SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 236
WHEREAS, Citizens of Navasota are coming together at their
city hall on March 2, 2013, to celebrate the dedication of a
handsome new statue of Frank Hamer, the legendary Texas Ranger
and former Navasota city marshal; and
WHEREAS, Francis Augustus Hamer was born in Fairview on
March 17, 1884; after working as a blacksmith and as a cowboy, he
enlisted with the Texas Rangers in 1906 and served along the
South Texas border, where he earned a name as an expert marksman; and
WHEREAS, In 1908, Hamer left the Rangers to become the city
marshal of Navasota, which at the time had a reputation for
wildness, and this imposing young peace officer brought law and
order to the community; he left Navasota in 1911 to become a
special officer in Harris County, and in 1915, he rejoined the
Texas Rangers; and
WHEREAS, Over the next 17 years, Hamer cemented his
legendary reputation, fighting arms smugglers, bootleggers, and
bandits along the Rio Grande and restoring order to oil boom
towns, such as Mexia, Gander Slu, and Borger; he retired from
active duty in 1932, at the rank of senior captain; and
WHEREAS, Two years later, Captain Hamer was appointed to
the position of special investigator for the Texas prison system
and charged with stopping the crime spree of the notorious bank
robbers Clyde Barrow and Bonnie Parker; after a three-month
pursuit, he trapped and killed the pair near Gibsland, Louisiana,
earning a special citation from the United States Congress for
his efforts; he died in 1955 and was buried in Austin Memorial
Park; and
WHEREAS, Created by noted Texas sculptor Russell Cushman
and forged at the Omega Bronze foundry in Smithville, the
life-size statue of Captain Hamer depicts him standing tall, with
his rifle resting on his shoulder; and
WHEREAS, During a turbulent period in their history,
citizens of Navasota benefited immeasurably from the determined
efforts of Captain Frank Hamer, and this impressive sculpture is
a fitting tribute to one of the Lone Star State's most famous
lawmen; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
83rd Legislature, hereby commemorate the dedication of the
statue of Texas Ranger Captain Frank Hamer in Navasota and extend
to all those involved in bringing this project to fruition and to
all those in attendance sincere best wishes for a memorable
event.
Schwertner
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President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on February 18, 2013.
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Secretary of the Senate
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Member, Texas Senate