Laredo, TX – The Dean Senator Judith Zaffirini Justice Center was dedicated Dec. 10 in Laredo, marking the first local courthouse named after a woman in Texas.

Webb County Judge Tano Tijerina and Commissioners Wawi Tijerina, John Galo, Jesse Gonzalez and Ricky Jaime voted unanimously to rename the courthouse last February, soon after Senator Zaffirini became the first woman Dean of the Texas Senate.

“My name may be on the building,” Dean Senator Zaffirini said, “but it represents the hundreds of judges, attorneys, advocates, staff and others who have collaborated over the years to enhance access to justice for all.”

The dozens of judges from the federal, state and local levels of government who attended the renaming ceremony included Judge Andy Oldham of the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, who introduced Dean Senator Zaffirini at the celebratory luncheon; Chief Justice Nathan Hecht, who introduced her at the dedication, and six other justices of the Texas Supreme Court; Chief Justice Rebeca Martinez and justices, 4th Court of Appeals; and district, county, county court-at-law, justice of the peace and municipal judges.

Dean Senator Zaffirini made history as the first woman Dean of the Senate last Dec. 31. She succeeds 24 men who held the title since 1909, when it was first assigned to the longest-serving senator. The seventh of only 25 women who have served with 952 male senators in 88 Texas Legislatures, she and Eddie Bernice Johnson joined Cyndi Krier in 1987, marking the first time more than one woman served in the 31-member body. Today there are 9 women senators.

Dean Senator Zaffirini also is the namesake of the student success center at Texas A&M International University; an elementary school, library, park, road and soccer mini-pitch in Laredo; a patient suite at the UT Dell Seton Medical Center; four endowed scholarships; and two grant programs.

Photo 1 Credit: Alice Herrera, Webb County

Dean Senator Judith Zaffirini addresses the audience at the dedication ceremony of the Dean Senator Judith Zaffirini Justice Center in Webb County. Stage guests included (L-R) Commissioner Rosaura “Wawi” Tijerina, County Judge Tano Tijerina and Judge Victor Villarreal.

Photo 2 Credit: Gray Hawn

A procession of dozens of judges from the federal and statewide to the district and municipal levels, all wearing their black robes, initiate the dedication of the Dean Senator Judith Zaffirini Justice Center. They included Chief Justice Nathan Hecht, Texas Supreme Court, who introduced her; Judge Andy Oldham of the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, who introduced her at the celebratory luncheon that followed; six other members of the Texas Supreme Court; six federal judges; and Chief Rebeca Martinez and other justices of the 4th Court of Appeals.

Photo 3 Credit: Steve Benesh

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