TITLE: Congratulating David M. Cobos on his retirement as Midland County justice of the peace for Precinct 2.

SUMMARY: Congratulating David M. Cobos on his retirement as Midland County justice of the peace for Precinct 2.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, The Honorable David M. Cobos retired as Midland County justice of the peace for Precinct 2 on February 1, 2025, drawing to a close a distinguished 46-year career in the justice system; and WHEREAS, Appointed justice of the peace in 1997 to fill an unexpired term, Judge Cobos won his subsequent elections unopposed; in 1998, he implemented the Justice Court Alternative Sentencing Program/Teen Leadership Program, which was designed to divert juvenile offenders from the criminal justice system and reduce the school dropout rate; the initiative was featured on ABC World News Tonight and received the Texas Association of Counties Best Practices Innovation Award and the Justice of the Peace and Constables Association Best Practices Award; and WHEREAS, Judge Cobos also worked to make the judicial process more efficient and accessible to the public, overseeing such modernization efforts as the introduction of electronic filing and online payment options for fines; dedicated to his profession, he served JPCA as director of District 4 and chair of the Justice of the Peace Legislative Committee; among numerous other accolades, he received the prestigious JPCA T. A. Vines Award, and he was named the 2004 and 2005 JPCA Judge of the Year and the 2009 West Texas JPCA Judge of the Year; and WHEREAS, A graduate of Hardin-Simmons University, Judge Cobos joined the Midland County Sheriff's Office in 1979 and gained experience as a jailer, patrol officer, and major crimes investigator; he played an instrumental role in the creation of the highly effective Midland Crime Stoppers Program in 1984, and three years later, he was appointed state director of Texas Crime Stoppers; serving in three gubernatorial administrations, he rose to become deputy executive director of the Governor's Criminal Justice Division; and WHEREAS, Over the course of more than four and a half decades, David Cobos demonstrated wisdom, integrity, and a deep commitment to the fair administration of justice, earning the respect and admiration of his colleagues and fellow citizens alike; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the 89th Legislature of the State of Texas hereby congratulate the Honorable David M. Cobos on his retirement as Midland County justice of the peace for Precinct 2 and extend to him sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for Judge Cobos as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives and Senate. Craddick President of the Senate Speaker of the House I certify that H.C.R. No. 67 was adopted by the House on March 10, 2025, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House I certify that H.C.R. No. 67 was adopted by the Senate on March 19, 2025, by a viva-voce vote. Secretary of the Senate APPROVED: Date Governor