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SENATE RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to |
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recognize the bicentennial of the establishment of the Office of |
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Constable in Texas, which will be celebrated on March 7, 2023, at |
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the State Capitol; and |
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WHEREAS, The Office of Constable was first established in |
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Texas in 1823 by Stephen F. Austin when Texas was still a part of |
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Mexico, and both the Office of Constable and the Office of |
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Justice of the Peace were authorized by the Texas Constitution; |
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Texas Constables serve as the elected law enforcement officials |
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of their precincts, and matters of law are brought before a |
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precinct's Justice of the Peace, who serves as the local judicial |
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representative; and |
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WHEREAS, Constables serve as officers of the Justice of |
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the Peace Court and are associate members of the Texas Department |
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of Public Safety; they work closely alongside Texas State |
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Troopers in the execution of their respective law enforcement |
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duties, and both operate under the jurisdiction of the local |
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Justice of the Peace Court, which serves as their primary court; |
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Texas Constables are elected to four-year terms by the people of |
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the county precinct they serve, and they fulfill their duties as |
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officers of the court by serving as bailiffs, executing both |
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civil and criminal processes issued by Texas courts, and |
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enforcing criminal laws as certified peace officers; and |
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WHEREAS, Constable offices across Texas manage a range of |
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public service and law enforcement responsibilities and may |
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operate traffic divisions, criminal investigation divisions, and |
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patrol and special response teams according to the priorities of |
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each precinct; constables have continuous jurisdiction within |
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their county and contiguous counties and report only to the |
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governor and the citizens that elect them to serve; today there |
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are approximately 780 elected constables who serve the citizens |
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of Texas; and |
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WHEREAS, Considered to be the "Peoples' Police," |
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constables' authority as law enforcement officers was provided |
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for in the original Texas Constitution; the men and women elected |
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to uphold the responsibilities of the Offices of Constable and |
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Justice of the Peace perform their official duties with courage, |
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integrity, and knowledge of the law, and they contribute |
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immeasurably to the stability of our justice system, the safety |
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of the citizens of Texas, and the peace and order of our society; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, In honor of the bicentennial of this |
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distinguished office, it is indeed fitting that a special day be |
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set aside to recognize the contributions to our state by these |
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esteemed public officials and to demonstrate our appreciation |
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for the important role they play in our state's judicial system |
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and in the safety and well-being of Texas citizens; now, |
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therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 88th |
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Legislature, hereby commend the exemplary Texans who uphold this |
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vital and historic office and extend to all best wishes for an |
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enjoyable visit to the State Capitol and for a memorable |
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celebration of the bicentennial of the Office of Constable in |
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Texas; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared in |
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honor of this special occasion. |