By: Stickland	H.R. No. 769

	R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, the Capitol belongs to the people of Texas and the
	Representatives who convene therein and operate under the authority
	of the consent of the governed; and
	WHEREAS, there is no distinction in class or privilege
	between the legislators, their employees, and the people of Texas
	except that the former are servants of the people; and
	WHEREAS, a free and open Texas State Capitol is the
	embodiment of these recognitions, as well as, the cherished
	tradition of freedom and democracy in this State; and
	WHEREAS, a siege mentality by government officials should be
	avoided at all costs as we must not lose perspective about our
	purpose and the source of that purpose; and
	WHEREAS, the use of metal detectors constitutes a search of
	all citizens entering their Capitol; and
	WHEREAS, the power of search and seizure is so great a power
	that the American Founding Fathers thought it necessary to limit
	its use in the Constitution by name; and
	WHEREAS, the installation of metal detectors and searches
	required for entry by citizens into their Capitol is not reasonable
	in either its efficacy or justification; and
	WHEREAS, historic incidences illustrate that unless all
	individuals including elected officials and their staff entering
	the building at all times of day are searched, the use of metal
	detectors is ineffective in preventing firearms from entering a
	building; and
	WHEREAS, under Texas law, it is legal to carry a firearm into
	the State Capitol; and
	WHEREAS, the men and women of the Texas Department of Public
	Safety possess the highest skill and ability and have proven in
	every instance capable of handling the threats which metal
	detectors attempt to address; and
	WHEREAS, metal detectors and searches constitute a barrier
	between the citizens of Texas and their government and send the
	message to citizens that they are not truly welcome in the halls of
	their government; and
	WHEREAS, Texans understand that with freedom and openness
	there is an assumption of risk for ourselves and our progeny, yet it
	constitutes a sacred barter, where in the exchange, we secure our
	most precious possession which is liberty for ourselves and our
	children; and
	WHEREAS, many Texans have made the ultimate sacrifice for our
	liberties so that we may maintain a free and open government and we
	should not easily cast aside their hard won bequests to our
	generation; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas
	Legislature finds that metal detectors and searches should not be
	utilized at any entrance into the State Capitol and urges the Texas
	State Preservation Board to take action to remove the metal
	detectors currently in place; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be delivered to the
	members of the Texas State Preservation Board.