H.R. No. 2536
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Deacon E. Generes DuFour is retiring as director of
the Criminal Justice Office of the Catholic Diocese of Austin in
2017, drawing to a close more than three decades of outstanding
service in behalf of prisoners and ex-offenders; and
WHEREAS, A ministry of the Secretariat for Life, Justice, and
Charity, the Criminal Justice Office works with state and federal
correctional authorities and with local parishes and other dioceses
across Texas to provide spiritual counsel to both prisoners and
staff at correctional facilities; the office also offers spiritual
and material support to the families of offenders and to
ex-offenders and their families; and
WHEREAS, Deacon "Doots" DuFour took on this vital work as the
office's director in 1986, and over the course of his exemplary
31-year tenure, many former inmates have received the guidance and
resources they need to successfully reenter life outside of prison;
he has also been a powerful advocate before the state legislature
for reform of the criminal justice system, placing an emphasis on
rehabilitation and the reduction of recidivism; in addition, he has
served as chair of the Texas Catholic Correctional Ministers, which
represents those Catholic men and women who are active in
correctional ministries across the Lone Star State; and
WHEREAS, An alumnus of the University of Notre Dame, Deacon
DuFour answered his nation's call to duty as a young man and joined
the U.S. Army; he served in the Korean War and the Vietnam War and
retired after 21 years, at the rank of lieutenant; and
WHEREAS, Deacon DuFour's dedication, skill, and compassion
have helped to inspire and provide solace to innumerable prisoners
and ex-offenders, and he may indeed reflect with pride on a career
well spent as he embarks upon the next exciting chapter of his life;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas
Legislature hereby congratulate Deacon Doots DuFour on his
retirement as director of the Criminal Justice Office of the
Catholic Diocese of Austin and extend to him sincere best wishes for
the future; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Deacon DuFour as an expression of high regard by the
Texas House of Representatives.
White
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 2536 was adopted by the House on May
28, 2017, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House