By: Stickland H.R. No. 769
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, the Capitol belongs to the people of Texas and the
Representatives who convene therein and operate under the authority
of the consent of the governed; and
WHEREAS, there is no distinction in class or privilege
between the legislators, their employees, and the people of Texas
except that the former are servants of the people; and
WHEREAS, a free and open Texas State Capitol is the
embodiment of these recognitions, as well as, the cherished
tradition of freedom and democracy in this State; and
WHEREAS, a siege mentality by government officials should be
avoided at all costs as we must not lose perspective about our
purpose and the source of that purpose; and
WHEREAS, the use of metal detectors constitutes a search of
all citizens entering their Capitol; and
WHEREAS, the power of search and seizure is so great a power
that the American Founding Fathers thought it necessary to limit
its use in the Constitution by name; and
WHEREAS, the installation of metal detectors and searches
required for entry by citizens into their Capitol is not reasonable
in either its efficacy or justification; and
WHEREAS, historic incidences illustrate that unless all
individuals including elected officials and their staff entering
the building at all times of day are searched, the use of metal
detectors is ineffective in preventing firearms from entering a
building; and
WHEREAS, under Texas law, it is legal to carry a firearm into
the State Capitol; and
WHEREAS, the men and women of the Texas Department of Public
Safety possess the highest skill and ability and have proven in
every instance capable of handling the threats which metal
detectors attempt to address; and
WHEREAS, metal detectors and searches constitute a barrier
between the citizens of Texas and their government and send the
message to citizens that they are not truly welcome in the halls of
their government; and
WHEREAS, Texans understand that with freedom and openness
there is an assumption of risk for ourselves and our progeny, yet it
constitutes a sacred barter, where in the exchange, we secure our
most precious possession which is liberty for ourselves and our
children; and
WHEREAS, many Texans have made the ultimate sacrifice for our
liberties so that we may maintain a free and open government and we
should not easily cast aside their hard won bequests to our
generation; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas
Legislature finds that metal detectors and searches should not be
utilized at any entrance into the State Capitol and urges the Texas
State Preservation Board to take action to remove the metal
detectors currently in place; and, be it further
RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be delivered to the
members of the Texas State Preservation Board.