REP. AL EDWARDS FILES FOR RE-ELECTION

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DECEMBER 30, 2009


REP. AL EDWARDS SEEKS RE-ELECTION TO DISTRICT 146 SEAT

Houston, TX-- As expected, Representative Al Edwards formally announced today that he will be seeking re-election in 2010. After a productive legislative session, Al Edwards hopes to continue representing House District 146.

In his bid for re-election, Representative Edwards emphasizes his community involvement and significant accomplishments from the recent legislative session. His accomplishments include successfully authoring 4 bills which became law, as well as sponsoring and joint/co-authoring an additional 27 bills into law; collectively totaling 31 successful pieces of legislation becoming law out of the more than 99 bills with which he was directly involved, and cast over 1,700 votes for-or-against legislation.

Among many of Representative Edwards’ accomplishments is passing legislation to encourage additional primary care physicians in urban and rural areas, voted to establish the Holocaust Commission, and H.B. 2153, which requires homeless sex offenders to physically check in to law enforcement agencies. He also passed H.B. 3206 which ensures that industrial companies pay their fair share of taxes on pollution control equipment and the creation of a management district to encourage job growth in District 146 near the Astrodome.

Edwards played a role in many important issues this session that include authoring legislation which provided the necessary funding for 2010 small business tax cuts; supporting property tax exemptions for disabled veterans; also pay raises for teachers; joining efforts to establish a future pathway for University of Houston as a Tier One University; and successfully obtained additional funding for Houston area colleges and universities.

"When re-elected, I'll continue working diligently to represent the views of my constituents in Austin and work effectively to improve our area and the state as a whole," said State Representative Al Edwards. "I am returning to Austin as an ongoing advocate for the constituents of District 146. Seniority is useful in the Texas House of Representatives, and I am number three out of 150 members in seniority."

Al Edwards focuses on increasing access to affordable health care, enhancing public safety, and helping small businesses with job growth and development. He currently serves on the House Appropriations Committee, the Subcommittee on Criminal Justice, Defense & Veterans' Affairs and Rules & Resolutions Committees, and is a member of the House Democratic Caucus. He has represented District 146 for 15 sessions and is third highest ranking in seniority in the Texas House of Representatives. As a very attentive legislator, Edwards has never used a sick day in his 29 years of the legislature, having a perfect attendance record while doing the people's work.

Representative Edwards who received the Legislative Champion Award from the Texas Association of Community Health Centers for his role in the passage of H.B. 2154 this past session, has recently received the endorsements of Rev. S.J. Gilbert, Sr., President of the Houston Metropolitan Ministers Association, the Baptist Ministers Association of Houston, the Southside Ministers Association of Houston, and such notable community leaders as Rev. William “Bill” Lawson, Dr. D.Z. Cofield, Rev. J.J. Roberson, Rev. James Nash, Rev. T.R. Williams, Rev. Terry Anderson, Rev. Jimmie Dixon, Rev. Lamon Atkins, Rev. Rugley Monroe , Rev. F.N. Williams, Sr., Black American Voters, the CWA Union Local 6222 of Houston and many more.
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