Joe Straus Named Texan Of The Year By Legislative Conference

NEW BRAUNFELS, Texas, Nov. 24, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Texas Speaker of the House of Representatives Joe Straus has been named the 2015 Texan of the Year by the Texas Legislative Conference, the well known annual statewide forum that is marking its 49th year next March.

Straus will be presented with the award Thursday evening, March 26, at a special reception in his honor at the New Braunfels Civic/Convention Center. He will be joining an array of prominent past honorees since 1974 including Barbara Jordan, Laura Bush, David Robinson and John Connally.

The Texas Legislative Conference is a nonpartisan organization of Texas business and political leaders who meet annually in New Braunfels to focus on public policy issues. This year's topics on March 27 will include the Economics of Energy Exploration, Federal Intervention and Texas Infrastructure, and Technology Impacts on Transportation.

According to Conference Chair Carlton Schwab of the Texas Economic Development Council, "Straus has set a respectful and inclusive tone in the House that also transcends into other bodies at the Capitol. His leadership in the last session created remarkable achievements for Texas, and his experience will be critical in the upcoming 84th Session."

Straus was first elected to the House of Representatives in a special election in February 2005 and was elected Speaker of the Texas House in January 2009 by his colleagues. He was re-elected Speaker in 2011 and 2013. His goals include the promotion of economic development, improving education, increasing budget transparency, and securing infrastructure needed for private-sector growth.

Straus led efforts in the last session to address the state's severe water shortages. Statewide voters approved the House water plan, which did not raise taxes, by a 3-1 margin in November 2013. Earlier this month, voters approved a similar plan for state transportation needs without a tax increase.

A native San Antonian, Straus is a fifth-generation Texan and graduate of Vanderbilt University. He has an insurance, investments and executive benefits practice in San Antonio and represents District 121 in the Texas House of Representatives. He and his wife Julie have two daughters.

Information on registration and tickets for both the Thursday evening, March 26 Texan of the Year Reception and the Friday, March 27 half-day conference program may be obtained from the Greater New Braunfels Chamber of Commerce at (830) 608-2816 or by emailing [email protected].

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SOURCE Greater New Braunfels Chamber of Commerce