News from The
Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum

   

Waco, Texas—The 79th Texas Legislature has approved funds to build a new headquarters for Texas Rangers Company ("F") and a Public Safety Education Center at the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum in Waco.

TheTexas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum is the official, State-designated historical center of the of the legendary law enforcement agency. The City of Waco was appointed its trustee in 1964. It has operated for 37 years in partnership with the Texas Rangers and Texas DPS.

The City of Waco, trustee of the hall of Fame and Museum, will provide land and continue its contribution of utilities and operational support in exchange for the honor of of hosting the State's largest Ranger company headquarters at the museum.

The $2.1 million project 8,700 square foot project is designed by Carter-Burgess of Fort Worth will provide two resources for the people of Texas:

Company "F" Headquarters—Texas Rangers Company "F" Headquarters will replace an obsolete office that has served almost 40 years. Company "F", the largest of six detachments of Rangers, conducts criminal investigations and assists local law enforcement in a 45 county area in Central Texas.

Rangers of Company "F" in 1997 with then Governor George W. Bush

Education Center—The multipurpose Public Safety Education Center will host youth and adult public safety programs through collaborations with State and regional law enforcement agencies. I will also provide space for in-service law enforcement training and exhibits on the current Texas Rangers and their mission.

Ranger Joe Hutson and Boy Scout Troop

R. William Warren, Chairman of the museum board, stated:

Texas Rangers Company "F" is the most important on-site educational resource of the Hall of Fame and Museum. They link the 182 year history of the Texas Rangers to the present. Securing a modern headquarters, and increasing our Public Safety educational resources, is the first priority of our Board.

Byron Johnson, Hall of Fame and Museum Director, expressed thanks to the legislators and citizens who supported the initiative.

We want to thank Senator Kip Averitt, Representative Charles "Doc" Anderson, Chairman Jim Pitts and Vice-Chair Vilma Luna of the House Appropriations Committee and Representative Jim Dunnam. Their sponsorship was instrumental in securing State partnership.

We are also grateful to the private donors who contributed funds, the citizens of Waco who provided land and financial support, our Board members and hundreds of Junior Texas Ranger youths who contributed to the project.