Bill Text: TX HR382 | 2013-2014 | 83rd Legislature | Enrolled
Bill Title: Honoring Gerardo Acevedo Danache for his aid in the safe return of U.S. Marine Jon Hammar from a Mexican federal prison.
Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1)
Status: (Passed) 2013-03-11 - Reported enrolled [HR382 Detail]
Download: Texas-2013-HR382-Enrolled.html
| H.R. No. 382 | ||
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| WHEREAS, Gerardo Acevedo Danache played a crucial role in | ||
| securing the release of Jon Hammar, a U.S. citizen who was detained | ||
| in a Mexican federal prison; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Jon Hammar is a 27-year-old native of Eagle Pass and | ||
| a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps; in August 2012, he and a friend | ||
| crossed the U.S.-Mexico border while on a road trip to Costa Rica, | ||
| during which he planned to hunt using a vintage shotgun that had | ||
| belonged to his grandfather; although he had declared the weapon to | ||
| U.S. customs officials and was told that it would not present a | ||
| problem, he was arrested and charged with possession of an illegal | ||
| firearm upon entering Mexico, as he had not obtained the necessary | ||
| permit; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Mr. Hammar was detained in Matamoros, directly | ||
| across the border from Brownsville, in one of the country's most | ||
| notorious prisons; there, he was held in deplorable conditions and | ||
| became the target of violent threats and extortion attempts by | ||
| criminal gangs; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Gerardo Acevedo Danache, a Mexican attorney | ||
| specializing in international affairs, became aware of Mr. Hammar's | ||
| dire situation and understood that he needed to act as quickly as | ||
| possible; using his position as vice president of the Tamaulipas | ||
| Chamber of Commerce, he organized a massive press conference to | ||
| bring attention to the case and called on the president of Mexico | ||
| and the Tamaulipas state governor to intervene on the American | ||
| prisoner's behalf; he subsequently began an intense media campaign, | ||
| with the aid of the Brownsville Herald, to put more pressure on | ||
| authorities; and | ||
| WHEREAS, The heroic actions of Mr. Acevedo Danache and other | ||
| media figures resulted in an outpouring of support from both sides | ||
| of the border; eight days later, Mr. Hammar was released, having | ||
| been incarcerated for more than four months; and | ||
| WHEREAS, A longtime advocate for increased cooperation | ||
| between the United States and Mexico, Mr. Acevedo Danache has been | ||
| recognized by such authorities as the California Highway Patrol and | ||
| Governor Bob Miller of Nevada for his efforts to promote | ||
| international relations; in addition to his involvement in the | ||
| Matamoros and Tamaulipas chambers of commerce, he has held a number | ||
| of posts in the Mexican government and has served in Mexican | ||
| consulates and embassies in the United States and other nations; | ||
| and | ||
| WHEREAS, By winning Jon Hammar's freedom, Gerardo Acevedo | ||
| Danache has shown what can be accomplished through the perseverance | ||
| of one determined individual, and we, as Texans, are proud to | ||
| commend the efforts of this hero as we welcome another hero home; | ||
| now, therefore, be it | ||
| RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas | ||
| Legislature hereby honor Gerardo Acevedo Danache for his successful | ||
| intervention in the safe return of a U.S. Marine and extend to Mr. | ||
| Acevedo Danache the sincere appreciation of a grateful citizenry; | ||
| and, be it further | ||
| RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be | ||
| prepared for Gerardo Acevedo Danache as an expression of high | ||
| regard by the Texas House of Representatives. | ||
| Lucio III | ||
| ______________________________ | ||
| Speaker of the House | ||
| I certify that H.R. No. 382 was adopted by the House on | ||
| February 28, 2013, by a non-record vote. | ||
| ______________________________ | ||
| Chief Clerk of the House | ||
