78R3280 MMS-D

By:  Goodman                                                      H.R. No. 23 



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, The 75th Legislature of the State of Texas created 
the Texas Juvenile Crime Prevention Center at Prairie View A&M 
University by the enactment of House Bill 1550 on June 19, 1997; and
	WHEREAS, The center's mandates encompass research into 
juvenile crime and delinquency, the dissemination of information, 
the establishment of degree and continuing education programs, the 
development of strategies to address juvenile crime, and 
collaboration with private, local, and state partners in combating 
such problems as drug use, youth violence, and gang-related 
activities; and
	WHEREAS, In fulfillment of its obligations, the center has 
sponsored, collected, and analyzed research in all areas related to 
juvenile crime and delinquency; it has published 60 journal 
articles, as well as books, government reports, and other 
resources, and prepared 60 presentations; to increase public 
awareness and facilitate access to information, it has also created 
a website with links to national databases on juvenile issues; and
	WHEREAS, The center has instituted at Prairie View the first 
doctoral program in the nation focused on juvenile justice; in 
addition, it has established a master's degree in juvenile justice, 
a master's degree in juvenile forensic psychology, a specialization 
in juvenile justice at the undergraduate level, and a certification 
program for those planning to become juvenile probation officers; 
moreover, it has organized in-service training activities for 
criminal justice and social service professionals; and
	WHEREAS, Other accomplishments include the implementation of 
juvenile crime prevention programs in Houston, Waller, and 
Hempstead, engagement in 33 partnerships with public and private 
entities to reduce juvenile crime and delinquency in Texas, and 
participation in 10 cooperative agreements with state and federal 
agencies; and
	WHEREAS, In meeting the further charge contained in House 
Bill 1118, passed by the 77th Texas Legislature in 2001, the center 
has completed a preliminary report on minority overrepresentation 
in the juvenile justice system and on female offending in three 
rural counties; in addition, it has designed a statewide study of 
female offending, sex offending, and minority overrepresentation; 
and
	WHEREAS, The Texas Juvenile Crime Prevention Center is 
undertaking comprehensive, multifaceted efforts to confront youth 
crime and its devastating effects; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 78th Texas 
Legislature hereby congratulate the Texas Juvenile Crime 
Prevention Center on the occasion of its fifth anniversary and 
extend to all those associated with it sincere best wishes for 
continued success; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for the staff of the Texas Juvenile Crime Prevention 
Center as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of 
Representatives.