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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Hispanic judges from across the state are gathering |
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in Austin on February 25, 2025, in celebration of Texas Hispanic |
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Judges' Day at the State Capitol; and |
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WHEREAS, The Hispanic population of Texas is at least 40 |
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percent, yet Hispanic judges account for only 16 percent of the |
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state's judiciary; and |
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WHEREAS, Hispanic judges have contributed significantly to |
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justice across the State of Texas, as exemplified by trailblazers |
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Reynaldo Garza, U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit; Pete |
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Benavides, U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit; Raul Gonzalez, |
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Texas Supreme Court; Eva Guzman, Texas Supreme Court; Elsa Alcala, |
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Texas Court of Criminal Appeals; Linda Yanez, Thirteenth Court of |
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Appeals; Carlos Cadena, Fourth Court of Appeals; Alma Lopez, Fourth |
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Court of Appeals; Dori Contreras, Chief, Thirteenth Court of |
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Appeals; and Elma Salinas Ender, 341st Judicial District Court, to |
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name a few; and |
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WHEREAS, In collaboration with the Hispanic Issues Section of |
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the State Bar of Texas, Hispanic judges formed the first statewide |
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Hispanic judges' organization with the mission of enhancing |
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excellence in the profession for current and future Hispanic |
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judges, promoting diversity, inclusion, and integrity, and |
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recognizing their contributions to the Texas judicial system; and |
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WHEREAS, Advancing equal justice under the law is the mission |
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of all judges, and today the more than 500 Hispanic individuals who |
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serve on courts throughout the state exemplify the highest |
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standards of judicial conduct and demonstrate their dedication to |
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the people of Texas through their public service on and off the |
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bench; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas |
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Legislature hereby recognize February 25, 2025, as Texas Hispanic |
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Judges' Day at the State Capitol, commend Hispanic judges of Texas |
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for their commitment to equal justice under the law, and extend to |
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all those participating in this event sincere best wishes for a |
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memorable and enjoyable visit to Austin. |