78R11257 MW-D

By:  Kolkhorst                                                    H.R. No. 833



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, May 4-10, 2003, is National Correctional Officers 
and Employees Week, and this occasion provides an opportunity to 
recognize the tremendous courage and dedication to duty required of 
the Texas correctional officers who protect the public from our 
state's criminal population; and
	WHEREAS, Texas correctional officers and employees, who 
consistently uphold rigorous standards of professionalism while 
performing their dangerous but crucial work, are essential to 
maintaining the vital operations of the Texas Department of 
Criminal Justice, which manages one of the nation's largest prison 
systems and currently houses more than 150,000 offenders; and
	WHEREAS, Representing Texas correctional officers, the 
American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, is 
dedicated to working with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice 
to enhance safety for the valorous men and women who work long hours 
under extremely difficult and stressful conditions to keep the 
state's most violent offenders behind bars and its citizens out of 
harm's way; and
	WHEREAS, Texas correctional officers and employees perform 
their jobs with admirable surety and skill, and they are deserving 
of the highest respect and gratitude of their fellow Texans; now, 
therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 78th Texas 
Legislature hereby recognize Texas correctional officers during 
National Correctional Officers and Employees Week and pay tribute 
to these exemplary public employees for their contributions to the 
Lone Star State.