By Rosson S.C.R. No. 96
74R3187 JDB-D
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
1-1 WHEREAS, The increased participation of women in the Texas
1-2 legal system has helped highlight issues of gender bias and
1-3 discrimination that are interwoven into the traditional practice of
1-4 law in Texas; and
1-5 WHEREAS, The Supreme Court of Texas established a task force
1-6 to study gender bias in the Texas legal system, to determine the
1-7 nature and extent of such bias, and to propose measures for its
1-8 reduction and ultimate elimination; and
1-9 WHEREAS, After extensive study, including surveys,
1-10 interviews, and hearings, the task force determined that gender
1-11 bias exists in the Texas legal system; and
1-12 WHEREAS, The task force has recommended that faculty of Texas
1-13 law schools be encouraged to include in their courses consideration
1-14 of issues of gender bias; and
1-15 WHEREAS, Law school courses not only teach the precedents of
1-16 common law and the interpretation of statutory mandates, but also
1-17 provide an opportunity for formal discussion of issues that may
1-18 result in new legal considerations; and
1-19 WHEREAS, Texas law schools train the state's future judges,
1-20 legislators, and legal advocates whose early legal education forms
1-21 the basis for just adjudication and legislation affecting Texas
1-22 society; now, therefore, be it
1-23 RESOLVED, That the 74th Legislature of the State of Texas
1-24 hereby encourage all Texas law schools to offer courses devoted
2-1 primarily to examination of issues involving gender bias and
2-2 include in all courses relevant issues of gender bias; and, be it
2-3 further
2-4 RESOLVED, That the secretary of state forward an official
2-5 copy of this resolution to the dean of each law school in Texas.