Sen. José Rodríguez voted Chairman of Senate Hispanic Caucus; Sen. Sylvia R. Garcia voted as Vice-Chair

AUSTIN – State Senator José Rodríguez was voted by members of the Senate Hispanic Caucus to be its next Chairman at the Caucus meeting Wednesday evening in Austin. State Senator Sylvia R. Garcia was elected as Vice Chair at the same meeting.

“Serving my District 29 constituents, the state of Texas and my Senate colleagues is a great honor that I humbly accept,” Rodríguez said. “I want to thank members of the Caucus for the trust they have shown, and past Chairman, Senator Carlos Uresti, for his work in steering the Caucus. I also want to congratulate Senator Sylvia R. Garcia for her selection as Vice Chair of the Caucus.

“I look forward to continuing work on pressing issues for the state, especially those highlighted by the Latino Summit that took place in Austin in October — immigration reform, education funding, access to healthcare, economic opportunities and civic engagement.”

Senator Garcia said: “I’m looking forward to serving as the Vice Chair of the Senate Hispanic Caucus with my good friend and new Chairman Jose Rodriguez. We worked very well together during the legislative session and while organizing the 2013 Latino Summit.

“It’s an honor to serve in a leadership position in the Hispanic caucus, and I’m eager to work with caucus members and other Latino leaders to create a Latino policy agenda for the next legislative session.”

The Texas Senate Hispanic Caucus was established in 1987. Its goals are:

• ·         To discuss, establish, promote, and monitor legislative initiatives that reflect our common goals and objectives for the betterment of the Texas Hispanic community;

• ·         To promote and support economic development, health, education, civic engagement and civil rights issues as they pertain to Hispanics in Texas;

• ·         To invite elected officials and selected individuals as guests to SHC meetings to make them aware of SHC priorities and to request their support;

• ·         To promote the employment and appointment of qualified eligible Hispanics and other minorities to state boards, agencies, and commissions, including university boards of regents, as appropriate;

• ·         And to be aware of the agendas of other statewide Hispanic and minority organizations, and to continue outreach and dialogue with such organizations.

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José Rodríguez represents Texas Senate District 29, which includes the counties of El Paso, Hudspeth, Culberson, Jeff Davis and Presidio. He represents both urban and rural, and more than 350 miles of Texas-Mexico border. Senator Rodríguez was elected in 2010; in addition to chairing the Senate Hispanic Caucus, he is Vice Chairman of the Jurisprudence Committee and is a member of the Criminal Justice, Veterans Affairs and Military Installations, and Government Organization committees. 

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