Awards & Recognition
- Harvey Milk Award
- Legislator of the Year, North Texas Crime Commission
- Big Voice for Little Texans, Texas CASA
- Paul Vasquez Award, Latino Labor Leadership Council
- Legislative Leadership Award, Texas Corrections Association
- Champion of Women's Health, Planned Parenthood
- Frank Tejeda Award for Public Service, Texas State Teachers Association
- Eleanor Tinsley Award, GLBT Political Caucus
- "Humane-itarian" Award, Texas Humane Legislative Network
- Legislative Excellence Award, Texas Municipal Police Association
- Legislative Star, Texas Classroom Teachers Association
- Champion of Equality, Equality Texas
- Texas Heroes, Harris County Democratic Party
- Legislator of the Year, Justice of the Peace and Constables Association
- Friend of Education, Texas Classroom Teachers Association
- Legislative Queery Award, Texas LGBT Community
-
Governing Magazine, 2010 Public Official of the Year
- 1993, 2003, 2005, 2011 Texas Monthly, 10 Best Legislator
- Distinguished Alumni, University of Houston Alumni Association
- Texas Pets Alive Legislative Courage Award
- 100% score on the Humane Scorecard published by the Texas Humane Legislation Network and the Humane Society of the United
States
- Recognized by the Texas Humane Legislation Network and Houston
PetSet
