H.R. No. 515

	R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, The office of justice of the peace, originally
	created in 1362 by King Edward of England, and the office of
	constable, created in 1215 by King John of England, were two of the
	first offices established in the American colonies in 1620; and
	WHEREAS, Both offices were created by the Texas Constitution
	and play a vital role in the delivery of county government services;
	and
	WHEREAS, Justices of the peace are an integral part of the
	Texas judiciary; they exercise jurisdiction in criminal
	misdemeanor cases punishable by fine or sanctions and exercise
	civil jurisdiction in matters in controversy under $10,000; first
	established as "grass roots" courts in 1836, when Texas became a
	republic, they preside over those courts closest to the people; and
	WHEREAS, Constables serve as officers of the court as
	bailiffs, execute civil and criminal process issued by Texas
	courts, and enforce criminal laws as certified peace officers; they
	were first documented in Texas by Stephen F. Austin in 1823, when
	Texas was still under Mexican rule; and
	WHEREAS, Established in 1945, the Justices of the Peace and
	Constables Association of Texas represents the interests of Texas
	justices of the peace and constables, as well as their clerks and
	deputies; and
	WHEREAS, The men and women who accept the responsibilities of
	the offices of justice of the peace and constable contribute
	immeasurably to the justice system, the safety of Texans, and the
	peace and order of our society, and the dedication of a special day
	at the Capitol to focus attention on these public officials
	heightens awareness of the important contributions they make
	benefiting citizens across the Lone Star State; now, therefore, be
	it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas
	Legislature hereby recognize February 22, 2011, as Justices of the
	Peace and Constables Day at the State Capitol; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
	prepared for the association as an expression of high regard from
	the Texas House of Representatives.
	Lucio III
	Hunter
	Straus Gonzales of Williamson Morrison
	Aliseda Gonzalez Munoz, Jr.
	Allen Gooden Murphy
	Alonzo Guillen Naishtat
	Alvarado Gutierrez Nash
	Anchia Hamilton Oliveira
	Anderson of Dallas Hancock Orr
	Anderson of McLennan Hardcastle Otto
	Aycock Harless Parker
	Beck Harper-Brown Patrick
	Berman Hartnett Paxton
	Bohac Hernandez Luna Pena
	Bonnen Hilderbran Perry
	Branch Hochberg Phillips
	Brown Hopson Pickett
	Burkett Howard of Fort Bend Pitts
	Burnam Howard of Travis Price
	Button Huberty Quintanilla
	Cain Hughes Raymond
	Callegari Hunter Reynolds
	Carter Isaac Riddle
	Castro Jackson Ritter
	Chisum Johnson Rodriguez
	Christian Keffer Schwertner
	Coleman King of Parker Scott
	Cook King of Taylor Sheets
	Craddick King of Zavala Sheffield
	Creighton Kleinschmidt Shelton
	Crownover Kolkhorst Simpson
	Darby Kuempel Smith of Harris
	Davis of Dallas Landtroop Smith of Tarrant
	J. Davis of Harris Larson Smithee
	S. Davis of Harris Laubenberg Solomons
	Deshotel Lavender Strama
	Driver Legler Taylor of Collin
	Dukes Lewis Taylor of Galveston
	Dutton Lozano Thompson
	Eiland Lucio III Torres
	Eissler Lyne Truitt
	Elkins Madden Turner
	Farias Mallory Caraway Veasey
	Farrar Margo Villarreal
	Fletcher Marquez Vo
	Flynn Martinez Walle
	Frullo Martinez Fischer Weber
	Gallego McClendon White
	Garza Menendez Woolley
	Geren Miles Workman
	Giddings Miller of Comal Zedler
	Gonzales of Hidalgo Miller of Erath Zerwas
	______________________________
	Speaker of the House
	I certify that H.R. No. 515 was adopted by the House on February
	22, 2011, by a non-record vote.
	______________________________
	Chief Clerk of the House