H.R. No. 1176
 
 
 
R E S O L U T I O N
         WHEREAS, April 2023 has been recognized by presidential
  proclamation as Second Chance Month to honor those who have
  successfully reentered society after being incarcerated and to pay
  tribute to the community groups, faith-based organizations, and
  employers that are helping to reduce recidivism among former
  inmates; and
         WHEREAS, Individuals who have been incarcerated face
  significant barriers in returning to life outside of a detention
  facility; those who have successfully made that transition are
  worthy of recognition, not only because of the challenges they have
  overcome but also because of the positive example they provide to
  others who are walking the same path; and
         WHEREAS, The State of Texas is home to many men and women who
  have transcended their troubled pasts to become productive
  citizens; among their numbers are Cynthia Simons and Justin
  Martinez, who have dedicated themselves to assisting formerly
  incarcerated Texans in rebuilding their lives; and
         WHEREAS, Since her release from prison, Cynthia Simons has
  become a champion for incarcerated women and their families and has
  made a significant difference through her efforts as a peer leader
  and reentry specialist; she has served as a member of the
  Austin/Travis County Reentry Roundtable and of the board of
  MEASURE, a Black-led organization that works to promote data equity
  to address community policing as well as health, education, and
  economic disparities; she is an advocate for the liberation of
  Black people across the State of Texas, and she has played a pivotal
  role in restoring parental rights to families torn apart by
  incarceration; and
         WHEREAS, After being incarcerated, Justin Martinez completed
  his master's degree in legal studies with a paralegal
  certification; he has since become a policy analyst, and through
  his research and advocacy, he strives to dismantle systems of
  oppression and to help Texans break the cycle of incarceration; and
         WHEREAS, Many more individuals throughout our state have
  likewise emerged from the criminal justice system to realize
  meaningful goals in a broad range of endeavors, and their
  experiences offer a moving testament to the human potential for
  redemption; now, therefore, be it
         RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas
  Legislature hereby recognize April 2023 as Second Chance Month,
  honor Cynthia Simons and Justin Martinez for their contributions as
  activists for criminal justice reform and rehabilitation, and
  commend those organizations and individuals who are assisting
  former inmates in reintegrating into society.
 
  J. Johnson of Harris
 
  ______________________________
  Speaker of the House     
 
         I certify that H.R. No. 1176 was adopted by the House on April
  25, 2023, by a non-record vote.
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House