TITLE: Commending Judge Nicholas Chu for his service to Travis County during the COVID-19 pandemic.

SUMMARY: Commending Judge Nicholas Chu for his service to Travis County during the COVID-19 pandemic.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, The Honorable Nicholas Chu, justice of the peace for Precinct 5 in Travis County, has demonstrated remarkable initiative and commitment to service during the COVID-19 pandemic; and WHEREAS, In 2017, Judge Nick Chu was elected to office, becoming the first Asian American justice of the peace in the State of Texas; after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, he was the first judge in Texas to preside over a fully virtual jury trial and the first in the nation to preside over a fully virtual criminal jury trial; he serves as chair of the Texas Supreme Court COVID-19 Response Task Force for Justice Courts and as a member of its Remote Proceedings Task Force; throughout the pandemic, he has been a leader in protecting renters from eviction and in implementing appropriate protocols to limit the public's exposure to the COVID-19 virus, and measures he has developed have been adopted by courts across Texas; and WHEREAS, The first in his family to become an attorney, Judge Chu earned his bachelor's degree in government from The University of Texas and his law degree from Baylor University; he has served on the executive committee of the American Bar Association National Conference of Specialized Court Judges and as a faculty member of the Texas Justice Court Training Center; he has also held many leadership positions in the Democratic Party in Texas, and he has been the chair of the Committee on Political Education for the Central Labor Council; and WHEREAS, In all his endeavors, Judge Chu benefits from the love and support of his wife, Kathryn, and his daughter, Vivia; and WHEREAS, Nick Chu's dedication, integrity, and spirit of innovation have greatly benefited the citizens of Travis County during a time of crisis, and he is truly deserving of special recognition for his impressive efforts; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas Legislature hereby commend Judge Nicholas Chu for his service to Travis County during the COVID-19 pandemic and extend to him sincere best wishes for continued success in his important work; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for Judge Chu as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Israel Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 740 was adopted by the House on April 30, 2021, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House