| |
|
|
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 578
|
|
|
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to |
|
|
recognize the Travis County Mental Health Public Defender Office |
|
|
on the occasion of its 10th anniversary; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, The Travis County Mental Health Public Defender |
|
|
Office was established in April of 2007 through a grant from the |
|
|
Texas Indigent Defense Commission; its mission is to serve the |
|
|
needs of persons with mental illness who have found themselves |
|
|
caught up in the criminal justice system; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, It is the nation's first stand-alone public |
|
|
defender's office designed to represent those with mental health |
|
|
issues; it is staffed by specially trained attorneys, social |
|
|
workers, case workers, and support staff dedicated to providing |
|
|
its clients with holistic legal representation and case |
|
|
management; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, The clients of this outstanding organization are |
|
|
those who are indigent, who have been charged with a misdemeanor |
|
|
crime, and who have received at least one of several priority |
|
|
population diagnoses, including schizophrenia, bipolar |
|
|
disorder, major depression, and schizoaffective disorder; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, The staff of the Travis County Mental Health |
|
|
Public Defender Office work tirelessly to advocate for their |
|
|
clients and to ensure that their basic and specialized needs are |
|
|
met and their human rights and dignity are preserved and upheld; |
|
|
it is truly fitting that this exceptional organization receive |
|
|
special recognition; now, therefore, be it |
|
|
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 85th |
|
|
Legislature, hereby commend the staff and management of the |
|
|
Travis County Mental Health Public Defender Office on their |
|
|
commitment to equal justice and extend to them best wishes for a |
|
|
memorable 10th anniversary celebration; and, be it further |
|
|
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for |
|
|
this exemplary organization as an expression of high regard from |
|
|
the Texas Senate. |
| |
|
|
Watson |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
________________________________ |
|
|
|
President of the Senate |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I hereby certify that the |
|
|
|
above Resolution was adopted by |
|
|
|
the Senate on April 5, 2017. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
________________________________ |
|
|
|
Secretary of the Senate |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
________________________________ |
|
|
|
Member, Texas Senate |