88R23655 BK-D
 
  By: J. Johnson of Harris H.R. No. 1177
 
 
 
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 Maggie Luna and Jennifer Toon,
  who are helping to make a difference in the lives of others who have
  faced obstacles following reentry; and
         WHEREAS, Since her release from prison, Maggie Luna has
  dedicated herself to empowering, organizing, and mobilizing others
  at the state and local levels to enact meaningful change for inmates
  and formerly incarcerated individuals, which she has accomplished
  chiefly through her work as head of the Statewide Leadership
  Council; through her advocacy and leadership, she also played a
  pivotal role in saving the life of death row inmate Melissa Lucio,
  who was granted a stay of execution by the Texas Court of Criminal
  Appeals in April 2022; Ms. Luna is an alumna of JustLeadershipUSA,
  and she currently serves on the community advisory council of the
  Texas After Violence Project, a criminal justice reform group; and
         WHEREAS, After serving two decades in prison, beginning at
  the age of 15, Jennifer Toon has become a statewide policy expert
  and a leader in justice reform for incarcerated and returning
  women, children, and people with disabilities; she is the founder
  of the Lioness Justice Impacted Women's Alliance, and she currently
  serves as head of Finish the 5, a campaign to close youth prisons in
  Texas, and as a community advisor for the Texas After Violence
  Project; 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 Maggie Luna and Jennifer Toon 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.