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History-making Texans

President George W. Bush speaks afte being awarded a History Making Texan Award during the Texas Independence Day Dinner at the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum on Tuesday March 2, 2010.

President George W. Bush speaks accepts a History-Making Texan Award from the Texas State History Museum Foundation at the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum on Tuesday March 2, 2010. Photo by Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

Laura Bush is congratulated after being awarded a History Making Texan Award from Jan Bulllock during the Texas Independence Day Dinner at the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum on Tuesday March 2, 2010.

Former first lady Laura Bush is congratulated after accepting a History-Making Texan Award. Photo by Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

Survivior Reunited With Those That Saved His Life

Andrew Elam was visiting Austin on business last week from his home in Kansas City, Missouri when a walk across the Ann Richards Congress Ave bridge to his conference was the last thing he remembered. He collapsed on the sidewalk with a heart attack and was revived by a good samaratin, an Austin police officer on routine patrol and an off-duty Lieutenant with the Austin fire department. All combined to save his life and all were reunited for the first time since the accident at University Medical Center Brackenridge Tuesday afternoon. Elam, right, embraces police officer Kevin Kelly who had an Automated External Defibrillator in his patrol car and stopped to assist him.

From L-R: Lt. Randy Denzer, fire dept, Fred McGhee, citizen to first administer CPR, Elam, Cardiologist Dr. David Hayes, Emergency Room Dr. Sheldon Rockwood, and police officer Kevin Kelly all were responsible in saving Elam's life. They all laugh as Elam says "I guess I'm a Texan now."

Elam tears up at the sounds of the 911 call that saved his life. He remembers nothing of the incident, but refers to that day as his rebirth.

Photos by Ralph Barrera/Austin American-Statesman

Gay Community Marches to Show Support for Beating Victims

The gay community held an Austin March Against Hate rally through the warehouse district in downtown to show their support for two gay men who were ambushed last weekend in the City Hall parking garage and beaten by four men yelling anti-gay slurs at them. City and state officials vowed their support in speeches at the City Hall Plaza Saturday afternoon. The men, Emmanuel Winston and Matt Morgan, center left and right, are softball players on the Shady Ladies gay team.

Photo by Ralph Barrera/Austin American-Statesman

Friends of the Cactus Cafe

David Garza, left, and Scrappy Jud Newcomb perform at a rally to save the Cactus Cafe on the west mall on the UT campus on Friday Feb. 26, 2010.

David Garza, left, and Scrappy Jud Newcomb perform at a rally on the University of Texas campus to save the Cactus Cafe on Friday Feb. 26, 2010. University officials are planning big changes for the iconic live music venue. Photo by Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

Jungmann shuts out Stanford

University of Texas starting pitcher Taylor Jungmann delivers against Stanford in the first inning at Disch-Falk Field on Friday Feb. 26, 2010.  Jungmann went seven innings, struck out 10 and picked up his second win of the season.  Photo by Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

University of Texas starting pitcher Taylor Jungmann delivers against Stanford in the first inning at Disch-Falk Field on Friday Feb. 26, 2010. Jungmann went seven innings, struck out 10 and picked up his second win of the season. Photo by Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

Vernon Hunter, Victim in IRS Building Plane Crash, Laid to Rest

Vernon Hunter, the lone victim in the fiery plane crash at the IRS building in Austin last week, was laid to rest at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen, TX. Friday afternoon with a military honor guard. Wife Valerie Hunter, in background, watches as her husband's casket is removed from the caison during the ceremony by members of the Ft., Hood First Air Cavalry Brigade serving as the honor guard.

A Ft. Hood honor guard carries the casket of Hunter, a military veteran, to its resting place for the ceremony.

Wife Valerie Hunter receives the American flag from a member of the Ft., Hood First Air Cavalry Brigade serving as the honor guard for the ceremony. Mrs. Hunter is flanked by church member and friend Jackie McDonald, right, for support.

Family member Judy Arnold-Hunter sings a song about faith near the closing of the ceremony.

Daughter Christine Hunter , facing, gets emotional after the ceremony as she is hugged by friend Linette Liendo, who served as her father's secretary for three years in the IRS building. "He was like a father to me." said Liendo.

Cemetery in Killeen, TX. Friday afternoon with a military honor guard. Walt Conlin, from Cedar Park, TX., and a member of the Patriot Guard, a motorcycle group made up of military veterans who escort the casket to its final resting palce, pays tribute to a fallen soldier.

Members of the Patriot Guard, a motorcycle group made up of military veterans like Eric Treland, left, and George Hendershot, right, line the service site with flags as they pay tribute to a fallen soldier.

Photos by Ralph Barrera/Austin American-Statesman

Candlelight Vigil for IRS Crash Site Victims

About 30 people gathered for a candle light vigil in front of the Echelon I building site of last week’s plane crash. The small crowd gathered on the lawn of the Gateway shopping center to offer condolences to both families who suffered lost ones and to those still dealing with the trauma and terror of the incident. Ricardo Guerrero and Ginny DiMario try to light their candles in the wind as the burned out shell of the building is in the background.

From left, Lani Rosales, Charles and Kim Hollenshead, Ricardo Guerrero and Ginny DiMario light their candles in the wind. A closeup of Guerrero's hands keeping warm by the candlelight, and DiMario trying to keep her flame alive.

Federal authorities concluded their investigation and released the building to its owner, however the fromntage road remains closed to traffic as engineers determine the safety of the structure.

Photos by Ralph Barrera/Austin American-Statesman