SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 447

WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to recognize criminal justice activist Michael Morton, who was honored by the Dallas Morning News as one of its 2012 Texans of the Year, along with fellow exoneree Christopher Scott; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Morton was wrongfully convicted in 1987 of the murder of his wife; he spent the next 25 years in prison, serving part of a life sentence; he was formally exonerated in December of 2011; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Morton always maintained his innocence, and DNA evidence uncovered by the Innocence Project proved his claim; now, drawing on the memory of his life-altering ordeal, he uses his freedom to help others who have been wrongly accused of crimes; and

WHEREAS, Since his release from prison, Mr. Morton has spoken out on behalf of others like him; he has used his experience for positive means--to foster judicial reform and assist wrongfully accused individuals as they rejoin society; and

WHEREAS, Although Mr. Morton spent a quarter of a century in prison, and no amount of expiation can restore those years or erase the mental anguish of his detention, he has chosen to channel his energy into life-affirming works; this tenacious individual is indeed deserving of recognition for his indomitable spirit and his constructive outlook; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 83rd Legislature, hereby commend Michael Morton for his fortitude in the face of extreme adversity and his determination to take positive action in the wake of his exoneration and extend to him sincere best wishes in all his future endeavors; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for Michael Morton as an expression of high regard from the Texas Senate.

Ellis

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on March 13, 2013.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate