By: Cuellar, H. H.R. No. 686 73R10510 LBD-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The Texas House of Representatives is proud to honor 1-2 Sheriff Juan Garza for 22 years of distinguished service in the 1-3 protection of the lives and property of the citizens of this great 1-4 state; and 1-5 WHEREAS, This fine officer served his country with 1-6 distinction in the United States Navy in Vietnam and went on to 1-7 actively pursue a career in the law enforcement profession, 1-8 graduating from Laredo State University in 1979 with a bachelor of 1-9 science degree in criminal justice; and 1-10 WHEREAS, Displaying a sincere desire to improve the quality 1-11 of life in the communities he has served, Sheriff Garza has 1-12 initiated and sponsored many worthwhile programs over the years, 1-13 including the first crime prevention unit in Laredo and the Laredo 1-14 Crimestoppers program, and he organized sheriffs from the entire 1-15 South Texas region to provide the area with a voice that could be 1-16 heard statewide; and 1-17 WHEREAS, Sheriff Garza's experience in many areas of law 1-18 enforcement includes having served for three years in the 1-19 Dallas/Fort Worth area with the K-9 unit and air piracy division 1-20 and as a member of the Laredo Police Department for 16 years in 1-21 such varied capacities as crime prevention director and 1-22 Crimestoppers program coordinator; and 1-23 WHEREAS, In his current post as the sheriff of Webb County, 1-24 this dynamic individual oversees nine different departments and is 2-1 responsible for the preparation of a $10 million budget; and 2-2 WHEREAS, In addition, Sheriff Garza shares his valuable 2-3 knowledge and expertise with others aspiring to serve in the field 2-4 through his service as a law enforcement instructor at Laredo 2-5 Junior College; he also is a popular presenter at various police 2-6 management seminars, a defensive driving instructor, a crime 2-7 prevention inspector, and an enforcement officer for licensing 2-8 standards and education; and 2-9 WHEREAS, Throughout his exemplary tenure with the Laredo 2-10 Police Department, he was honored on many occasions for his 2-11 outstanding service to the community, receiving a number of awards 2-12 for his bravery in risking his life for the safety and protection 2-13 of others; and 2-14 WHEREAS, Despite the demands of his current office, Sheriff 2-15 Garza also manages to find the time to maintain an active 2-16 membership in the Laredo Evening Lions Club, the American Heart 2-17 Association, the Scan Program of Laredo, the United Way, and the 2-18 Boys and Girls Club of Laredo; and 2-19 WHEREAS, The citizens of Webb County have benefitted 2-20 tremendously from the distinguished service of Sheriff Garza, and 2-21 he is truly worthy of special legislative recognition for his 2-22 notable achievements and remarkable record of service; now, 2-23 therefore, be it 2-24 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 73rd Texas 2-25 Legislature hereby commend Sheriff Juan Garza for his many 2-26 significant contributions to the field of law enforcement in Texas; 2-27 and, be it further 3-1 RESOLVED, Than an official copy of this resolution be 3-2 prepared for Sheriff Garza as an expression of esteem by the Texas 3-3 House of Representatives.