Senator Tommy Williams of the Woodlands (left) and Senator Robert Nichols of Jacksoville welcome the McDowell boys to the Texas Senate. Gabriel, 8 and Andrew, 6, were honored for starting "Craving a Cure", which drew bakers from around the state to enter a cupcake competition, with proceeds going to support cancer research.

Senator Leticia Van de Putte of San Antonio poses with a model of the proposed Vietnam Veterans' Memorial and its artist, Duke Sundt (right) as the Senate honored the contributions of Vietnam veterans. Also pictured are Robert Floyd (center), Chair, Board of Directors of the Capitol of Texas Vietnam Veterans Monument, Incorporated, and Terry Burkett, Chair of the Veterans Outreach Committee.

Tyler Senator Kevin Eltife talks about proposed cuts to state health services at a Finance Committee meeting on Friday.

El Paso Senator Jose Rodriguez questions a witness at a committee meeting this week.

Senator Judith Zaffirini opens a Higher Education Committee meeting on Wednesday Morning.

Senator John Whitmire of Houston (left) greets Col. Rick Noriega, a former member of the Texas House of Representatives, as the Senate honored the Army's Senior Service College Fellows Program on Thursday.