81R32852 MG-F
By: McReynolds H.R. No. 2406
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The Texas House of Representatives is pleased to
recognize the directors and employees of the Community Supervision
and Corrections Department (CSCD) for their outstanding service to
the Lone Star State; and
WHEREAS, With locations throughout Texas, the CSCD is
responsible for providing community supervision or adult probation
services to hundreds of thousands of individuals, and it offers
numerous programs that are designed to change individual behavior
and help protect the community; and
WHEREAS, The agency's directors, along with their teams,
tirelessly manage all aspects of the adult probation departments
within their jurisdictions, aim to improve lives through the use of
best practices, and encourage individuals assigned to community
supervision to take positive steps toward enhancing their quality
of life; and
WHEREAS, The committed individuals who have contributed
immeasurably to the successful reintegration of formerly
incarcerated individuals into the community include: Paul Becker,
director of Harris County CSCD; Stephen L. Enders, director of
West Texas CSCD; George Hernandez, director of Caldwell County
CSCD; Steven T. Henderson, director of Lubbock/Crosby Counties
CSCD; Leighton Iles, director of Fort Bend County CSCD; Todd
Jermstad, interim director of Bell County CSCD; Dr. Geraldine Nagy,
director of Travis County CSCD; Dr. Michael E. Noyes, director of
Dallas County CSCD; Tom Plumlee, director of Tarrant County CSCD;
Jim Stott, director of Jefferson County CSCD; and Rodney J.
Thompson, director of Angelina County CSCD, as well as many other
caring and hardworking employees; and
WHEREAS, Paul Becker has worked diligently with state
legislators to advocate for stronger probation departments on
behalf of the entire field of community corrections; Mr. Becker has
also made much-needed improvements to the Harris County CSCD with
his knowledge of treatment programs and team building; and
WHEREAS, Stephen L. Enders has brought progressive and
innovative programming to adult probation in El Paso for more than
35 years; he has implemented and administered many smart-on-crime
community corrections programs in the area, including an adult
probation learning center, a treatment alternative to
incarceration program, and victim services; moreover, Mr. Enders
has presented fresh, evidence-based ways of management, and he is
the chair of the Probation Advisory Committee (PAC) and a member of
the Texas Probation Association (TPA) and the Texas Corrections
Association; and
WHEREAS, George Hernandez is retiring at the end of August
2009, after a long and admirable career marked by dedication and
service to community corrections; he has devoted numerous hours as
an advocate for recruiting and retaining quality officers, and he
has passionately represented the interests of the Central Texas
regional chiefs as a member of the Probation Advisory Committee and
as the current co-chair of the TPA Adult Legislative Committee; and
WHEREAS, Steven T. Henderson has contributed to the field of
community supervision for more than two decades with his impeccable
work ethic and extensive knowledge about those programs and
supervision strategies that have been proven beneficial to the
community; Mr. Henderson is a much sought-after resource, and he
consistently provides his staff with the tools and encouragement
they need to serve their clients effectively; and
WHEREAS, Leighton Iles is an invaluable resource for
legislators, probation directors, advocacy groups, and judges,
with over 20 years of experience in addressing substance abuse and
community supervision issues; recognized for his willingness to go
above and beyond what is expected of him, Mr. Iles was granted
membership on the TPA Adult Legislative Committee, and in October
2007, he was appointed to represent all 122 CSCD offices on the
Judicial Advisory Council; and
WHEREAS, Todd Jermstad shares his experience with
smart-on-crime criminal justice policies and his extensive
legislative knowledge with judges, probation directors, and such
advocacy groups as the Texas Criminal Justice Coalition and the
Center for Effective Justice at the Texas Public Policy Foundation;
Mr. Jermstad's willingness to support the efforts of those who seek
his help is constant and unparalleled, and it has made him a trusted
and irreplaceable friend to many within the field of community
supervision; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Geraldine Nagy has worked with the Texas
Legislature during several sessions to improve community
corrections, and she genuinely understands the role of adult
probation departments in changing the lives of those placed under
supervision and in making the community safer; Dr. Nagy has
dedicated her outstanding career to researching and implementing
effective justice system practices in her current position and
through her former roles as deputy director for the Community
Justice Assistance Division of the Texas Department of Criminal
Justice and deputy director of Bastrop County CSCD; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Michael E. Noyes is a valuable asset to the
criminal justice system, and his implementation of evidence-based
best practices is improving the lives of many Texans; Mr. Noyes has
more than 20 years of experience in the administration of public and
private agencies that provide direct services to at-risk families,
delinquent and dependent youth, and adults within the community
corrections environment; along with his committed and
knowledgeable team, he has spent considerable time during this
session working with policy makers who are seeking smart-on-crime
approaches that increase public safety and use tax revenue
efficiently; and
WHEREAS, Tom Plumlee has gained the respect and admiration of
his peers by devoting his career to enhancing the lives of those
involved in the adult probation system; he has served as a CSCD
director for more than two decades in Amarillo and later Fort Worth,
and he has also worked as a probation officer for the Dallas County
Probation Department; and
WHEREAS, Jim Stott has been a leader in the field of adult
probation as a former president and co-chair of the TPA Adult
Legislative Committee; with his active participation and his
incredible dedication, he has helped his colleagues find solutions
to the problems facing community supervision, and he has remained a
strong advocate of community corrections; and
WHEREAS, Since 1983, Rodney J. Thompson has proven his
commitment to strengthening community supervision in Texas, and he
continues to serve on the board of directors for TPA and as co-chair
of the TPA Adult Legislative Committee; Mr. Thompson was recognized
as the Supervisor of the Year for the Tarrant County CSCD in 2005,
and he has advocated for qualified staff and additional
smart-on-crime strategies that will target the root causes of
criminal behavior and address the needs of those suffering from
substance abuse; and
WHEREAS, The CSCD directors have made lasting contributions
to the areas they serve, and they have helped to strengthen the
Texas criminal justice system by reducing incarceration costs,
increasing public safety, and promoting independent and
responsible living; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas
Legislature hereby honor all employees of the Community Supervision
and Corrections Department for their notable public service, and
extend to them sincere appreciation for their dedication to the
criminal justice corrections community; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for the CSCD directors as an expression of high regard by
the Texas House of Representatives.