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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The Honorable Esmeralda Peña Garcia retired from the |
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Houston Municipal Court in March 2020, drawing to a close a notable |
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career in public service that spanned more than three decades; and |
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WHEREAS, After receiving her bachelor's degree in sociology |
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from the University of Houston in 1974, Ms. Garcia worked for the |
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Abuse Team of Harris County Children's Protective Services; she |
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went on to earn her law degree in 1982 from the University of |
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Houston Law Center, and she was the first Hispanic person to be |
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elected president of the UH Student Bar Association and helped lead |
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the effort to include minority students on the admissions |
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committee; and |
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WHEREAS, Known to many as "Judge Essie," Ms. Garcia served |
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the City of Houston and the State of Texas for 33 years as a |
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municipal court judge, and her long and tireless service was |
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recognized when October 11, 2016, was declared Judge Esmeralda Peña |
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Garcia Day by the City of Houston; her many other honors include the |
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Women Making History Award from the Harris County Democratic Party, |
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the Distinguished Service Award from the UH Law Center Faculty, and |
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lifetime achievement awards from the Mexican-American Bar |
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Association of Texas Foundation and the National Hispanic |
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Professional Organization-Houston; and |
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WHEREAS, Since her retirement, Judge Garcia has joined the |
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firm of Johnson Garcia LLP, where she is of counsel as a personal |
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injury attorney; and |
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WHEREAS, Judge Essie Garcia's dedication, integrity, and |
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commitment to justice greatly benefited the citizens of Harris |
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County and earned her the respect and admiration of her peers, and |
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she may indeed reflect with pride on her many years of service; now, |
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therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas |
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Legislature hereby congratulate the Honorable Esmeralda Peña |
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Garcia on her retirement from the Houston Municipal Court and |
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extend to her sincere best wishes for continued success; and, be it |
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further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for Ms. Garcia as an expression of high regard by the Texas |
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House of Representatives. |
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Morales of Harris |
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______________________________ |
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Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.R. No. 970 was adopted by the House on May 8, |
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2021, by a non-record vote. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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