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Texas House Resolution No. 740

R E S O L U T I O N

WHEREAS, The tragic death of Mark Alan Wilson of Tyler on
February 24, 2005, at the age of 52, has brought a profound loss to
his many friends and loved ones; and
WHEREAS, With instinctive courage and selfless resolve, this
valorous Texan confronted a gunman on the steps of the Smith County
Courthouse; reacting to the kind of inhuman crisis that compels
ordinary men to seek cover or flee, Mark Wilson proved to be an
extraordinary man; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Wilson confronted a lethal threat in order to
protect the people of his community, and in his valiant attempt to
save the lives of others, he risked his own safety; and
WHEREAS, The magnitude of the sacrifice that ended his life
all too prematurely is in keeping with the character that was
evident to all who knew him; an active member of the Tyler
community, he used his time on earth to the fullest; and
WHEREAS, Born on January 20, 1953, in Dallas, Mr. Wilson
graduated from MacArthur High School in 1971 and went on to serve
his country with distinction in the U.S. Navy; after his discharge
from the military, this avid sportsman worked as a racquetball
instructor and embraced his entrepreneurial spirit, opening
Tyler's On Target Shooting Range in 1997; and
WHEREAS, A dedicated volunteer, he committed his talents to
help raise money for nonprofit organizations and lent his time to
Heart of Tyler/Main Street projects, including the Texas Blues
Festival and Festival on the Square; and
WHEREAS, Mark Wilson was a true hero, and his example reminds
us that the very best elements of human nature can emerge in the
midst of the chaos and violence that threaten our society; though
this brave man will be missed, his legacy will continue to inspire
all who are privileged to know of him; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas
Legislature hereby pay special tribute to the life of Mark Alan
Wilson of Tyler and extend deepest sympathy to the members of his
family: to his parents, Alex and Lynn Stewart; to his sisters,
Melody and Holly Wilson; to his nieces, Katie and Kristen DeFazio;
and to his other relatives and many friends; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of
Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Mark Alan
Wilson.

Berman

______________________________
Speaker of the House

I certify that H.R. No. 740 was unanimously adopted
by arising vote of the House on March 31, 2005.

______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House

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Many of us have NOT forgotten what Mark Wilson did that day.

Quote: "He's a hero."

Yep, when the topic came up briefly at my DPS CHL instructor re-nu-skul last Sept., Sgt. Riddle got a little misty-eyed and thought so too.

The Wife had TV on basketball game and I did not get swithced in time to catch the Dallas TV coverage at 10:00, :( , but I did find this:

Mark Allen Wilson, 52

No one who knew Mark Allen Wilson is surprised by his sacrifice.

John O'Sullivan, who owned the downtown building where Mark Wilson lived, said Wilson was a good friend.

"He didn't shy away from danger," O'Sullivan said. "He always jumped into things."

He said Wilson's response to the rampage was "typical Mark Wilson."

Wilson opened an indoor gun range in Tyler, On-Target, in 1997. It was a facility focused on self-defense, say people who knew him.

Tyler cardiologist Dr. Scott Lieberman, Wilson's friend and former business associate, said Wilson was a "fundamental believer in self-defense and protection."

"He was demonstrating that today," Lieberman said. "He had a strong sense of honor and protection."

That sense of protection extended to the entire downtown area, Wilson's friends say.

"He was a downtown fixture, having been there for so long," said one neighbor, Billy Boone. "He looked out for everyone else's place. If something looked wrong or out of place, he'd check on it."

Wilson's apartment looked directly onto the courthouse, Boone added.

"He had a bird's-eye view of what was happening," Boone said. "I imagine he saw it and immediately reacted. That's the kind of guy he was."

Mark Anderson, a friend, agreed. "It was a very heroic thing for him to do. But he lost his life in the process."

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This and related stories at http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?brd= ... _ID=226369

Note body in photo near fire hydrant ... attempted to use for cover?

RIP, Mr. Wilson. Prayers for friends and family.