SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 578
	WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to
	recognize the Travis County Mental Health Public Defender Office
	on the occasion of its 10th anniversary; and
	WHEREAS, The Travis County Mental Health Public Defender
	Office was established in April of 2007 through a grant from the
	Texas Indigent Defense Commission; its mission is to serve the
	needs of persons with mental illness who have found themselves
	caught up in the criminal justice system; and
	WHEREAS, It is the nation's first stand-alone public
	defender's office designed to represent those with mental health
	issues; it is staffed by specially trained attorneys, social
	workers, case workers, and support staff dedicated to providing
	its clients with holistic legal representation and case
	management; and
	WHEREAS, The clients of this outstanding organization are
	those who are indigent, who have been charged with a misdemeanor
	crime, and who have received at least one of several priority
	population diagnoses, including schizophrenia, bipolar
	disorder, major depression, and schizoaffective disorder; and
	WHEREAS, The staff of the Travis County Mental Health
	Public Defender Office work tirelessly to advocate for their
	clients and to ensure that their basic and specialized needs are
	met and their human rights and dignity are preserved and upheld;
	it is truly fitting that this exceptional organization receive
	special recognition; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 85th
	Legislature, hereby commend the staff and management of the
	Travis County Mental Health Public Defender Office on their
	commitment to equal justice and extend to them best wishes for a
	memorable 10th anniversary celebration; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
	this exemplary organization as an expression of high regard from
	the Texas Senate.
	Watson
		________________________________
		President of the Senate
		I hereby certify that the
		above Resolution was adopted by
		the Senate on April 5, 2017.
		________________________________
		Secretary of the Senate
		________________________________
		Member, Texas Senate