By: A. Johnson of Harris H.R. No. 74
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Houston-area residents were shocked and deeply
saddened by the tragic shooting death of Cesar Cortes on January 14,
2020, at the age of 19; and
WHEREAS, A senior at Bellaire High School, Cesar Cortes was
the commander of the school's Junior Reserve Officers Training
Corps Delta Company; he was killed in the JROTC supply room before
drill practice when a younger cadet was showing off a handgun and
pulled the trigger, hitting Mr. Cortes in the chest; the shooter
was convicted of manslaughter in January 2021; and
WHEREAS, Cesar Cortes was an outstanding young man who
inspired others with his natural leadership ability; deeply
patriotic, he had already enlisted in the U.S. Army; he was quiet,
serious, and hardworking in school, and those who shared in his love
and friendship were drawn to his kindness, sense of humor, and
winning smile; and
WHEREAS, The death of Cesar Cortes devastated his family,
including his mother Cecilia, father Antonio, and brother Dylan; it
also traumatized his school and his community; adding to the
anguish, several individuals reported only after the fatal shooting
that they had seen the younger cadet at school with the gun in his
possession earlier on that terrible day; moreover, the campus had
two previous instances of weapons possession reported in discipline
data for 2018-2019, and in that period, more than two dozen cases
were reported across the Houston Independent School District; and
WHEREAS, Cesar Cortes planned to devote his career to the
defense of his fellow Americans, and his life can best be honored by
ensuring that no other family endures the heartbreak and loss that
his loved ones have endured; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Cesar Cortes and
express support for stronger firearms safety measures.