83R7523 BK-D
By: Marquez H.R. No. 1029
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Six El Paso residents, Ulises Prado, Mario
Banuelos-Valenzuela, Hector Rodriguez, Irving Martinez, Jose Luna,
and Hugo Uribe, earned the admiration and appreciation of their
community on August 16, 2012, when they rescued an 18-month-old
girl from an attempted kidnapping; and
WHEREAS, The men, all tree trimmers for Asplundh Tree Expert
Company, were driving back to their work site from lunch, when they
were approached by a man who was walking through a neighborhood
where children were playing; and
WHEREAS, The workers quickly sensed that something was wrong
with the man because of his confused manner, when suddenly, he
pulled out a knife, jumped onto their truck's sidestep, and began
slashing at them; the driver stepped on the gas, causing the
assailant to fall from the vehicle, but moments later, they saw him
grab a toddler from a nearby yard; and
WHEREAS, Immediately maneuvering the truck around, they
chased the man down the road and watched as he leapt into an
irrigation canal with the child in his arms; he then dropped her
into the water while attempting to cross to the other side;
Mr. Prado, a former lifeguard, immediately jumped into the canal to
retrieve the child, who was unharmed; meanwhile, the perpetrator
continued to threaten the men with his knife, but they were
eventually able to wrestle him to the ground and hold him there
until police arrived; the girl was subsequently returned to her
profoundly grateful parents; and
WHEREAS, For their courage and quick thinking, the men were
recognized with Honorary Deputy Sheriff Awards from the El Paso
County Sheriff's Office, as well as with the El Paso Electric
Humanitarian Award; and
WHEREAS, The decisive actions of these brave men prevented a
terrible tragedy, and their immediate response to help a child in
grave danger at their own peril has touched the hearts of many
people; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas
Legislature hereby commend Ulises Prado, Mario
Banuelos-Valenzuela, Hector Rodriguez, Irving Martinez, Jose Luna,
and Hugo Uribe for their heroism in recovering an abducted child and
extend to them sincere appreciation for their extraordinary
accomplishment; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Mr. Prado, Mr. Banuelos-Valenzuela, Mr. Rodriguez,
Mr. Martinez, Mr. Luna, and Mr. Uribe as an expression of high
regard by the Texas House of Representatives.