H.R. No. 1177
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 Maggie Luna and Jennifer Toon,
who are helping to make a difference in the lives of others who have
faced obstacles following reentry; and
WHEREAS, Since her release from prison, Maggie Luna has
dedicated herself to empowering, organizing, and mobilizing others
at the state and local levels to enact meaningful change for inmates
and formerly incarcerated individuals, which she has accomplished
chiefly through her work as head of the Statewide Leadership
Council; through her advocacy and leadership, she also played a
pivotal role in saving the life of death row inmate Melissa Lucio,
who was granted a stay of execution by the Texas Court of Criminal
Appeals in April 2022; Ms. Luna is an alumna of JustLeadershipUSA,
and she currently serves on the community advisory council of the
Texas After Violence Project, a criminal justice reform group; and
WHEREAS, After serving two decades in prison, beginning at
the age of 15, Jennifer Toon has become a statewide policy expert
and a leader in justice reform for incarcerated and returning
women, children, and people with disabilities; she is the founder
of the Lioness Justice Impacted Women's Alliance, and she currently
serves as head of Finish the 5, a campaign to close youth prisons in
Texas, and as a community advisor for the Texas After Violence
Project; 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 Maggie Luna and Jennifer Toon 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. 1177 was adopted by the House on April
25, 2023, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House