TITLE: Honoring Alana Danielle Smith of Houston for her role in foiling a burglary attempt.

SUMMARY: Honoring Alana Danielle Smith of Houston for her role in foiling a burglary attempt.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, Alana Danielle Smith of Houston demonstrated noteworthy courage and presence of mind when she intervened to foil a burglary attempt; and WHEREAS, On June 20, 2014, Alana Smith was driving her father, Dr. Kevin Smith, home from the airport, when the two encountered an unfamiliar truck in his driveway; the occupants sped away, suggesting that they had burglarized the house; without hesitation, Ms. Smith made the decision to give chase in order to track the suspects' whereabouts for the police; and WHEREAS, After Ms. Smith followed the vehicle for close to half an hour through neighborhoods and freeways, the suspects suddenly retaliated by shifting their truck into reverse and ramming the car driven by Ms. Smith; the situation went on to escalate even further, as the suspects spun their truck around and struck her vehicle head-on with a force of approximately 60 miles per hour; anticipating the impact, Ms. Smith was able to prevent her car from rolling over as it landed safely in a nearby ditch, while the suspects' truck also lost control and crashed into the same ditch 20 yards away; one suspect fled on foot, and police soon arrived and apprehended the two who remained; the Smiths later recovered their stolen possessions; and WHEREAS, The strong sense of justice that Ms. Smith exhibited that day is also evident in her choice to pursue her studies at South Texas College of Law, where she is currently a first-year law student; Dr. Smith, a Houston-based physician and plastic surgeon, takes great pride in his daughter, whose natural response to an emergency was to stand up for what she believes is right; and WHEREAS, Alana Smith's brave actions helped to apprehend two criminals and to enhance public safety in her community, and she has earned the well-deserved admiration of many people; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas Legislature hereby commend Alana Danielle Smith for her quick thinking and composure in a perilous situation and extend to this notable young woman and her family sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for Ms. Smith as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Miles Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 865 was adopted by the House on March 12, 2015, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House