The Honorable Kay Bailey Hutchison
United States Senator, Texas
WHEN: Friday, June 3, 2005, Noon to 1:30 PM
WHERE: Khmer Pavilion, Wyndham Anatole Hotel, Dallas, Texas
Complimentary valet parking provided at the Atrium entrance.
In 1993, Kay Bailey Hutchison was elected as the first woman to represent Texas in the U.S. Senate. Seven years later, more than four million Texans re-elected her to a second full term – the largest number of votes ever garnered in the state. In 2000, she was elected Vice Chairman of the Senate Republican Conference, becoming one of the top five leaders of Senate Republicans, and the only woman.
Senator Hutchison is a leading voice on foreign policy and national security issues and serves as a U.S. delegate to the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, commonly known as the Helsinki Commission.
As Chairman of the Military Construction Subcommittee and member of the Defense Subcommittee of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Hutchison plays a vital role in shaping America's defense policies. As a member of the Veterans' Affairs Committee, the Senator has fought for funding and recognition of the Gulf War Syndrome so veterans can receive treatment.
In the 107th Congress, the Senator served as Chairman and Ranking Republican of the Commerce Committee's Subcommittee on Aviation, where she played a major role in drafting the landmark airline security bill passed by Congress after the September 11 terrorist attacks.
With the convening of the 108th Congress in 2003, she became Chair of the Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Subcommittee, which enables her to set policies regarding Amtrak, ports and port security, and railroad shipping issues.
Senator Hutchison was the chief Senate sponsor of the marriage penalty tax relief bill, a key provision of the tax reform package signed into law in 2001. She is the author of the Homemaker IRA legislation, which significantly expanded retirement opportunities for stay-at-home spouses, and she wrote and passed the federal anti-stalking statute, which makes stalking across state lines a crime.
The "No Child Left Behind Act," landmark education reforms signed into law in early 2002, includes provisions written by the Senator to help recruit teachers from mid-career professionals and retirees; the parents' report card, which provides parents regular updates on the performance of their child's school; and remove barriers to local school districts that wish to offer single-sex schools and classrooms.
The Senator's opinion pieces on tax policy, transportation, foreign policy and national security issues have been published in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, The Los Angeles Times, London's Financial Times, and every daily newspaper in Texas.
Senator Hutchison grew up in La Marque, Texas, and graduated from the University of Texas and UT Law School. She was twice elected to the Texas House of Representatives. In 1990, she was elected Texas State Treasurer, where she trimmed her agency's budget more than any other state official while increasing returns on Texas' investments to an historic $1 billion annually. She spearheaded the successful fight against a state income tax and to put a cap on the state debt.
The Senator's heritage in Texas is historic. Thomas Rusk of Nacogdoches was the first Texan to serve in the U.S. Senate seat she currently holds. He and the Senator's great-great-grandfather, Charles S. Taylor, were friends and both signed the Texas Declaration of Independence. The Senator lives in Dallas with her husband, Ray, an attorney, and their daughter, Bailey, and son, Houston.
AWARDS AND RECOGNITION
- Woodrow Wilson Award for Public Service 2003
- LULAC Legislative Recognition Award 2003
- U.S.-Mexico Chamber of Commerce NAFTA Congressional Leadership Award 2002
- John C. Stennis Center for Public Service Lindy Boggs Award 2002
- International Multiple Myeloma Foundation, Ribbon of Hope Award 2002
- Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, National Leadership Award 2002
- Ladies' Home Journal Magazine 30 Most Powerful Women 2001
- MANA Hermana Award 2001
- Houston Youth Symphony and Ballet Cultural Leader Award 2001
- National Military Family Association Award for Service to Military Families 2001
- Border Texan of the Year 2000
- Green Key Water Resources Environment Award 2000
- CLEAT Award for Support of Law Enforcement 2000
- Eagle Award for Valued Commitment to Our Nation's Hispanic Community 2000
- The Seniors Coalition Senior Legislative Achievement Award 2000
- Texas Women's Chamber of Commerce 100 Most Influential
- Texas Women of the Century 1999
- Advocate for Education Award from The College Board 1999
- Texan of the Year, Texas Legislative Conference 1997
- Inducted into the Texas Women's Hall of Fame 1997
- Coastal Conservation Association's Silver Ingot Award 1997
- Republican Woman of the Year by the National Federation of Republican Women 1995
- Outstanding University of Texas Alumnus 1995
- Outstanding University of Texas Law School Alumnus 1995
- Named one of 20 Rising American Political Stars by USA Today Weekend 1990