April 26, 2012 To whom it may concern, Thank you for bringing to my attention the recent questioning of my votes

pertaining to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered (GLBT) issues. These allegations are a far-stretch at best and I assure you I have, and will remain, a staunch advocate for my longtime friends in the GLBT community. As the member of the El Paso Delegation ranked by Rice University (Mark Jones, Chair, Political Science Department) as the most centrist to our Democratic ideals for two sessions in a row, I find these politically motivated attacks groundless and perpetuated only for political gain. As you are aware, in the 82nd Legislature I was a member of the minority party in rule. This made the climate in the House tough and sometimes led to contentious debates on the House floor. While my colleagues and I fought to minimize the majority partys impact, it was important to get them on the record when it came to these issues. While the votes mentioned are amendments and not bills, I feel it important to share with you a brief history of our offices stance on GLBT issues. The 81st session, my freshman term, I was honored to join my friend and colleague Chairman Garnet Coleman in filing House Bill 3746 relating to prevention of discrimination and harassment in public schools. This would have required school districts to provide training to employees regarding bullying in our schools for all protected classes. Also during the 81st, I was a joint author on House Bill 824 that would allow for a finding of conduct constituting a hate crime in a juvenile court proceeding. It was important to allow the then Texas Youth Commission, now Texas Juvenile Justice Department, to present the adjudication of a juvenile for engaging in delinquent conduct constituting an offense in an affirmative finding to the court. While the legislation did not pass in the 81 st, it led to my continued work in the 82nd. During the 82nd session, I was proud to joint author House Bill 1386 relating to the public health threat presented by youth suicide. The Department of State Health Services (DSHS) and the Texas Education Agency (TEA) are now required to provide an annually updated list of recommended best practice-based early mental health intervention and suicide prevention programs in schools; districts are then required to adopt and implement a policy. I was also honored to joint author House Bill 665 relating to the prohibition of employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity or expression. House Bill 2227, which I joint authored, related to an offense committed against a person because of bias or prejudice on the basis of gender identity or expression. These bills did not pass but my work and dedication did not waver. We were able to pass House Bill 1942 in the 82nd; this bill amended the law relating to bullying. It was a preventative approach to reducing bullying in Texas schools and provides a minimal framework for districts to use in adopting and implementing a bullying policy. HB 1942 requires the program to provide for prevention of and education concerning unwanted physical or verbal aggression and sexual harassment in school, on school grounds, and in school vehicles.

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For your reference, I have also enclosed correspondence sent from my office to then El Paso Independent School District Superintendent Dr. Lorenzo Garcia regarding implementing legislation passed in the 79 th Legislature. Also enclosed is a letter sent to Dr. Michael Zolkoski, Superintendent of Ysleta Independent School District regarding a very concerning incident that took place on the campus of Hanks High School. And lastly is a letter sent to Alex Guzman, an advocate in our community. While the questioning of my amendment votes is fair, although politically motivated and driven by an opponent who has never bothered to actually vote in any election, it is more important and productive to focus and share with you the work we have accomplished. I remain committed to furthering the quest of equal treatment for all Texans. Sincerely, Marisa Mrquez