Rep. Tom Moore Jr. (1918–2017) of the Texas House of Representatives was dismayed at how often his legislative colleagues in the Texas House of Representatives passed bills without reading and understanding them. For an April Fools’ Day prank in 1971, he sponsored this resolution honoring Albert de Salvo:
This compassionate gentleman’s dedication and devotion to his work has enabled the weak and the lonely throughout the nation to achieve and maintain a new degree of concern for their future. He has been officially recognized by the state of Massachusetts for his noted activities and unconventional techniques involving population control and applied psychology.
The resolution passed unanimously.
Albert de Salvo was actually the Massachusetts serial killer known as the “Boston Strangler.”
Having made his point, Rep. Moore withdrew the resolution.
Idea for Impact: Don’t endorse anything you haven’t read and understood thoroughly. Abstention, even denial, is much preferable to a blind aye!