WHEREAS, the League of United Latin American Citizens supports the purpose of fostering and enlarging the opportunities for training, education, civil rights, job opportunities, housing, economic development and welfare of all Hispanics in the United States;

WHEREAS, Luis Torres was visiting a brother in Baytown on January 2002, in route to Kansas City after his Christmas vacation with his family in Mexico. He became ill and required medical attention.

WHEREAS, expert criminologists have concluded that Luis Torres, 45, died on Jan. 20th, as a result of excessive force, George L. Kirkham, a criminologist who reviewed the autopsy report and a videotape of the arrest that led to the death of Luis Alfonso Torres has concluded that Baytown police used excessive force. Kirkham reported that he saw no justification for the "leg sweep" that police used to knock Torres to the ground to handcuff him, because he was not armed and did not pose a threat said Kirkham. (Houston Chronicle, April 30, 2002)

WHEREAS, the Harris County medical examiner ruled Luis Torres' death a homicide resulting from mechanical asphyxiation, or compression of his airways. The medical examiner was quoted, "This is not an 'accidental' ruling," said Carter. "It is our medical opinion that someone is responsible here for another person's death. But that does not mean the courts or grand jury will agree with us."

WHEREAS, the Baytown Police Chief and members of city council (except councilman Mercedes Renteria, & Scott Sheley) maintain a position of denial of wrong doing by the police officers involved in the Luis Torres case. The same councilmen and mayor were insensitive and ignored the pleas of a large segment of the Baytown citizens/residences in the selection of a police chief.

WHEREAS, after Luis Torres' death while in the custody of the Baytown Police Department, allegations of excessive force against the Baytown Police Department have surfaced, community protests, rallies and public forums have taken place in Houston and Baytown.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that LULAC proclaim the city Baytown, Texas police department as "one of the most unfriendly and feared cities in Texas toward minorities."

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the LULAC National President contact the US Attorney General and the Leaders of the US Senate to request a full investigation into the death of Luis Torres, complaints of police intimidation, excessive force, and the preselection of a police chief by the City of Baytown.

Submitted by District XV111.

Approved this 29th day of June, 2002.

Hector M. Flores
LULAC National President