88R13259 JH-D
By: Neave Criado H.R. No. 294
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Latinx judges from across the state are gathering in
Austin on February 22, 2023, in celebration of Texas Latinx Judges
Day at the State Capitol; and
WHEREAS, "Latinx" is the term specifically chosen to
reference judges of all Latin American and/or Hispanic cultural,
racial, and ethnic groups, including jurists who are nonbinary; and
WHEREAS, Although the Latinx population of Texas is at least
40 percent, Latinx judges account for only 16 percent of the state's
judiciary; nevertheless, Latinx judges have contributed
significantly to the delivery of justice across the state; notable
trailblazers include Reynaldo Garza and Pete Benavides, U.S. Court
of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, Raul Gonzalez and Eva Guzman,
Texas Supreme Court, Elsa Alcala, Texas Court of Criminal Appeals,
Linda Yanez, Thirteenth Court of Appeals, Carlos Cadena and Alma
Lopez, Fourth Court of Appeals, and Elma Salinas Ender, 341st
Judicial District Court, among others; and
WHEREAS, With support from the Hispanic Issues Section of the
State Bar of Texas, Latinx judges formed the first nonpartisan
Texas-wide organization dedicated to advancing current and future
Latinx judges, recognizing their contributions, and promoting
diversity, inclusion, integrity, and excellence in the judiciary;
and
WHEREAS, Fostering equal justice is the mission of all
judges, and the more than 500 Latinx individuals presently serving
on courts across Texas have exemplified the highest standards of
judicial conduct and have demonstrated an inspiring commitment to
the public through their efforts both on and off the bench; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas
Legislature hereby recognize February 22, 2023, as Texas Latinx
Judges Day at the State Capitol and extend to all those
participating sincere best wishes for a memorable and enjoyable
visit to Austin.