Bill Text: TX HR583 | 2019-2020 | 86th Legislature | Enrolled
Bill Title: Honoring Refugio County rancher and dog trainer Joe Braman for his contributions to rhinoceros conservation efforts in South Africa.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2019-03-15 - Reported enrolled [HR583 Detail]
Download: Texas-2019-HR583-Enrolled.html
H.R. No. 583 |
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WHEREAS, Joe Braman, a Refugio rancher and businessman, has | ||
helped to protect an endangered species by working to curb the crime | ||
of rhinoceros poaching in South Africa; and | ||
WHEREAS, Mr. Braman was sought out for his dog training | ||
skills by Ivan Carter, founder of the Ivan Carter Wildlife | ||
Conservation Alliance, an organization that is working to address | ||
the epidemic of poaching in Africa due to the illegal wildlife | ||
trade; after journeying to South Africa, Mr. Braman saw firsthand | ||
the carnage and suffering that have been inflicted on the country's | ||
rhino population, which includes the critically endangered black | ||
rhinoceros; and | ||
WHEREAS, Returning to his ranch in Refugio County with a new | ||
sense of purpose, Mr. Braman partnered with retired K-9 handler and | ||
trainer Esequiel "Zeke" Ortiz to teach a group of coonhounds how to | ||
track and apprehend criminal poachers; the task went on to become | ||
his full-time passion, requiring him to work with the dogs every | ||
day, from the early morning hours to late at night; and | ||
WHEREAS, After a year, 50 of Mr. Braman's coonhounds were | ||
deemed fit for the job; the dogs, which are trained to travel in | ||
packs of up to 10, are capable of detecting the scent of humans who | ||
have crossed through an area several hours ago and miles away, and | ||
they are fitted with GPS tracking devices for law enforcement to | ||
follow once the pack locates a poacher; Mr. Braman began deploying | ||
the dogs to South Africa in 2018, and their efforts have since led | ||
to dozens of arrests; and | ||
WHEREAS, Joe Braman has demonstrated remarkable skill, | ||
dedication, and perseverance in his work to save some of our | ||
planet's most magnificent and vulnerable animals from extinction, | ||
and in so doing, he has shown us how the actions of one individual | ||
have the power to make a difference; now, therefore, be it | ||
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 86th Texas | ||
Legislature hereby honor Joe Braman for his contributions to | ||
rhinoceros conservation efforts in South Africa and extend to him | ||
sincere best wishes for continued success; and, be it further | ||
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be | ||
prepared for Mr. Braman as an expression of high regard by the Texas | ||
House of Representatives. | ||
Morrison | ||
______________________________ | ||
Speaker of the House | ||
I certify that H.R. No. 583 was adopted by the House on March | ||
13, 2019, by a non-record vote. | ||
______________________________ | ||
Chief Clerk of the House | ||