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.