TITLE: Recognizing Frank Follis on the occasion of his retirement.

SUMMARY: Recognizing Frank Follis on the occasion of his retirement.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to recognize the Honorable Frank Follis, who is retiring as judge for Guadalupe County Court of Law Number 2 on February 28, 2021, after 19 years of distinguished service on the bench and a 47-year career in the field of criminal justice; and WHEREAS, A graduate of the University of Houston School of Law, Frank Follis began his long and distinguished career by serving as a criminal defense attorney; he eventually left private practice to serve as an assistant district attorney, and in this role as a felony prosecutor, he tried numerous criminal cases ranging from theft to capital murder; and WHEREAS, In 2001, the Texas Legislature created the Guadalupe County Court of Law Number 2 to help the county's single judge manage a backlog of misdemeanor and criminal cases; in January of 2003, Frank Follis became the first to ascend to the newly formed bench, and he is retiring without having faced a single challenger in his reelection bids; and WHEREAS, Judge Follis worked with the county attorney and county clerk to reduce the number of the county's backlogged cases, and he succeeded in attaining a 50 percent decrease in his first three years; and WHEREAS, Throughout his terms on the bench, Judge Follis has strived for justice for all citizens of Guadalupe County and has established a culture of excellence in the court while steadfastly upholding the values of faith, family, and freedom; he has been a fair-minded judge who has consistently focused on the safety of the county's residents, and his presence as county judge will be greatly missed; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 87th Legislature, hereby commend Judge Frank Follis on his outstanding career and his exemplary tenure as judge for Guadalupe County Court of Law Number 2 and extend to him best wishes in all his future endeavors; and, be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for him as an expression of esteem from the Texas Senate. Campbell President of the Senate I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on March 2, 2021.