Texas 2023 - 88th Regular

Texas Senate Bill SR280 Compare Versions

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1	1	SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 280
2	2	WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to
3	3	recognize the bicentennial of the establishment of the Office of
4	4	Constable in Texas, which will be celebrated on March 7, 2023, at
5	5	the State Capitol; and
6	6	WHEREAS, The Office of Constable was first established in
7	7	Texas in 1823 by Stephen F. Austin when Texas was still a part of
8	8	Mexico, and both the Office of Constable and the Office of
9	9	Justice of the Peace were authorized by the Texas Constitution;
10	10	Texas Constables serve as the elected law enforcement officials
11	11	of their precincts, and matters of law are brought before a
12	12	precinct's Justice of the Peace, who serves as the local judicial
13	13	representative; and
14	14	WHEREAS, Constables serve as officers of the Justice of the
15	15	Peace Court and are associate members of the Texas Department of
16	16	Public Safety; they work closely alongside Texas State Troopers
17	17	in the execution of their respective law enforcement duties, and
18	18	both operate under the jurisdiction of the local Justice of the
19	19	Peace Court, which serves as their primary court; Texas
20	20	Constables are elected to four-year terms by the people of the
21	21	county precinct they serve, and they fulfill their duties as
22	22	officers of the court by serving as bailiffs, executing both
23	23	civil and criminal processes issued by Texas courts, and
24	24	enforcing criminal laws as certified peace officers; and
25	25	WHEREAS, Constable offices across Texas manage a range of
26	26	public service and law enforcement responsibilities and may
27	27	operate traffic divisions, criminal investigation divisions, and
28	28	patrol and special response teams according to the priorities of
29	29	each precinct; constables have continuous jurisdiction within
30	30	their county and contiguous counties and report only to the
31	31	governor and the citizens that elect them to serve; today there
32	32	are approximately 780 elected constables who serve the citizens
33	33	of Texas; and
34	34	WHEREAS, Considered to be the "Peoples' Police,"
35	35	constables' authority as law enforcement officers was provided
36	36	for in the original Texas Constitution; the men and women
37	37	elected to uphold the responsibilities of the Offices of
38	38	Constable and Justice of the Peace perform their official
39	39	duties with courage, integrity, and knowledge of the law, and
40	40	they contribute immeasurably to the stability of our justice
41	41	system, the safety of the citizens of Texas, and the peace and
42	42	order of our society; and
43	43	WHEREAS, In honor of the bicentennial of this
44	44	distinguished office, it is indeed fitting that a special day be
45	45	set aside to recognize the contributions to our state by these
46	46	esteemed public officials and to demonstrate our appreciation
47	47	for the important role they play in our state's judicial system
48	48	and in the safety and well-being of Texas citizens; now,
49	49	therefore, be it
50	50	RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 88th
51	51	Legislature, hereby commend the exemplary Texans who uphold this
52	52	vital and historic office and extend to all best wishes for an
53	53	enjoyable visit to the State Capitol and for a memorable
54	54	celebration of the bicentennial of the Office of Constable in
55	55	Texas; and, be it further
56	56	RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared in
57	57	honor of this special occasion.
58	58	Birdwell, Hughes, Kolkhorst
59	59	________________________________
60	60	President of the Senate
61	61	I hereby certify that the
62	62	above Resolution was adopted by
63	63	the Senate on March 7, 2023.
64	64	________________________________
65	65	Secretary of the Senate
66	66	________________________________
67	67	Member, Texas Senate
68	68	________________________________
69	69	Member, Texas Senate
70	70	________________________________
71	71	Member, Texas Senate