Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN Texas It is a tragedy that the United States Government has once again failed in its duty to the citizens of Texas said Representative Dan Flynn (R-Van) as he traveled the Border Region of the United States & Mexico while preparing to introduce border security legislation during the 2011 Legislative Session beginning in January.
Unexpected was the opportunity to meet with local law enforcement officials and to learn firsthand of the most recent shooting of David Michael Hartley.
The 30-year-old McAllen resident presumed dead after a purported pirate attack on him and his wife one week ago on Falcon Reservoir.
Representative Flynn was able to meet and visit with Tiffany Young-Hartley the spouse of Mr. Hartley and his mother and father. She reported her story of how her husband was shot in the head.
She fled to the U.S. shore of the reservoir after trying in vain to get his limp body onto her personal watercraft.
After meeting with the family and discussing the incident Flynn assisted and participated in a brief memorial service with Tiffany Hartley and the family of the victim including a prayer and laying a flower close to the scene.
I want to thank Governor Rick Perry Zapata Sherriff Sigi Gonzales and Colonel Flores with Texas Parks and Wildlife for their extraordinary efforts in this matter and for what they do on the border where the Federal Government has failed to do so said Flynn after the visit.
In addition Representative Flynn viewed the new Fast Boat fleet of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and accompanied them on a patrol of the border region including Falcon Lake and the Gulf of Mexico. He also accompanied them by air for a patrol between Zapata and Brownsville which allowed him to gain a critical
perspective on the challenges and concerns of Game Wardens and other law enforcement agents on a daily basis.
Flynns position as Vice Chairman of the
House Committee on Borders and International Affairs and a Commander in the
Maritime Regiment of the Texas State Guard will provide him valuable insight on the serious nature of the violence of the Border.
I want to thank Colonel Flores for hosting this effort and all the Game Wardens of Texas who often work without backup or additional support for their courage bravery and amazing service to the state. They perform a wide variety of functions that make them uniquely suited to ensuring the safety and well being of Texans and I fully support their efforts Flynn said.
The trip was planned with particular emphasis on border security.
The overall goal of the trip was to prepare legislation for the coming 82nd Texas Legislation Session and to meet with Colonel Pete Flores
Texas Parks and Wildlife and his staff to have an informed understanding of the current challenges and violence on our international border.
