and, be it |
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further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for the Texas Department of Public Safety as an expression |
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of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. |