S.C.R. No. 15 




SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
	WHEREAS, The Legislature of the State of Texas takes pleasure 
in recognizing the Texas Juvenile Justice System and in declaring 
February 27 Texas Juvenile Justice Day 2003; and
	WHEREAS, The State of Texas and county governments are 
partners in providing one of the most progressive juvenile justice 
systems in the nation; and
	WHEREAS, The Texas Juvenile Justice System is composed of 169 
community-based probation departments, which serve youths and 
families in all 254 counties in the state; the Texas Juvenile 
Probation Commission, which provides oversight for the probation 
departments; and the Texas Youth Commission, which provides 
institutional programs and services to high-risk juvenile 
offenders; and
	WHEREAS, The Texas Legislature extensively studied and 
analyzed the juvenile justice system and in 1995 made sweeping 
reforms that provided for greater accountability for offenders, 
broader options for the prosecution of juvenile offenders, 
increased public safety, focused prevention and early intervention 
programs, and increased funding for the entire juvenile justice 
system; and
	WHEREAS, With increased resources and guidelines, juvenile 
justice system professionals are able to make a positive  
difference in the lives of many troubled Texas youths and their 
families; and
	WHEREAS, The reforms that began in 1995 have produced 
dramatic results; between 1995 and 2001, the juvenile-age 
population has increased 15.2 percent; however, referrals of youths 
to the juvenile justice system decreased by 15.4 percent, arrests 
decreased by 21.4 percent, violent arrests decreased by 41.3 
percent, and referrals to the Texas Youth Commission decreased 
significantly; and
	WHEREAS, Statistics show that the State of Texas has avoided 
millions of dollars in correctional costs because of the effective 
use of probation services and rehabilitative programs that reduce 
the number of referrals to the juvenile justice system; and
	WHEREAS, The juvenile probation departments handle 98 
percent of the referrals of youths to the juvenile justice system 
each year through the efforts of 2,502 certified juvenile probation 
officers, 2,695 certified detention officers, and 1,951 certified 
corrections officers; and
	WHEREAS, The dedicated probation, detention, and corrections 
officers are represented by the Juvenile Justice Association of 
Texas, whose mission is to promote advocacy for Texas children by 
providing quality juvenile services through professional 
development, leadership, education, and training; and
	WHEREAS, The persons who enter the field of juvenile justice 
accept a great responsibility to the youths and families of Texas; 
they work tirelessly and courageously to rehabilitate the lives of 
troubled youths and maintain the security and safety of our state's 
communities; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the 78th Legislature of the State of Texas 
hereby commend the outstanding professionals of our juvenile 
justice system for their vital contributions to the citizens of 
this state and extend sincere appreciation to them on Texas 
Juvenile Justice Day 2003; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be prepared in their 
honor and as an expression of high regard from the Texas 
Legislature.






______________________________    ______________________________
President of the Senate             Speaker of the House
	I hereby certify that S.C.R. No. 15 was adopted by the Senate 
on February 17, 2003.




______________________________ 
   Secretary of the Senate             
	I hereby certify that S.C.R. No. 15 was adopted by the House 
on February 17, 2003.




______________________________ 
   Chief Clerk of the House            



Approved:


______________________________ 
            Date



______________________________ 
          Governor