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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Deacon E. Generes DuFour is retiring as director of |
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the Criminal Justice Office of the Catholic Diocese of Austin in |
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2017, drawing to a close more than three decades of outstanding |
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service in behalf of prisoners and ex-offenders; and |
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WHEREAS, A ministry of the Secretariat for Life, Justice, and |
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Charity, the Criminal Justice Office works with state and federal |
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correctional authorities and with local parishes and other dioceses |
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across Texas to provide spiritual counsel to both prisoners and |
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staff at correctional facilities; the office also offers spiritual |
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and material support to the families of offenders and to |
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ex-offenders and their families; and |
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WHEREAS, Deacon "Doots" DuFour took on this vital work as the |
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office's director in 1986, and over the course of his exemplary |
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31-year tenure, many former inmates have received the guidance and |
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resources they need to successfully reenter life outside of prison; |
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he has also been a powerful advocate before the state legislature |
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for reform of the criminal justice system, placing an emphasis on |
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rehabilitation and the reduction of recidivism; in addition, he has |
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served as chair of the Texas Catholic Correctional Ministers, which |
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represents those Catholic men and women who are active in |
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correctional ministries across the Lone Star State; and |
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WHEREAS, An alumnus of the University of Notre Dame, Deacon |
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DuFour answered his nation's call to duty as a young man and joined |
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the U.S. Army; he served in the Korean War and the Vietnam War and |
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retired after 21 years, at the rank of lieutenant; and |
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WHEREAS, Deacon DuFour's dedication, skill, and compassion |
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have helped to inspire and provide solace to innumerable prisoners |
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and ex-offenders, and he may indeed reflect with pride on a career |
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well spent as he embarks upon the next exciting chapter of his life; |
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now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas |
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Legislature hereby congratulate Deacon Doots DuFour on his |
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retirement as director of the Criminal Justice Office of the |
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Catholic Diocese of Austin and extend to him sincere best wishes for |
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the future; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for Deacon DuFour as an expression of high regard by the |
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Texas House of Representatives. |