[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 15] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page 22261] [From the U.S. 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! ____________________