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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The year 2023 marks the bicentennial of the |
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establishment of the office of constable in Texas, and this |
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milestone anniversary provides a welcome opportunity to recognize |
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the outstanding contributions that have been made by these law |
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enforcement professionals through the decades; and |
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WHEREAS, The office of constable dates back at least to the |
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11th century in England and was later established in the British |
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colonies in North America; constables remained an integral |
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component of local law enforcement following the American |
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Revolution, and though their duties varied over time, constables |
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were often responsible for serving warrants, arresting offenders, |
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and generally upholding law and order; and |
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WHEREAS, The distinguished legacy of constables in Texas |
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began in 1823, when the area was still part of Mexico; on March 5 of |
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that year, John Tumlinson, the alcalde of the Colorado District in |
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Stephen F. Austin's first colony, appointed Thomas V. Alley as |
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constable, with Tumlinson stating that Alley's duties were "to |
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summon witnesses and bring offenders to justice"; when independence |
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was won in 1836, the Constitution of the Republic of Texas provided |
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for the election in each county of a sheriff and "a sufficient |
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number of constables," and 38 constables were eventually elected in |
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12 counties; and |
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WHEREAS, After Texas became a state in 1845, legislation |
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passed by state lawmakers declared that the constable should be |
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"the conservator of the peace throughout the county"; among their |
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other duties, constables were required to quell "riots, routs, |
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affrays, fighting, and unlawful assemblies" and to make arrests; |
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during the early statehood of Texas, constables were the most |
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active law enforcement officials in many counties; and |
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WHEREAS, Following the Civil War, the election of county |
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officials virtually ceased, but a major change came with the Texas |
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Constitution of 1876, which reinstated the election of constables |
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at the precinct level; today, constables are elected from precincts |
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in most Texas counties, and these licensed peace officers carry out |
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a range of essential functions, including serving warrants and |
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civil papers, such as subpoenas and temporary restraining orders, |
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issuing traffic citations, and serving as bailiffs for justice of |
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the peace courts; and |
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WHEREAS, Continuing to build on a proud and storied |
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tradition, Texas constables play an important role in enforcing the |
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rule of law, and it is a pleasure to join in celebrating this |
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significant anniversary; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas |
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Legislature hereby commemorate the bicentennial of the |
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establishment of the office of constable in Texas and extend |
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sincere appreciation to all constables in the state for their |
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exceptional work. |