| 1 | 1 | | 87R11893 BK-D |
|---|
| 2 | 2 | | By: Raymond H.R. No. 216 |
|---|
| 3 | 3 | | |
|---|
| 4 | 4 | | |
|---|
| 5 | 5 | | R E S O L U T I O N |
|---|
| 6 | 6 | | WHEREAS, On January 6, 2021, the United States of America |
|---|
| 7 | 7 | | witnessed one of the most disturbing episodes in its history, when a |
|---|
| 8 | 8 | | mob of thousands of rioters breached the U.S. Capitol and unleashed |
|---|
| 9 | 9 | | violence, mayhem, and lawlessness at the seat of our nation's |
|---|
| 10 | 10 | | government; and |
|---|
| 11 | 11 | | WHEREAS, The chaotic events took place over several hours, as |
|---|
| 12 | 12 | | insurrectionists pushed through barriers along the perimeter of the |
|---|
| 13 | 13 | | Capitol, overwhelmed Capitol Police officers, and chanted menacing |
|---|
| 14 | 14 | | slogans, including terroristic threats against elected officials; |
|---|
| 15 | 15 | | those who perpetrated the attack, some of whom armed themselves |
|---|
| 16 | 16 | | with tasers, tire irons, pepper spray, and makeshift weapons, did |
|---|
| 17 | 17 | | so with the intent to disrupt the electoral process and the peaceful |
|---|
| 18 | 18 | | transition of executive power, a bedrock principle of American |
|---|
| 19 | 19 | | democracy; and |
|---|
| 20 | 20 | | WHEREAS, The U.S. Capitol Police are tasked with securing and |
|---|
| 21 | 21 | | protecting the sacred halls of Congress and ensuring the safety of |
|---|
| 22 | 22 | | all legislators, staff, and visitors who occupy the Capitol |
|---|
| 23 | 23 | | grounds; on January 6, Capitol Police officers found themselves |
|---|
| 24 | 24 | | outnumbered against an increasingly hostile and violent throng of |
|---|
| 25 | 25 | | extremists, who engaged in acts of vandalism and looting inside the |
|---|
| 26 | 26 | | Capitol and assaulted law enforcement personnel who stood in their |
|---|
| 27 | 27 | | way; and |
|---|
| 28 | 28 | | WHEREAS, Capitol Police officers valiantly risked their |
|---|
| 29 | 29 | | lives to repel rioters who were attempting to infiltrate the |
|---|
| 30 | 30 | | chambers of Congress and do harm to the lawmakers who were sheltered |
|---|
| 31 | 31 | | in place; around 140 officers were hurt during the attack and |
|---|
| 32 | 32 | | several later lost their lives; Capitol Police officer Eugene |
|---|
| 33 | 33 | | Goodman, who distracted and led rioters away from the Senate |
|---|
| 34 | 34 | | chamber, was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, the legislative |
|---|
| 35 | 35 | | branch's most distinguished civilian honor, by a unanimous senate |
|---|
| 36 | 36 | | vote; and |
|---|
| 37 | 37 | | WHEREAS, Were it not for the courageous officers who stood |
|---|
| 38 | 38 | | their ground on that day, the shocking events of January 6 could |
|---|
| 39 | 39 | | have resulted in far greater destruction and loss of life, and they |
|---|
| 40 | 40 | | are deserving of our highest praise for their heroism in service to |
|---|
| 41 | 41 | | their country; now, therefore, be it |
|---|
| 42 | 42 | | RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas |
|---|
| 43 | 43 | | Legislature hereby honor the law enforcement officers who defended |
|---|
| 44 | 44 | | the United States Capitol during the January 6 insurrection and |
|---|
| 45 | 45 | | extend sincere gratitude to the entire U.S. Capitol Police force as |
|---|
| 46 | 46 | | it continues its vital work to safeguard the premises of our |
|---|
| 47 | 47 | | nation's Capitol. |
|---|