H.R. No. 103

	R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, Proud members of the Justices of the Peace and
	Constables Association of Texas are gathering in Austin on
	February 7, 2023, for Justices of the Peace and Constables Day at
	the State Capitol; and
	WHEREAS, The office of justice of the peace, first
	established in 1362 by King Edward of England, and the office of
	constable, first established in 1215 by King John of England, were
	two of the first offices established in the American colonies in
	1620; both offices were created by the Texas Constitution
	approximately two centuries later and continue to serve a vital
	role in the system of county government; and
	WHEREAS, Justices of the peace are an integral part of the
	Texas judiciary; they exercise jurisdiction in criminal
	misdemeanor cases punishable by fine or sanctions and exercise
	civil jurisdiction in matters in controversy up to $20,000;
	justices of the peace preside over those courts closest to the
	people; and
	WHEREAS, Constables serve as officers of the court as
	bailiffs, execute civil and criminal process issued by Texas
	courts, and enforce criminal laws as certified peace officers; the
	first known constable to serve in Texas was appointed in 1823; and
	WHEREAS, The men and women who accept the responsibilities of
	the offices of justice of the peace and constable perform their
	official duties with integrity, dedication, and the required
	knowledge of the law, thereby contributing immeasurably to the
	justice system, the safety of the citizens of Texas, and the peace
	and order of our society; and
	WHEREAS, For more than 75 years, the Justices of the Peace and
	Constables Association of Texas has represented the interests of
	justices of the peace, constables, and members of their staffs
	across the Lone Star State, and today the organization boasts a
	membership of over 2,000; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas
	Legislature hereby recognize February 7, 2023, as Justices of the
	Peace and Constables Day at the State Capitol; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
	prepared for the association as an expression of high regard by the
	Texas House of Representatives.
	Murr
	Phelan Guerra Murr
	Allen Guillen Neave Criado
	Allison Harless Noble
	Anch a Harris of Anderson Oliverson
	Anderson Harris of Williamson Ordaz
	Ashby Harrison Orr
	Bailes Hayes Ortega
	Bell of Kaufman Hefner Patterson
	Bell of Montgomery Hernandez Paul
	Bernal Herrero Perez
	Bhojani Hinojosa Plesa
	Bonnen Holland Price
	Bowers Howard Ramos
	Bryant Hull Raney
	Buckley Hunter Raymond
	Bucy Isaac Reynolds
	Bumgarner Jetton Rogers
	Burns Johnson of Dallas Romero, Jr.