H.R. No. 1176
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, April 2023 has been recognized by presidential
proclamation as Second Chance Month to honor those who have
successfully reentered society after being incarcerated and to pay
tribute to the community groups, faith-based organizations, and
employers that are helping to reduce recidivism among former
inmates; and
WHEREAS, Individuals who have been incarcerated face
significant barriers in returning to life outside of a detention
facility; those who have successfully made that transition are
worthy of recognition, not only because of the challenges they have
overcome but also because of the positive example they provide to
others who are walking the same path; and
WHEREAS, The State of Texas is home to many men and women who
have transcended their troubled pasts to become productive
citizens; among their numbers are Cynthia Simons and Justin
Martinez, who have dedicated themselves to assisting formerly
incarcerated Texans in rebuilding their lives; and
WHEREAS, Since her release from prison, Cynthia Simons has
become a champion for incarcerated women and their families and has
made a significant difference through her efforts as a peer leader
and reentry specialist; she has served as a member of the
Austin/Travis County Reentry Roundtable and of the board of
MEASURE, a Black-led organization that works to promote data equity
to address community policing as well as health, education, and
economic disparities; she is an advocate for the liberation of
Black people across the State of Texas, and she has played a pivotal
role in restoring parental rights to families torn apart by
incarceration; and
WHEREAS, After being incarcerated, Justin Martinez completed
his master's degree in legal studies with a paralegal
certification; he has since become a policy analyst, and through
his research and advocacy, he strives to dismantle systems of
oppression and to help Texans break the cycle of incarceration; and
WHEREAS, Many more individuals throughout our state have
likewise emerged from the criminal justice system to realize
meaningful goals in a broad range of endeavors, and their
experiences offer a moving testament to the human potential for
redemption; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas
Legislature hereby recognize April 2023 as Second Chance Month,
honor Cynthia Simons and Justin Martinez for their contributions as
activists for criminal justice reform and rehabilitation, and
commend those organizations and individuals who are assisting
former inmates in reintegrating into society.
J. Johnson of Harris
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 1176 was adopted by the House on April
25, 2023, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House