AUSTIN -- State Sen. Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa, D-McAllen, was sworn into the Texas Senate Tuesday in a ceremony at the State Capitol. Lt. Gov. Bill Ratliff served as master of ceremonies, and Thomas R. Phillips, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, administered the oath. "I am extremely proud to be a member of the Texas Senate representing District 20," Hinojosa said. "I'm looking forward to rolling up my sleeves and getting to work."

Hinojosa served eight terms in the House of Representatives and was elected to the Texas Senate in April 2002. During his 16 years in the House, Hinojosa has tackled such issues as higher education, criminal justice reform and health care. In the 77th Legislative Session, Hinojosa authored House Bill 236 to prohibit the execution of the mentally retarded, offering life imprisonment as an option to the death penalty. He also sponsored Senate Bill 3, which established procedures for DNA testing, use and preservation.

During the ceremony, Sen. Hinojosa drew a two-year term for the Senate.

Hinojosa's new office will be located in GE.5 in the Capitol. His Senate staff includes Chief of Staff, Rene Ramirez; Jerry Haddican, General Counsel; Rachel Hernandez, Policy Analyst; Melissa Sattley, Media Relations; Gloriana Guerra, Administrative Aide; Carlos Gutierrez, Legislative Aide.

Omar Ochoa will serve as a Legislative Intern as part of the Gregory Luna Scholar program, and Jeanette Tejeda will serve as a Legislative Intern with the Frank Tejeda Graduate Fellow program.

Senate District 20 includes western Hidalgo, Nueces, Brooks and Jim Wells counties.

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