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SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 141
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WHEREAS, The office of justice of the peace, first |
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established in 1362 by King Edward of England, and the office of |
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constable, first established in 1215 by King John of England, |
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were two of the first offices established in the American |
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colonies in 1620; and |
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WHEREAS, In Texas, both offices were created by the Texas |
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Constitution, and they serve a vital role in the delivery of |
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county government responsibilities to citizens on the local |
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level; and |
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WHEREAS, The justices of the peace are an integral part of |
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the Texas judiciary; they exercise jurisdiction in criminal |
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misdemeanor cases punishable by fine or sanctions and exercise |
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civil jurisdiction in matters of controversy under $5,000; |
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justices of the peace preside over those courts closest to the |
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people and were first established as "grass roots" courts in 1836 |
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when Texas became a republic; and |
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WHEREAS, The constables serve as officers of the court as |
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bailiffs, execute civil and criminal processes issued by Texas |
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courts, and enforce criminal laws as certified peace officers; |
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constables were first documented in Texas in 1823 by Stephen F. |
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Austin when Texas was still under Mexican rule; and |
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WHEREAS, The men and women who accept the responsibilities |
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of the offices of justice of the peace and constable perform the |
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duties of their office with integrity, dedication, and the |
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required knowledge of the law, thereby contributing immeasurably |
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to the justice system, the safety of the citizens of Texas, and |
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the peace and order of our society; and |
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WHEREAS, The Justices of the Peace and Constables |
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Association of Texas, Incorporated, has represented the |
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interests of more than 4,000 Texas justices of the peace, |
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constables, and members of their staffs for over 60 years; and |
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WHEREAS, The dedication of a special day to focus attention |
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on the contributions of these public officials to our state is |
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appropriate and will enlighten the public as to their role in our |
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judicial system; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 81st |
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Legislature, hereby proclaim February 25, 2009, Justices of the |
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Peace and Constables Day, welcome the visiting members of the |
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Justices of the Peace and Constables Association of Texas, |
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Incorporated, to the State Capitol, and commend the justices of |
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the peace and constables of our state for serving and protecting |
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the citizens of Texas; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for |
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the Justices of the Peace and Constables Association of Texas, |
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Incorporated, as an expression of high regard from the Texas |
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Senate. |
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Williams |
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________________________________ |
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President of the Senate |
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I hereby certify that the |
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above Resolution was adopted by |
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the Senate on February 25, 2009. |
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________________________________ |
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Secretary of the Senate |
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________________________________ |
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Member, Texas Senate |