FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2008
Law Enforcement & Safety Community Endorses Valinda Bolton
A "trusted" champion - keeping our children safe
Endorsed by: Austin Firefighters Association, Austin Police Associations (APA), Austin-Travis County EMS, Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas (CLEAT), Hudson Bend Firefighters (ESD #6), and Texas Municipal Police Association (TMPA), Travis County Sheriff’s Law Enforcement Association
(Austin) – Leading law enforcement and safety groups have announced their endorsement of State Representative Valinda Bolton. For over 20 years Valinda Bolton has worked to make our communities safer and stronger. As a leading voice in the fight to reform the Texas Youth Commission, as a nationally recognized leader on domestic violence and sexual assault issues, and as a legislator passing bills to support our first responders, Valinda Bolton has worked hand in hand with law enforcement.
“In just one term Rep. Bolton has become someone we trust. She listens and then she goes to work. Texas needs more people like her in the Capitol.” said Charlie Wilkison, Director of Public Affairs for Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas (CLEAT).
“Whether she’s working to strengthen criminal penalties for those who choose to break the law or working to make sure Texas officers have the tools they need to do their job—Valinda Bolton is a true friend of the Texas law enforcement officers and their families,” Wilkison said.
In her first year in the Legislature, Representative Valinda Bolton passed legislation that enables our first responders to raise the funds necessary for proper safety equipment and the facilities needed to serve those in our community hit by crisis.
“Our community has come to expect high quality services from our first responders. These men and women put themselves in harms way every day to protect our lives and property,” said Representative Bolton. “The least we can do is ensure they have adequate safety gear and the tools they need to protect us.”
“Representative Bolton was instrumental in carrying critical legislation for our community that allowed for local control of funding for our fire and emergency service district,” said Debbie Tanner-Jacobs, Commissioner for Emergency Service District #6. “We are the people she represents and she stepped up for everyone in ESD #6 and all the other ESDs across the State of Texas.”
Valinda Bolton was elected in 2006. Serving with distinction in the 80th Legislative session, Representative Valinda Bolton was awarded the 2007 Freshman of the Year Award by the Legislative Study Group for her commitment and dedication to sound public policy for Texas families.
Guided by her experience, strength of character and faith, Valinda came to the House of Representatives and listened to all sides, stood firmly for the best interests of the people of her district and Texas, and worked across partisan lines to find common ground to meet the challenges facing Texas.
As a freshman legislator she authored 18 pieces of legislation and successfully guided 6 bills through the legislative process and into law.