SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 224
In Memory
of
The Victims of the Tragic Shooting
in El Paso on August 3, 2019
WHEREAS, People from across the state of Texas and the
nation were outraged and deeply saddened by the horrific events
that took place in El Paso on August 3, 2019, when a gunman went
on a racially motivated shooting rampage that claimed the lives
of 23 men, women, and children; and
WHEREAS, The gunman, who had published an online essay
detailing his white supremacist and anti-immigrant views,
traveled 10 hours from his North Texas residence with the
expressed intent of targeting people of Mexican descent; armed
with an assault rifle, he carried out his attack at the Walmart
near El Paso's Cielo Vista Mall on a crowded day when more than
one thousand shoppers and one hundred employees were inside the
store; and
WHEREAS, Valiantly risking their own lives, a number of
individuals attempted to usher shoppers and employees to safety
and protect others in the line of fire; six minutes after
receiving the first report of the attack, police arrived and
apprehended the gunman, bringing the incident to an end with a
final toll of 23 dead and 23 wounded; and
WHEREAS, The victims killed that day ranged in age from 15
to 90 years old, and many more, including children as young as two
years old, suffered traumatic injuries; the Walmart store was a
popular shopping destination for both El Pasoans and for Mexicans
taking day trips across the border, and a number of Mexican
nationals were among those who lost their lives; and
WHEREAS, In the aftermath of that tragic day, El Pasoans
demonstrated that the spirit of their community was far too
resilient to be broken by one disgraceful act of hate; alongside
stories of heroism during the massacre were reports of everyday
people lining up at hospitals to donate blood, offering profound
compassion, support, and comfort to the surviving families, and
rallying behind the mantra "El Paso Strong"; in what was perhaps
one of the most moving moments in the weeks that followed, a
grieving husband invited the public to attend his wife's memorial
service, resulting in more than 3,000 fellow residents turning
out to pay their respects; and
WHEREAS, The incident, which was the deadliest mass
shooting targeting Latinos in Texas history, was a devastating
shock to a city that is so renowned for its welcoming hospitality
and close-knit sense of community; more than a year has passed
since that terrible event made headlines all across the world,
but the passage of time has not diminished the tremendous sense
of grief felt over the loss of 23 innocent lives, nor has it
lessened the resolve of the people of El Paso to stand together
against the insidious forces of hatred, prejudice, and violence;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 87th
Legislature, hereby pay tribute to the victims of the mass
shooting that took place in El Paso on August 3, 2019, and offer
heartfelt condolences to the families and friends who carry on
their memories.
Blanco
Alvarado Hinojosa Paxton Alvarado Hinojosa Paxton
Alvarado Hinojosa Paxton
Bettencourt Huffman Perry Bettencourt Huffman Perry
Bettencourt Huffman Perry
Birdwell Hughes Powell Birdwell Hughes Powell
Birdwell Hughes Powell
Buckingham Johnson Schwertner Buckingham Johnson Schwertner
Buckingham Johnson Schwertner
Campbell Kolkhorst Seliger Campbell Kolkhorst Seliger
Campbell Kolkhorst Seliger
Creighton Lucio Springer Creighton Lucio Springer
Creighton Lucio Springer
Eckhardt Menéndez Taylor Eckhardt Menéndez Taylor
Eckhardt Menéndez Taylor
Gutierrez Miles West Gutierrez Miles West
Gutierrez Miles West
Hall Nelson Whitmire Hall Nelson Whitmire
Hall Nelson Whitmire
Hancock Nichols Zaffirini Hancock Nichols Zaffirini
Hancock Nichols Zaffirini
Patrick, President of the Senate
________________________________
President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on April 7, 2021, by a
rising vote.
________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
________________________________
Member, Texas Senate
Alvarado Hinojosa Paxton
Bettencourt Huffman Perry
Birdwell Hughes Powell
Buckingham Johnson Schwertner
Campbell Kolkhorst Seliger
Creighton Lucio Springer
Eckhardt Menéndez Taylor
Gutierrez Miles West
Hall Nelson Whitmire
Hancock Nichols Zaffirini