[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 166 (Wednesday, December 15, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2137]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING TEXAS STATE REPRESENTATIVE JERRY MADDEN--2010 PUBLIC OFFICIAL 
                              OF THE YEAR

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. SAM JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 15, 2010

  Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, it is a privilege to 
recognize before the United States House of Representatives Governing 
magazine's 2010 Public Official of the Year, and my good friend from 
the great state of Texas, Jerry Madden.
  State Representative Madden has faithfully served the people of the 
67th district since his election to the Texas Legislature back in 1992. 
In his nine consecutive terms, he has held honored roles on twelve 
committees, including four years as the Chairman of the House Committee 
on Corrections where he is sitting Vice Chair.
  While Madden is the recipient of countless awards, including being 
named to Texas Monthly's 10 Best Legislators list and the University of 
Texas at Dallas' Distinguished Alumni group, this top-notch 
legislator's latest accolade comes as national recognition for turning 
the State of Texas into a shining model of corrections reform.
  A West Point trained engineer by trade, Madden tackled corrections 
reform with facts and statistics. He found that targeting a relatively 
small amount of state funds toward treatment, mental health, and 
rehabilitation programs, rather than spending billions on new prisons, 
would yield a decrease in the prison population. With that in mind, 
Madden and his colleagues on the Committee on Corrections formulated 
public policy that worked. They turned a projected 15,000 inmate rise 
in the Texas prison population into a population decrease, saving 
taxpayers money and, more importantly, rescuing lives along the way.
  I have known Representative Madden for over a quarter of a century. I 
have seen him rise from a local leader to the national spokesperson for 
Texas on Criminal Justice. I can vouch for the testimony he has given 
Congress and know the respect that national organizations have for his 
work. In fact, just this month Jerry served as a guest speaker at my 
Congressional Youth Advisory Council meeting where he shared his 
extensive knowledge of state government with local high school 
students.
  For his service to America in the United States Army, his service to 
Texas in the State Legislature, and his priceless contribution to our 
society through innovative corrections reform, it is with pride and 
gratitude that I commend State Representative Jerry Madden for a job 
exceptionally well done.
  To my good friend--congratulations, God bless you, and I salute you!

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