Mexican American Legislative Caucus
The Mexican American Legislative Caucus is a 501(c)(6) non-profit organization composed of members of the Texas House of Representatives committed to addressing issues of particular importance to Latinos across the state.
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History
The Mexican American Legislative Caucus (MALC) was founded in 1973 in the Texas House of Representatives by a small group of lawmakers of Mexican American heritage for the purpose of strengthening their numbers and better representing a united Latino constituency across the state. MALC is the oldest and largest Latino legislative caucus in the United States.
In the 1990s, recognizing the growth of the Hispanic population in Texas and anticipating a new ethnic majority, MALC opened membership eligibility to House members of any race or ethnicity who represent majority-Latino constituencies.
Mission
Latinos today represent Texas’ fastest growing political and economic sector. To meet the needs of this rapidly growing population, MALC serves as an information clearinghouse to Caucus members and non-members alike. By researching the implications of policy on Texas' Hispanic communities and by voting together, the Mexican American Legislative Caucus ensures that the interests of all Texans are represented.
MALC’s educational outreach initiatives, conducted between bi-annual sessions of the Texas Legislature, strive to raise the level of Latino engagement in Texas government and politics.
Membership
As of 2013, MALC had a membership of 40 Democratic House members from all parts of the state, and is the second-largest caucus in Texas. Members are on all but 3 House Committees in the Texas House of Representatives. MALC members vote as a bloc on consequential matters for Latino constituents.
2013 Officers
Chairman Trey Martinez Fischer, San Antonio
Vice-Chairman Eddie Rodriguez, Austin
Secretary Armando "Mando" Martinez, Weslaco
Treasurer Mary Gonzalez, El Paso
Legal Counsel Ana Hernandez Luna, Houston
Roberto Alonzo, Dallas
Carol Alvarado, Houston
Rafael M. Anchía, Dallas
Lon Burnam, Fort Worth
Terry Canales, Edinburg
Garnet Coleman, Houston
Philip Cortez, San Antonio
Dawnna Dukes, Austin
Joe Farias, San Antonio
Jessica Farrar, Houston
Larry Gonzales, Round Rock
John Garza, San Antonio
Larry Gonzales, Round Rock
Naomi Gonzalez, El Paso
Bobby Guerra, Hidalgo
Ryan Guillen, Rio Grande City
Roland Gutierrez, San Antonio
Abel Herrero, Robstown
Tracy O. King, Eagle Pass
Oscar Longoria, Weslaco
Jose Manuel Lozano, Kingsville
Eddie Lucio, III, San Benito
Marisa Marquez, El Paso
Ruth McClendon, San Antonio
José Menéndez, San Antonio
Joseph "Joe" Moody, El Paso
Sergio Muñoz, Mission
Elliott Naishtat, Austin
Alfonso "Poncho" Nevárez, Eagle Pass
René Oliveira, Brownsville
Mary Ann Perez, Houston
Joseph Picket, El Paso
Richard Raymond Pena, Laredo
Justin Rodriguez, San Antonio
Jason Villalba, Dallas
Michael Villarreal, San Antonio
Armando Walle, Houston