By Hinojosa H.R. No. 1441 77R18218 MJS-F R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The Texas chapter of the American Civil Liberties 1-2 Union, the Texas chapter of the National Council of La Raza, the 1-3 Texas chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of 1-4 Colored People, the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education 1-5 Fund, and the League of United Latin American Citizens have 1-6 organized to advance and defend the interests of Texas' citizens; 1-7 and 1-8 WHEREAS, These organizations have worked tirelessly to 1-9 promote the cause of interethnic accommodation and racial harmony; 1-10 and 1-11 WHEREAS, They have passionately advocated the advancement of 1-12 civil rights and have vigorously pursued the enactment of 1-13 protections against undue encroachment on individual liberties; and 1-14 WHEREAS, They have used their considerable collective 1-15 intelligence, passion, dedication, and vision to ensure that all 1-16 persons receive equal protection under the law; and 1-17 WHEREAS, They have successfully advanced these goals through 1-18 legislation that manifests these noble ideals; and 1-19 WHEREAS, Such legislation includes prohibiting racial 1-20 profiling, banning the execution of the mentally retarded, 1-21 providing an adequate defense to indigent defendants, prohibiting 1-22 the use of race as a predictor of future danger to society, 1-23 requiring the corroboration of informants' testimony in 1-24 drug-related criminal trials and other police accountability 2-1 measures, asset forfeiture reform, providing access to DNA evidence 2-2 that could exonerate the falsely accused, government openness 2-3 initiatives, and harsher penalties for those convicted of hate 2-4 crimes; now, therefore, be it 2-5 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas 2-6 Legislature hereby heartily commend these groups for their valiant 2-7 efforts on behalf of racial harmony, individual liberties, and 2-8 civil rights in Texas; and, be it further 2-9 RESOLVED, That appreciation be extended to these groups and 2-10 that they be urged to continue their collaborative efforts to 2-11 implement and make manifest the noble ideals embodied in the 2-12 constitutions of both Texas and the United States of America; and, 2-13 be it further 2-14 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-15 prepared for the organizations as an expression of high regard by 2-16 the Texas House of Representatives.