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SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 133
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WHEREAS, Proud members of the Justices of the Peace and |
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Constables Association of Texas are gathering in Austin on |
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February 12, 2019, for Justices of the Peace and Constables Day |
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at the State Capitol; and |
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WHEREAS, The office of justice of the peace, first |
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established in 1362 by King Edward of England, and the office of |
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constable, first established in 1215 by King John of England, |
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were two of the first offices established in the American |
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colonies in 1620; both offices were created by the Texas |
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Constitution approximately two centuries later and continue to |
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serve a vital role in the system of county government; and |
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WHEREAS, Justices of the peace are an integral part of the |
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Texas judiciary; they exercise jurisdiction in criminal |
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misdemeanor cases punishable by fine or sanctions and exercise |
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civil jurisdiction in matters in controversy up to $10,000; |
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justices of the peace preside over those courts closest to the |
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people, first established as "grass roots" courts in 1836 when |
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Texas became a republic; and |
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WHEREAS, Constables serve as officers of the court as |
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bailiffs, execute civil and criminal process issued by Texas |
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courts, and enforce criminal laws as certified peace officers; |
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the first known constable to serve in Texas was appointed in |
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1823, when the region was still under Mexican rule; and |
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WHEREAS, The men and women who accept the responsibilities |
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of the offices of justice of the peace and constable perform |
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their official duties with integrity, dedication, and the |
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required knowledge of the law, thereby contributing immeasurably |
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to the justice system, the safety of the citizens of Texas, and |
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the peace and order of our society; and |
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WHEREAS, For more than 75 years, the Justices of the Peace |
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and Constables Association of Texas has represented the interests |
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of justices of the peace, constables, and members of their staffs |
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across the Lone Star State, and today the organization boasts a |
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membership of over 2,000; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 86th |
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Legislature, hereby recognize February 12, 2019, as Justices |
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of the Peace and Constables Day at the State Capitol; and, be |
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it further |
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RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for |
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the association as an expression of high regard from the Texas |
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Senate. |
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Watson |
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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 February 6, 2019. |
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________________________________ |
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Secretary of the Senate |
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________________________________ |
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Member, Texas Senate |