08 LC 95
0830
House
Resolution 1790
By:
Representatives McKillip of the
115th,
Heard of the
114th,
Smith of the
113th,
and Benfield of the
85th
A
RESOLUTION
Recognizing
and commending Judge Kent Lawrence for his exemplary service to the citizens of
Georgia; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS,
Judge Kent Lawrence of Athens-Clarke County created the state's first DUI and
drug court in February, 2001, for high-risk drivers prone to repeat offenses for
driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol; and
WHEREAS,
Judge Lawrence took the initiative to create the impaired driving program to
reduce recidivism rates for DUI offenders, and as a result of his efforts, the
recidivism rate for graduates of his program is a minute 1.8 percent;
and
WHEREAS,
at 12 months before graduation, research has shown that participants in this
program are three times less likely to be arrested on a DUI charge; at 24 months
prior to graduation, participants are four times less likely to be arrested on a
DUI charge; and as a whole, participants are 20 percent less likely to be
arrested for a new felony offense; and
WHEREAS,
not only has Judge Lawrence improved the safety of Athens-Clarke County drivers,
he has assisted in training 11 other DUI courts throughout Georgia, and those
programs have similarly positive results; and
WHEREAS,
the DUI court was recently recognized on February 29, 2008, as one of only four
national academy courts certified by the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration and the National Drug Court Institute to conduct training
programs for courts across the country planning to implement a DUI
accountability court program; and
WHEREAS,
it is abundantly fitting and proper for this body to recognize with
particularity the outstanding accomplishments of this extraordinary
individual.
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of
this body join to recognize Judge Kent Lawrence and commend him for his
outstanding efforts to eliminate DUI recidivism rates.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized
and directed to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to Judge Kent
Lawrence.