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S.C.R. No. 20
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The Legislature of the State of Texas takes pleasure
in recognizing the Texas Juvenile Justice System and in declaring
April 19 Texas Juvenile Justice Day 2005; 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 comprised 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 2003, the juvenile-age
population has increased 20 percent; however, referrals of youths
to the justice system decreased by 20 percent, arrests decreased by
20 percent, violent felony offenses decreased by 27 percent, and
the total number of juveniles certified as adults decreased by 77
percent; 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 2,880 certified juvenile probation
officers and 4,106 certified detention officers; and
WHEREAS, 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 79th 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 2005; 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. 20 was adopted by the Senate
on April 19, 2005.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
I hereby certify that S.C.R. No. 20 was adopted by the House
on April 29, 2005.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
Approved:
______________________________
Date
______________________________
Governor