H.R. No. 382

	R E S O L U T I O N
	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