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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, April 2023 has been recognized by presidential |
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proclamation as Second Chance Month to honor those who have |
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successfully reentered society after being incarcerated and to pay |
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tribute to the community groups, faith-based organizations, and |
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employers that are helping to reduce recidivism among former |
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inmates; and |
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WHEREAS, Individuals who have been incarcerated face |
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significant barriers in returning to life outside of a detention |
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facility; those who have successfully made that transition are |
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worthy of recognition, not only because of the challenges they have |
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overcome but also because of the positive example they provide to |
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others who are walking the same path; and |
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WHEREAS, The State of Texas is home to many men and women who |
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have transcended their troubled pasts to become productive |
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citizens; among their numbers are Cynthia Simons and Justin |
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Martinez, who have dedicated themselves to assisting formerly |
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incarcerated Texans in rebuilding their lives; and |
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WHEREAS, Since her release from prison, Cynthia Simons has |
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become a champion for incarcerated women and their families and has |
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made a significant difference through her efforts as a peer leader |
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and reentry specialist; she has served as a member of the |
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Austin/Travis County Reentry Roundtable and of the board of |
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MEASURE, a Black-led organization that works to promote data equity |
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to address community policing as well as health, education, and |
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economic disparities; she is an advocate for the liberation of |
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Black people across the State of Texas, and she has played a pivotal |
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role in restoring parental rights to families torn apart by |
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incarceration; and |
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WHEREAS, After being incarcerated, Justin Martinez completed |
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his master's degree in legal studies with a paralegal |
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certification; he has since become a policy analyst, and through |
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his research and advocacy, he strives to dismantle systems of |
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oppression and to help Texans break the cycle of incarceration; and |
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WHEREAS, Many more individuals throughout our state have |
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likewise emerged from the criminal justice system to realize |
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meaningful goals in a broad range of endeavors, and their |
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experiences offer a moving testament to the human potential for |
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redemption; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas |
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Legislature hereby recognize April 2023 as Second Chance Month, |
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honor Cynthia Simons and Justin Martinez for their contributions as |
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activists for criminal justice reform and rehabilitation, and |
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commend those organizations and individuals who are assisting |
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former inmates in reintegrating into society. |
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J. Johnson of Harris |
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______________________________ |
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Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.R. No. 1176 was adopted by the House on April |
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25, 2023, by a non-record vote. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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