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SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 447
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WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to |
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recognize criminal justice activist Michael Morton, who was |
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honored by the Dallas Morning News as one of its 2012 Texans of |
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the Year, along with fellow exoneree Christopher Scott; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Morton was wrongfully convicted in 1987 of the |
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murder of his wife; he spent the next 25 years in prison, serving |
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part of a life sentence; he was formally exonerated in December |
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of 2011; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Morton always maintained his innocence, and |
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DNA evidence uncovered by the Innocence Project proved his claim; |
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now, drawing on the memory of his life-altering ordeal, he uses |
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his freedom to help others who have been wrongly accused of |
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crimes; and |
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WHEREAS, Since his release from prison, Mr. Morton has spoken |
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out on behalf of others like him; he has used his experience for |
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positive means--to foster judicial reform and assist wrongfully |
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accused individuals as they rejoin society; and |
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WHEREAS, Although Mr. Morton spent a quarter of a century in |
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prison, and no amount of expiation can restore those years or erase |
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the mental anguish of his detention, he has chosen to channel his |
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energy into life-affirming works; this tenacious individual is |
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indeed deserving of recognition for his indomitable spirit and his |
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constructive outlook; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 83rd |
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Legislature, hereby commend Michael Morton for his fortitude in |
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the face of extreme adversity and his determination to take |
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positive action in the wake of his exoneration and extend to him |
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sincere best wishes in all his future endeavors; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for |
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Michael Morton as an expression of high regard from the Texas Senate. |
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Ellis |
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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 March 13, 2013. |
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________________________________ |
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Secretary of the Senate |
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________________________________ |
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Member, Texas Senate |