81R32852 MG-F

By: McReynolds H.R. No. 2406

R E S O L U T I O N

WHEREAS, The Texas House of Representatives is pleased to recognize the directors and employees of the Community Supervision and Corrections Department (CSCD) for their outstanding service to the Lone Star State; and

WHEREAS, With locations throughout Texas, the CSCD is responsible for providing community supervision or adult probation services to hundreds of thousands of individuals, and it offers numerous programs that are designed to change individual behavior and help protect the community; and

WHEREAS, The agency's directors, along with their teams, tirelessly manage all aspects of the adult probation departments within their jurisdictions, aim to improve lives through the use of best practices, and encourage individuals assigned to community supervision to take positive steps toward enhancing their quality of life; and

WHEREAS, The committed individuals who have contributed immeasurably to the successful reintegration of formerly incarcerated individuals into the community include: Paul Becker, director of Harris County CSCD; Stephen L. Enders, director of West Texas CSCD; George Hernandez, director of Caldwell County CSCD; Steven T. Henderson, director of Lubbock/Crosby Counties CSCD; Leighton Iles, director of Fort Bend County CSCD; Todd Jermstad, interim director of Bell County CSCD; Dr. Geraldine Nagy, director of Travis County CSCD; Dr. Michael E. Noyes, director of Dallas County CSCD; Tom Plumlee, director of Tarrant County CSCD; Jim Stott, director of Jefferson County CSCD; and Rodney J. Thompson, director of Angelina County CSCD, as well as many other caring and hardworking employees; and

WHEREAS, Paul Becker has worked diligently with state legislators to advocate for stronger probation departments on behalf of the entire field of community corrections; Mr. Becker has also made much-needed improvements to the Harris County CSCD with his knowledge of treatment programs and team building; and

WHEREAS, Stephen L. Enders has brought progressive and innovative programming to adult probation in El Paso for more than 35 years; he has implemented and administered many smart-on-crime community corrections programs in the area, including an adult probation learning center, a treatment alternative to incarceration program, and victim services; moreover, Mr. Enders has presented fresh, evidence-based ways of management, and he is the chair of the Probation Advisory Committee (PAC) and a member of the Texas Probation Association (TPA) and the Texas Corrections Association; and

WHEREAS, George Hernandez is retiring at the end of August 2009, after a long and admirable career marked by dedication and service to community corrections; he has devoted numerous hours as an advocate for recruiting and retaining quality officers, and he has passionately represented the interests of the Central Texas regional chiefs as a member of the Probation Advisory Committee and as the current co-chair of the TPA Adult Legislative Committee; and

WHEREAS, Steven T. Henderson has contributed to the field of community supervision for more than two decades with his impeccable work ethic and extensive knowledge about those programs and supervision strategies that have been proven beneficial to the community; Mr. Henderson is a much sought-after resource, and he consistently provides his staff with the tools and encouragement they need to serve their clients effectively; and

WHEREAS, Leighton Iles is an invaluable resource for legislators, probation directors, advocacy groups, and judges, with over 20 years of experience in addressing substance abuse and community supervision issues; recognized for his willingness to go above and beyond what is expected of him, Mr. Iles was granted membership on the TPA Adult Legislative Committee, and in October 2007, he was appointed to represent all 122 CSCD offices on the Judicial Advisory Council; and

WHEREAS, Todd Jermstad shares his experience with smart-on-crime criminal justice policies and his extensive legislative knowledge with judges, probation directors, and such advocacy groups as the Texas Criminal Justice Coalition and the Center for Effective Justice at the Texas Public Policy Foundation; Mr. Jermstad's willingness to support the efforts of those who seek his help is constant and unparalleled, and it has made him a trusted and irreplaceable friend to many within the field of community supervision; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Geraldine Nagy has worked with the Texas Legislature during several sessions to improve community corrections, and she genuinely understands the role of adult probation departments in changing the lives of those placed under supervision and in making the community safer; Dr. Nagy has dedicated her outstanding career to researching and implementing effective justice system practices in her current position and through her former roles as deputy director for the Community Justice Assistance Division of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and deputy director of Bastrop County CSCD; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Michael E. Noyes is a valuable asset to the criminal justice system, and his implementation of evidence-based best practices is improving the lives of many Texans; Mr. Noyes has more than 20 years of experience in the administration of public and private agencies that provide direct services to at-risk families, delinquent and dependent youth, and adults within the community corrections environment; along with his committed and knowledgeable team, he has spent considerable time during this session working with policy makers who are seeking smart-on-crime approaches that increase public safety and use tax revenue efficiently; and

WHEREAS, Tom Plumlee has gained the respect and admiration of his peers by devoting his career to enhancing the lives of those involved in the adult probation system; he has served as a CSCD director for more than two decades in Amarillo and later Fort Worth, and he has also worked as a probation officer for the Dallas County Probation Department; and

WHEREAS, Jim Stott has been a leader in the field of adult probation as a former president and co-chair of the TPA Adult Legislative Committee; with his active participation and his incredible dedication, he has helped his colleagues find solutions to the problems facing community supervision, and he has remained a strong advocate of community corrections; and

WHEREAS, Since 1983, Rodney J. Thompson has proven his commitment to strengthening community supervision in Texas, and he continues to serve on the board of directors for TPA and as co-chair of the TPA Adult Legislative Committee; Mr. Thompson was recognized as the Supervisor of the Year for the Tarrant County CSCD in 2005, and he has advocated for qualified staff and additional smart-on-crime strategies that will target the root causes of criminal behavior and address the needs of those suffering from substance abuse; and

WHEREAS, The CSCD directors have made lasting contributions to the areas they serve, and they have helped to strengthen the Texas criminal justice system by reducing incarceration costs, increasing public safety, and promoting independent and responsible living; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas Legislature hereby honor all employees of the Community Supervision and Corrections Department for their notable public service, and extend to them sincere appreciation for their dedication to the criminal justice corrections community; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for the CSCD directors as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives.