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
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
        President of the Senate
     
        I hereby certify that the
    above Resolution was adopted by
    the Senate on March 13, 2013.
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
        Secretary of the Senate
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
         Member, Texas Senate