81R5614 JNC-D
By: Pickett H.R. No. 180
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, For 35 years, the members of the Texas Probation
Association have provided leadership through training, networking
opportunities, and advocacy for probation professionals throughout
the Lone Star State; and
WHEREAS, Established in 1974, the organization represents
employees in the nearly 300 adult and juvenile probation
departments across the state who are responsible for enforcing
court orders, collecting fees, providing offender treatment and
counseling referrals, and collecting restitution for victims; and
WHEREAS, The Texas Probation Association and its membership
strive to enhance public safety as their primary role while
maintaining efficiency for Texas taxpayers; and
WHEREAS, The probation system is the most cost-effective
alternative to long-term incarceration, providing the courts with
additional resources designed to reduce recidivism and provide
treatment for the offender; and
WHEREAS, Additional resources for increased diversions from
prison provided by the 80th Texas Legislature led to more
defendants being placed on adult probation, and technical
revocations decreased dramatically; and
WHEREAS, Since the 1995 recodification of the Juvenile
Justice Code, the juvenile probation system has ably protected
communities and provided a variety of programs and resources to the
juvenile courts to effectively and efficiently treat and
rehabilitate juvenile defendants; and
WHEREAS, The Texas Probation Association provides its
members with a unified voice, empowering them to express their
concerns, make public their successes, and articulate their vision
for the future; and
WHEREAS, The men and women of the Texas Probation Association
are dedicated to improving the state's criminal and juvenile
justice systems, and their efforts in this regard are helping to
build a brighter and more promising future for all Texans; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas
Legislature hereby recognize January 27, 2009, as Texas Probation
Association Day at the Capitol and extend to the members of that
organization sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for the Texas Probation Association as an expression of
high regard by the Texas House of Representatives.