The Mexican American Legislative Caucus is a 501(c)(6) non-profit organization composed of members of the Texas House of Representatives committed to addressing issues of particular importance to Latinos across the state.

History

The Mexican American Legislative Caucus (MALC) was founded in 1973 in the Texas House of Representatives by a small group of lawmakers of Mexican American heritage for the purpose of strengthening their numbers and better representing a united Latino constituency across the state. MALC is the oldest and largest Latino legislative caucus in the United States. In the 1990s, recognizing the growth of the Hispanic population in Texas and anticipating a new ethnic majority, MALC opened membership eligibility to House members of any race or ethnicity who represent majority-Latino constituencies.

Mission

Latinos today represent Texas’ fastest growing political and economic sector. To meet the needs of this rapidly growing population, MALC serves as an information clearinghouse to Caucus members and non-members alike. By researching the implications of policy on Texas' Hispanic communities and by voting together, the Mexican American Legislative Caucus ensures that the interests of all Texans are represented. MALC’s educational outreach initiatives, conducted between bi-annual sessions of the Texas Legislature, strive to raise the level of Latino engagement in Texas government and politics.

Membership

As of 2013, MALC had a membership of 40 Democratic House members from all parts of the state, and is the second-largest caucus in Texas. Members are on all but 3 House Committees in the Texas House of Representatives. MALC members vote as a bloc on consequential matters for Latino constituents. 2013 Officers Chairman Trey Martinez Fischer, San Antonio Vice-Chairman Eddie Rodriguez, Austin Secretary Armando "Mando" Martinez, Weslaco Treasurer Mary Gonzalez, El Paso Legal Counsel Ana Hernandez Luna, Houston Roberto Alonzo, Dallas Carol Alvarado, Houston Rafael M. Anchía, Dallas Lon Burnam, Fort Worth Terry Canales, Edinburg Garnet Coleman, Houston Philip Cortez, San Antonio Dawnna Dukes, Austin Joe Farias, San Antonio Jessica Farrar, Houston Larry Gonzales, Round Rock John Garza, San Antonio Larry Gonzales, Round Rock Naomi Gonzalez, El Paso Bobby Guerra, Hidalgo Ryan Guillen, Rio Grande City Roland Gutierrez, San Antonio Abel Herrero, Robstown Tracy O. King, Eagle Pass Oscar Longoria, Weslaco Jose Manuel Lozano, Kingsville Eddie Lucio, III, San Benito Marisa Marquez, El Paso Ruth McClendon, San Antonio José Menéndez, San Antonio Joseph "Joe" Moody, El Paso Sergio Muñoz, Mission Elliott Naishtat, Austin Alfonso "Poncho" Nevárez, Eagle Pass René Oliveira, Brownsville Mary Ann Perez, Houston Joseph Picket, El Paso Richard Raymond Pena, Laredo Justin Rodriguez, San Antonio Jason Villalba, Dallas Michael Villarreal, San Antonio Armando Walle, Houston

Sources