User:Curtisbeaumont/Solomon Ortiz Jr.

Solomon Ortiz Jr. (born July 21, 1977) is a Democratic member of the Texas House of Representatives, representing Corpus Christi, Texas, since his election in 2006.

Birth, Education, and Early Career
State Representative Solomon Ortiz Jr. was born and raised in Corpus Christi, Texas. He attended high school at Incarnate Word Academy and then began his college career at Texas A&M University--Corpus Christi. Ortiz went on to graduate from Texas A&M University -- College Station with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics.

After college, Solomon worked for the Corpus Christi Independent School District at the Adult Learning Center, where he taught math to GED students. Solomon later worked at a local non-profit foundation that focused on visiting schools to teach children about the dangers of drugs and alcohol. The Fighting to Rid Gangs in America Foundation also sponsored mentoring classes, computer classes, an after-school meal program, a summer lunch program and various other activities to keep children off drugs and alcohol.

Early political efforts
He ran for Nueces County Democratic Party Chairman in 2002 and won a three man race without a run-off, becoming the youngest elected party chairman in Texas. He served two terms for a total of four years. As party chair, he administered the primary elections and managed the election budget. During his tenure, he initiated real-time filing updates and a county-wide voter registration project.

State Representative
Representative Ortiz, Jr. was first elected to the Texas House of Representatives in a special election in November 2006. He was sworn in November 25th by his father, United States Congressman Solomon P. Ortiz Sr., in Corpus Christi.

81st Session
(2009–2010) Rep. Ortiz' major accomplishments include legislation securing funding for a new mechanical engineering program at TAMUCC, promoting economic growth in Corpus Christi's industrial and tourism sectors, and improving parents access to their children's records. He has also fought to legalize needle exchange programs that fight the spread of HIV and other diseases, to simplify and streamline the early voting and voter registration process, and to reform and secure the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association.

80th Session
(2007–2008) Rep. Ortiz was appointed to the Law Enforcement, Rules and Resolutions, and Economic Development Committees. During the 80th Legislative Session, Rep. Ortiz fought to raise teacher salaries, increase the number of children who have health insurance, and fund cancer research. He authored legislation to legalize needle exchange programs to fight the spread of HIV and other diseases, an effort which culminated in the state allowing a needle exchange pilot program in Bexar County. Rep. Ortiz also filed bills to restore cuts made to the children's health insurance program in 2003 and to require insurers provide maternity coverage to expectant mothers. He passed an amendment designating TAMUCC as the institution responsible for collecting and managing elevation data from across the state that helps prevent and prepare for flooding, and another amendment allowing a Grand Prix race to take place in Corpus Christi. He also passed a bill allowing parents the right to access their children's criminal records, and successfully fought to protect Corpus Christi's water rights. Next session Ortiz will re-introduce legislation to create a professional engineering school at TAMUCC and expand current programs.

Committee assignments

 * '''House Committee on Corrections
 * '''House Committee on Defense & Veteran's Affairs
 * '''House Committee on House Administration
 * '''House Select Committee on Federal Legislation
 * '''House Select Committee on Federal Economic Stabilization Funding
 * House Subcommittee on Energy (Chairman)