Texas lawmaker pranked colleagues to pass bill honoring Boston Strangler on April 1, 1971

FILE - In this Feb. 25, 1967 file photo self-confessed Boston Strangler Albert DeSalvo is seen minutes after his capture in Boston. Authorities say DNA tests on the remains of DeSalvo confirm he killed Mary Sullivan, the woman believed to be the serial killer's last victim. DeSalvo admitted to killing Sullivan and 10 other women in the Boston area between 1962 and 1964 but later recanted. He was later killed in prison. (AP Photo, File) less FILE - In this Feb. 25, 1967 file photo self-confessed Boston Strangler Albert DeSalvo is seen minutes after his capture in Boston. Authorities say DNA tests on the remains of DeSalvo confirm he killed Mary ... more Photo: Uncredited, Associated Press Photo: Uncredited, Associated Press Image 1 of / 39 Caption Close Texas lawmaker pranked colleagues to pass bill honoring Boston Strangler on April 1, 1971 1 / 39 Back to Gallery

A Texas lawmaker won April Fool's Day in 1971 by conning his colleagues in the state House to pass a resolution that officially honored the Boston Strangler for his "unconventional techniques involving population control."

The resolution, authored by state Rep. Tom Moore, a Waco Democrat, was partly meant to be an April Fool's prank but, as most resolutions that are typically ceremonial and frequently honor visiting constituents, was not read thoroughly by the lawmakers who unanimously voted to approve it, Moore told the Associated Press in 2009.

The resolution did not use the moniker "Boston Strangler," but rather included the infamous serial killer's first name, Albert DeSalvo.

"The Honorable Albert De Salvo has unselfishly served his country, his state, and his community," the resolution begins. "His sincerity diligence, and cooperation has earned him the warm admiration and affection of his fellow practicioners."

The urban legend around the Texas Legislature is that Moore was trying to "make a point that lawmakers routinely vote for measures without doing their homework and have no idea what they are," but Moore said it was simply an April Fool's joke, according to the Associated Press.

“Yes, it passed, but nobody got mad. It was an April Fool’s joke, but it made the press in a different light,” he told the AP.

The resolution concludes: "The House of Representatives of the 62nd Legislature of the State of Texas commend Albert DeSalvo on his outstanding career of public service."

Snopes, a myth busting website, reports that Moore immediately withdrew the resolution, which would have had no binding legal effect.

The gag got worldwide media attention from as far away as London and South Africa, Moore told the agency. Dan Rowan and Dick Martin gave it the Flying Fickle Finger of Fate Award on their TV show “Laugh In.”

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