What This Bill Does
This resolution celebrates the 200th anniversary of the Texas Ranger Division of the Texas Department of Public Safety in 2023. The Senate honors the men and women who have served in the Texas Rangers, both past and present.
Who It Affects
The Texas Ranger Division of the Texas Department of Public Safety and the current 234 full-time employees (166 commissioned Texas Rangers and 68 support personnel) who work there.
Key Provisions
The Senate commemorates the 200th anniversary of the Texas Rangers and applauds their significant achievements.
The Senate commends the thousands of men and women who have served in the Texas Rangers throughout its history, including current employees.
The Senate remembers the 149 Texas Rangers who died while performing their duties.
The Senate recognizes the critical role the Texas Rangers have played throughout Texas history, beginning with Stephen F. Austin, who organized the Texas Rangers for common defense.
What Changes
Not specified in bill text. This is a resolution expressing the Senate's recognition and honor of the Texas Rangers. Resolutions do not create new laws or requirements.
Important Definitions
None defined.
III
118TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
S. RES. 86
Commemorating the bicentennial of the Texas Ranger Division of the Texas
Department of Public Safety, the oldest State law enforcement agency
in North America, and honoring the men and women, past and present,
of the Texas Rangers.
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
MARCH 1, 2023
Mr. CRUZ (for himself and Mr. CORNYN) submitted the following resolution;
which was considered and agreed to
RESOLUTION
Commemorating the bicentennial of the Texas Ranger Divi-
sion of the Texas Department of Public Safety, the oldest
State law enforcement agency in North America, and
honoring the men and women, past and present, of the
Texas Rangers.
Whereas the Texas Ranger Division of the Texas Department
of Public Safety was established in 1823 and will com-
memorate its 200th anniversary in 2023;
Whereas the Texas Rangers are the oldest law enforcement
organization on the North American continent with state-
wide jurisdiction;
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•SRES 86 ATS
Whereas the Texas Rangers have played an influential, val-
iant, and honorable role from the early years of Texas to
the present day;
Whereas, through the centuries, the Texas Rangers have
served as—
(1) a citizen militia, protecting ranches, farms, and
settlements against hostile raids;
(2) frontier peace officers, protecting against out-
laws and banditry;
(3) law enforcement to new towns and settlements
on burgeoning railroad routes and cattle trails; and
(4) State police, handling lawlessness in oil boom-
towns, violations of Prohibition, and gangsters;
Whereas, in 1935, the Texas Rangers were incorporated into
one of the first departments of public safety in the
United States;
Whereas the Texas Rangers are internationally respected
for—
(1) conducting major criminal investigations;
(2) suppressing organized crime;
(3) performing border reconnaissance;
(4) expertise with respect to special weapons and
tactics;
(5) serving as bomb squads;
(6) special rapid response capabilities;
(7) crisis negotiation capabilities;
(8) joint intelligence center management; and
(9) investigating unsolved crimes;
Whereas the pioneering initiatives of the Texas Rangers, such
as the Interdiction for the Protection of Children pro-
gram, have resulted in invitations from law enforcement
agencies throughout the United States and internation-
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•SRES 86 ATS
ally, from Australia to Great Britain, to help initiate
similar law enforcement initiatives;
Whereas the Texas Rangers have partnered with Federal
agencies on numerous public safety and relief initiatives,
such as in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, and with
the Federal Bureau of Investigation on numerous occa-
sions, including the pursuit of Bonnie Parker and Clyde
Barrow in 1934;
Whereas the Texas Rangers have captured the imagination of
the public and have become icons of United States pop-
ular culture;
Whereas songs, books, and novels have been written about
the Texas Rangers since the 1840s;
Whereas the Texas Rangers are the largest and oldest multi-
media ‘‘franchise’’ of the United States, dating back to
the earliest years of film, radio, and television; and
Whereas the Texas Rangers have been featured in more than
225 movies and 7 television series: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate—
1
(1) commemorates the 200th anniversary of the
2
Texas Rangers;
3
(2) applauds the significant achievements of the
4
Texas Rangers;
5
(3) commends the thousands of men and
6
women who have served in both field and command
7
ranks of the Texas Rangers, both before and after
8
Texas statehood, including the current 234 full-time
9
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•SRES 86 ATS
employees consisting of 166 commissioned Texas
1
Rangers and 68 support personnel;
2
(4) remembers the 149 Texas Rangers who val-
3
iantly lost their lives in the performance of their du-
4
ties; and
5
(5) recognizes the critical role the Texas Rang-
6
ers have played throughout the history of Texas, be-
7
ginning with Stephen F. Austin, the ‘‘Father of
8
Texas’’, who organized the Texas Rangers for the
9
common defense over the range of the Texas Repub-
10
lic.
11
Æ
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