Bill Text: TX SR133 | 2019-2020 | 86th Legislature | Enrolled
Bill Title: Recognizing February 12, 2019, as Justices of the Peace and Constables Day.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2019-02-06 - Reported enrolled [SR133 Detail]
Download: Texas-2019-SR133-Enrolled.html
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WHEREAS, Proud members of the Justices of the Peace and | ||
Constables Association of Texas are gathering in Austin on | ||
February 12, 2019, for Justices of the Peace and Constables Day | ||
at the State Capitol; and | ||
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; both offices were created by the Texas | ||
Constitution approximately two centuries later and continue to | ||
serve a vital role in the system of county government; and | ||
WHEREAS, 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 in controversy up to $10,000; | ||
justices of the peace preside over those courts closest to the | ||
people, first established as "grass roots" courts in 1836 when | ||
Texas became a republic; and | ||
WHEREAS, Constables serve as officers of the court as | ||
bailiffs, execute civil and criminal process issued by Texas | ||
courts, and enforce criminal laws as certified peace officers; | ||
the first known constable to serve in Texas was appointed in | ||
1823, when the region 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 | ||
their official duties 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, For more than 75 years, the Justices of the Peace | ||
and Constables Association of Texas has represented the interests | ||
of justices of the peace, constables, and members of their staffs | ||
across the Lone Star State, and today the organization boasts a | ||
membership of over 2,000; now, therefore, be it | ||
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 86th | ||
Legislature, hereby recognize February 12, 2019, as Justices | ||
of the Peace and Constables Day at the State Capitol; and, be | ||
it further | ||
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for | ||
the association 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 February 6, 2019. | ||
________________________________ | ||
Secretary of the Senate | ||
________________________________ | ||
Member, Texas Senate |