78R17601 KMP-D

By:  Alonzo                                                       H.R. No. 107



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, Many Mexican nationals reside in Texas who do not 
possess a form of identification issued by a United States federal 
or state agency and consequently lack access to important public 
services; and
	WHEREAS, Cities and counties in Texas waste hundreds of 
thousands of dollars annually on police processing time for 
immigrants without proper identification; moreover, many 
immigrants are fearful of reporting crimes to the police because of 
this absence of recognized credentials; and
	WHEREAS, In 47 cities across the nation, including several in 
the Lone Star State, the Mexican Consulate, or El Consulado General 
de Mexico, issues identification cards to Mexican nationals who 
have a birth certificate and who have been residing in the United 
States for at least six months; and
	WHEREAS, The use of this identification card, also known as 
Matricula Consular, helps Mexican nationals who reside in Texas to 
establish their identities, saving bureaucratic time and costs; and
	WHEREAS, The Mexican Consulate offices in Texas, 
particularly those in Dallas and Austin, have worked in close 
partnership with local officials to promote the recognition of 
these cards as valid  forms of identification; through their 
efforts, the Matricula Consular is now accepted in Austin, 
Brownsville, Crystal City, San Antonio, San Marcos, and Cameron 
County, and police departments in cities including Arlington, 
Austin, Brownsville, Dallas, Eagle Pass, Fort Worth, and Houston 
separately accept the card pursuant to governmental policies; and
	WHEREAS, Widespread acceptance of the card will enable 
Mexican nationals who reside in Texas to more easily apply for water 
and power services, obtain library cards and copies of medical 
records, participate in local government programs, visit public 
buildings, attend governmental meetings, and meet with elected 
officials; and
	WHEREAS, El Consulado General de Mexico works to develop more 
secure, efficient, and cost-effective ways to provide services to 
many thousands of Mexican citizens living abroad, and the success 
of the Matricula Consular program is a testament to the cooperation 
and hard work shown by the outstanding men and women who work in 
Mexican Consulate offices in Texas; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 78th Texas 
Legislature hereby commend the officers and employees of the 
Mexican Consulate offices in Texas for their support and exemplary 
administration of the Matricula Consular identification card 
program; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for the Mexican ambassador to the United States as an 
expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives.