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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Jo Anne Bernal is concluding her service as El Paso |
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County attorney at the end of her term on December 31, 2024, drawing |
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to a close an exemplary tenure; and |
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WHEREAS, Ms. Bernal was appointed El Paso County attorney by |
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the commissioners court in 2009, becoming the first woman in the |
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county's history to hold the position; since that time, she has |
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worked to uphold the mission of her office by providing |
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high-quality legal services in an ethical, professional, and |
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capable manner; she has provided invaluable legal advice to the |
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county regarding significant issues, such as the COVID-19 pandemic |
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and the migrant crisis, and she also expanded protective order |
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services for victims of stalking and bullying; moreover, she |
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created the Nuisance Abatement Team that uses court orders to help |
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tackle repeat criminal activity in certain areas; in addition to |
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handling complex litigation, she oversees more than 100 employees |
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and manages an annual budget of $7.5 million; and |
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WHEREAS, Born and raised in El Paso, Ms. Bernal earned her |
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law degree at The University of Texas at Austin and served with the |
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Texas Attorney General's Office for six years prior to joining the |
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El Paso County Attorney's Office in 1993; she is board certified in |
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civil trial law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, and she |
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has been recognized for her many professional accomplishments with |
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the Outstanding Lawyer of the Year Award from the Mexican-American |
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Bar Association and the Outstanding Young Lawyer of El Paso Award |
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from the El Paso Young Lawyers Association; she has also given back |
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to the greater community by sharing her time with numerous worthy |
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organizations, including the Advocacy Center for the Children of El |
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Paso and the Opportunity Center for the Homeless; and |
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WHEREAS, Jo Anne Bernal's skill and dedication have greatly |
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benefited the citizens of El Paso County, and she has earned the |
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admiration and appreciation of her fellow Texans; now, therefore, |
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be it |
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RESOLVED, That the Senate of the 88th Texas Legislature |
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hereby commend Jo Anne Bernal for her service as El Paso County |
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attorney and extend to her sincere best wishes for the future; and, |
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be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for Ms. Bernal as an expression of high regard by the Texas |
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Senate. |