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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The Dallas County Sheriff's Department has been an |
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instrumental and successful leader in the state's fight to curb |
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illegal emissions inspection activities; and |
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WHEREAS, Concerned about the impact of fraudulent emissions |
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inspections on air quality, the North Central Texas Council of |
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Governments, in conjunction with Dallas County, created the |
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Regional Emissions Enforcement Program to assist local law |
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enforcement personnel in combatting such illicit activity; the |
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program is based on a comprehensive approach that includes on-road |
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enforcement, covert operations, prosecution of offenders, and |
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collaboration among agencies, including the Texas Commission on |
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Environmental Quality, the Department of Public Safety, and the |
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Attorney General's Office; and |
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WHEREAS, A product of this teamwork, the NCTCOG Emissions |
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Database, is now an operational tool for officers in the field, a |
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resource that provides them with 24/7 access to emissions records; |
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equipped with this aid, the Dallas County Sheriff's Department has |
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worked to identify counterfeit inspection certificates, auto |
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dealerships that offer falsely certified vehicles, and simulators |
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substituting for real emissions analysis equipment; so effective |
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have been the department's efforts that the Regional Emissions |
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Enforcement Program was recognized with a 2010 Clean Air Excellence |
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Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; moreover, the |
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department's detection of fraudulent emissions inspection activity |
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has often led to the uncovering of related crimes, including money |
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laundering, drugs and weapons trafficking, and human trafficking; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, The exemplary dedication and hard work of the Dallas |
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County Sheriff's Department have played a notable role in curbing |
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emissions and improving air quality in the North Central Texas |
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region, and the recognition bestowed by the EPA is a resounding |
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testament to the clear impact of the department's endeavors; now, |
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therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas |
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Legislature hereby honor the Dallas County Sheriff's Department for |
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its contributions to regional emissions enforcement and extend to |
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all those involved in this worthy endeavor sincere best wishes for |
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continued success; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for the Dallas County Sheriff's Department as an |
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expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. |