H.C.R. No. 203
                              HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
    1-1        WHEREAS, Municipal courts provide citizens of Texas cities,
    1-2  towns, and villages a local forum where questions of law and fact
    1-3  can be resolved with respect to alleged violations of state law and
    1-4  transgressions against municipal ordinances; and
    1-5        WHEREAS, Because municipal courts are the courts most
    1-6  routinely experienced by Texans, both adults and juveniles, they
    1-7  could be said to constitute the arm of government that is closest
    1-8  to the greatest number of people; and
    1-9        WHEREAS, Judges of the municipal courts function also as
   1-10  magistrates for the State of Texas, and in so doing perform
   1-11  functions including conducting inquests, issuing search and arrest
   1-12  warrants, giving magistrate warnings, and setting bail for offenses
   1-13  ranging from petty theft to capital murder; and
   1-14        WHEREAS, Recognizing the need for continuing education for
   1-15  members of their ranks, whether attorneys or nonattorneys,
   1-16  municipal court judges have established judicial training programs
   1-17  that enabled over 1,000 municipal court judges in 1994 to attend
   1-18  advanced courses at various sites throughout the state; and
   1-19        WHEREAS, These magistrates serve a special function in
   1-20  promoting the orderly governance of daily affairs, and legislators
   1-21  join other Texans in commending them for their efforts and for the
   1-22  integrity they bring to the field and practice of public service;
   1-23  now, therefore, be it
   1-24        RESOLVED, That the 74th Legislature of the State of Texas,
    2-1  hereby recognize the importance of and the significant
    2-2  contributions made by municipal courts to the citizens of Texas and
    2-3  designate August 7-13, 1995, as Municipal Courts Week in Texas.