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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Latinx judges from across the state are gathering in |
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Austin on February 22, 2023, in celebration of Texas Latinx Judges |
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Day at the State Capitol; and |
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WHEREAS, "Latinx" is the term specifically chosen to |
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reference judges of all Latin American and/or Hispanic cultural, |
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racial, and ethnic groups, including jurists who are nonbinary; and |
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WHEREAS, Although the Latinx population of Texas is at least |
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40 percent, Latinx judges account for only 16 percent of the state's |
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judiciary; nevertheless, Latinx judges have contributed |
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significantly to the delivery of justice across the state; notable |
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trailblazers include Reynaldo Garza and Pete Benavides, U.S. Court |
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of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, Raul Gonzalez and Eva Guzman, |
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Texas Supreme Court, Elsa Alcala, Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, |
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Linda Yanez, Thirteenth Court of Appeals, Carlos Cadena and Alma |
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Lopez, Fourth Court of Appeals, and Elma Salinas Ender, 341st |
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Judicial District Court, among others; and |
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WHEREAS, With support from the Hispanic Issues Section of the |
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State Bar of Texas, Latinx judges formed the first nonpartisan |
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Texas-wide organization dedicated to advancing current and future |
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Latinx judges, recognizing their contributions, and promoting |
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diversity, inclusion, integrity, and excellence in the judiciary; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, Fostering equal justice is the mission of all |
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judges, and the more than 500 Latinx individuals presently serving |
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on courts across Texas have exemplified the highest standards of |
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judicial conduct and have demonstrated an inspiring commitment to |
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the public through their efforts both on and off the bench; now, |
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therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas |
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Legislature hereby recognize February 22, 2023, as Texas Latinx |
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Judges Day at the State Capitol and extend to all those |
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participating sincere best wishes for a memorable and enjoyable |
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visit to Austin. |