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