| |
| |
|
|
SENATE RESOLUTION
|
|
|
WHEREAS, Hispanic judges from across the state are |
|
|
gathering in Austin on February 22, 2023, in celebration of Texas |
|
|
Hispanic Judges' Day at the State Capitol; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, The Hispanic population of Texas is at least 40 |
|
|
percent, yet Hispanic judges account for only 16 percent of the |
|
|
state's judiciary; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, Hispanic judges have contributed significantly |
|
|
to justice across the State of Texas, as exemplified by |
|
|
trailblazers Reynaldo Garza, U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth |
|
|
Circuit; Pete Benavides, U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit; |
|
|
Raul Gonzalez, Texas Supreme Court; Eva Guzman, Texas Supreme |
|
|
Court; Elsa Alcala, Texas Court of Criminal Appeals; Linda Yanez, |
|
|
Thirteenth Court of Appeals; Carlos Cadena, Fourth Court of |
|
|
Appeals; Alma Lopez, Fourth Court of Appeals; and Elma Salinas |
|
|
Ender, 341st Judicial District Court, to name a few; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, In collaboration with the Hispanic Issues Section |
|
|
of the State Bar of Texas, Hispanic judges formed the first |
|
|
statewide Hispanic judges' organization with the mission of |
|
|
advancing current and future Hispanic judges, promoting |
|
|
diversity, inclusion, integrity, and excellence in the |
|
|
judiciary, and recognizing their contributions to the Texas |
|
|
judicial system; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, Advancing equal justice is the mission of all |
|
|
judges, and today the more than 500 Hispanic individuals who |
|
|
serve on courts throughout the state exemplify the highest |
|
|
standards of judicial conduct and demonstrate their dedication |
|
|
to the people of Texas through their public service on and off the |
|
|
bench, which is truly an inspiration to us all; now, therefore, |
|
|
be it |
|
|
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the 88th Texas Legislature |
|
|
hereby recognize February 22, 2023, as Texas Hispanic Judges' Day |
|
|
at the State Capitol, commend Hispanic judges of Texas for their |
|
|
commitment to equal justice under the law, and extend to all |
|
|
those participating in this event sincere best wishes for a |
|
|
memorable and enjoyable visit to Austin. |