Awards

National Honors:

•National HIV/AIDS Partnership Red Ribbon Award, 2005

•Eli Lilly Reintegration Award, 2005

•Outstanding Black Caucus Chair, 2004

•Center for Voting and Democracy/ Common Cause Hero of Democracy Award, 2003

•Governing Magazine, Public Officials of the Year List, 2001

•Families USA Foundation Consumer Advocate Award, 2000

•National Black Caucus of State Legislators Legislator of the Year, 2000

•National Alliance for the Mentally Ill Distinguished Service Award, 1997

•American Psychiatric Association Jacob R. Javits Public Service Award, 1997

•Hispanic Journal Ten Best Legislators List, 2001

•Flemming Fellowship, 1995

State Honors:

•National Alliance for the Mentally Ill - Texas Chapter Legislator of the Year, 2005

•Texas Monthly Ten Best Legislators List, 2001 and 1995

•Texas Association of Community Health Centers Health Care Champion, 2001

•Coalition of Texans with Disabilities Public Servant of the Year, 2001

•Children At Risk Voice for Children Award, 2001

•Women Legislators' Lobby Women's Health Leader, 2001

•Houston Community College Trailblazer Award, 2000

•Texas Physical Therapy Association Legislator of the Year, 2000

•Mental Health Association in Texas Ring of Honor Inductee, 2000

•Texas Recreation & Parks Society Legislator of the Year, 2000

•Texas Family Planning Association Leadership Award, 2000

•Texas Human Rights Foundation Policy Advocate, 2000

•Mental Health Association of Greater Houston Legislator of the Year, 2000

•Texas Freedom Network Hero for Children, 2000

•Texas Association for Home Care People's Choice Award, 1999

•Texas Academy of Family Physicians Patient Advocacy Award, 1999

•Texas Mental Health Association Legislator of the Year, 1999

•Texas Hospital Association Hospital Advocacy Tribute Award, 1999

•Texas Association of Community Health Centers Legislator of the Year, 1999

•Texas Medicine Best Legislators Award, 1999

•Texas Monthly Ten Best Legislators List, Honorable Mention, 1999 and 1997

•AIDS Action Leadership Award, 1998

•Texas Council of Child Welfare Boards Legislator of the Year, 1998

•Texas School Health Association John P. McGovern Award, 1998

•Texas Association for Marriage and Family Therapy Legislator of the Year, 1997

•Texas Committee to Prevent Child Abuse Legislator of the Year, 1997

•Texas Alliance for the Mentally Ill Legislator of the Year, 1997 and 1995

•Texas 4-H Youth Development Foundation Outstanding Service Award, 1996

•University of St. Thomas Outstanding Young Alumni Leadership Award, 1996

•Texas Observer Top Legislators, 1995

•Texas Association for the Education of Young Children Elected Official of the Year, 1995

•Prairie View A&M University Distinguished Public Service Award, 1993