Bill Text: TX SR331 | 2011-2012 | 82nd Legislature | Enrolled
Bill Title: Recognizing February 22, 2011, as Justices of the Peace and Constables Day at the State Capitol.
Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Republican 1)
Status: (Passed) 2011-02-22 - Reported enrolled [SR331 Detail]
Download: Texas-2011-SR331-Enrolled.html
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| WHEREAS, The office of justice of the peace, first | ||
| established in 1362 by King Edward of England, and the office of | ||
| constable, first established in 1215 by King John of England, | ||
| were two of the first offices established in the American | ||
| colonies in 1620; and | ||
| WHEREAS, In Texas, both offices were created by the Texas | ||
| Constitution, and they serve a vital role in the delivery of | ||
| county government responsibilities to citizens on the local | ||
| level; and | ||
| WHEREAS, The justices of the peace are an integral part of | ||
| the Texas judiciary; they exercise jurisdiction in criminal | ||
| misdemeanor cases punishable by fine or sanctions and exercise | ||
| civil jurisdiction in matters of controversy under $10,000; | ||
| justices of the peace preside over those courts closest to the | ||
| people and were first established as "grass roots" courts in 1836 | ||
| when Texas became a republic; and | ||
| WHEREAS, The constables serve as officers of the court as | ||
| bailiffs, execute civil and criminal processes issued by Texas | ||
| courts, and enforce criminal laws as certified peace officers; | ||
| constables were first documented in Texas in 1823 by Stephen F. | ||
| Austin when Texas was still under Mexican rule; and | ||
| WHEREAS, The men and women who accept the responsibilities | ||
| of the offices of justice of the peace and constable perform the | ||
| duties of their office with integrity, dedication, and the | ||
| required knowledge of the law, thereby contributing immeasurably | ||
| to the justice system, the safety of the citizens of Texas, and | ||
| the peace and order of our society; and | ||
| WHEREAS, The Justices of the Peace and Constables | ||
| Association of Texas, Incorporated, has represented the | ||
| interests of more than 4,000 Texas justices of the peace, | ||
| constables, and members of their staffs for over 60 years; and | ||
| WHEREAS, The dedication of a special day to focus attention | ||
| on the contributions of these public officials to our state is | ||
| appropriate and will enlighten the public as to their role in our | ||
| judicial system; now, therefore, be it | ||
| RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 82nd | ||
| Legislature, hereby proclaim February 22, 2011, Justices of the | ||
| Peace and Constables Day, welcome the visiting members of the | ||
| Justices of the Peace and Constables Association of Texas, | ||
| Incorporated, to the State Capitol, and commend the justices of | ||
| the peace and constables of our state for serving and protecting | ||
| the citizens of Texas; and, be it further | ||
| RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for the | ||
| Justices of the Peace and Constables Association of Texas, | ||
| Incorporated, as an expression of high regard from the Texas Senate. | ||
| Williams | ||
| ________________________________ | ||
| President of the Senate | ||
| I hereby certify that the | ||
| above Resolution was adopted by | ||
| the Senate on February 22, 2011. | ||
| ________________________________ | ||
| Secretary of the Senate | ||
| ________________________________ | ||
| Member, Texas Senate | ||
