AUSTIN -- Senator Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa has issued a proclamation honoring Hidalgo County Clerk J.D. Salinas III who has been named County Clerk of the Year for the State of Texas.

"J.D.'s selection is a result of his outstanding leadership skills and contributions to the citizens of Hidalgo County," Senator Juan Hinojosa said. "He has worked diligently on behalf of Hidalgo County residents and has continually thought of innovative ways to make the county clerk's office more efficient."

Mr. J.D. Salinas III was named County Clerk of the Year for the State of Texas at the County and District Clerks Association Conference, which was held June 27 through July 1, 2004.

He was first elected county clerk of Hidalgo County in 1999 and was reelected in 2003. During his tenure, he has collected $11 million in court costs and fines in the last four years, and has implemented the Random Automated Assignment System for court cases; he has also worked on the resolution regarding unfunded mandates.

Ms. Salinas holds a bachelor's degree from Texas A&M University and a master's degree in public administration from the University of Texas--Pan American. He was selected County Clerk of the Year for the Southern Region of the State of Texas in 2000 and was nominated for the state title in both 2000 and 2003.

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