Conference Latina Trailblazer

	Leticia Van de Putte Texas State Senator District 26
	Senator Leticia Van de Putte, a pharmacist for more than 26 years, represents a large portion of San Antonio and Bexar County. A former-five term state representative, she is now serving her fourth term as a Texas State Senator for District 26. In 2002 she became the Chair of the Senate Hispanic Caucus and is currently the Chair of the Texas Senate Democratic Caucus. Nationally, Senator Van de Putte is a member of the National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators, where she served as President from 2003 to 2005. She has also been actively involved in the National Conference of State Legislatures. She served as a member of the Executive Committee for three years and is currently serving as President of NCSL, as the first Texan and first Hispanic to ever chair the organization. She will also serve on the Executive Committee of The Council of State Governments through 2006. Over the past two decades, Senator Van de Putte has been honored with numerous awards such as the Vietnam Veteran's of America's "Legislator of the Year Award," the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill "Texas Legislative Champion Award", the United Way of San Antonio "Children=s Championship Award", the League of United Latin American Citizens= ALegislative Recognition Award@, Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve "Seven Seals Award", the Texas Classroom Teachers Association "Legislative Star" Award, the Texas Pharmacy Association APharmacist of the Year@, the American Pharmacists Association's "Hubert H. Humphrey" Award named for a noted pharmacist and public servant, and numerous others. Most recently the Center for Policy Alternatives honored Senator Leticia Van de Putte with the "Arthur S. Fleming Leadership Award". This national award is presented to a leader who exemplifies the ideals of public service through the highest standards of performance. She is a strong advocate for children, veterans, improved access to health care, quality education, and economic development issues and has consistently authored and sponsored bills to assist families in securing opportunities. Senator Van de Putte has been a key author of bills that reformed our welfare system, revamped our Juvenile Code, and insured children. Multiple civic organizations and community groups have recognized Senator Van de Putte as one of the most effective, hardworking, sincere, and influential legislators in Texas. The Senator was a Kellogg Fellow at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government in 1993. She received her Bachelor of Science from the University of Texas at Austin, College of Pharmacy, and she is a 1973 graduate of Thomas Jefferson High School in San Antonio, Texas. Senator Van de Putte currently lives in San Antonio with her husband of 28 years, Pete, and has six great children: Nichole, Vanessa, Henry, Gregory, Isabella, and Paul, three of whom are in college and one in medical school.