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 Senator Kel Seliger named ASSIST 2009 Legislator of the
Year
ASSIST is proud to name Senator Kel Seliger as the 2009 Legislator of the
Year. He has been a friend to the security profession in Texas and has fought tirelessly on its behalf. During the past session of the Texas Legislature
Seliger passed the omnibus private security bill during the final hours of the session – against all odds. He has won the respect of the members of the Texas Legislature and the security
profession.
Seliger was first sworn in to the Texas Senate on Texas Independence Day, March 2, 2004, after a special election, and was most recently reelected Nov. 4, 2008, to serve the citizens of District 31 for a second, four-year term. The district spans 26 counties from the Panhandle to the Permian Basin and includes Amarillo, Midland, Odessa and Big Spring.
Born in Amarillo and raised in Borger, Seliger is a graduate of Borger public schools and Dartmouth College. He is co-owner and executive vice-president of Lake Steel, Inc., a steel service center. He is also a licensed commercial pilot and flight instructor.
Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst appointed Seliger to serve on the influential Senate Finance Committee for the 81st Legislative Session. Additionally, Seliger continues his service as vice-chair of the Senate Committee on Criminal Justice and as a member of the Senate Committee on Natural Resources. He has also been elevated to vice-chair of the Senate Committee on International Relations and Trade. He is also a member of the Joint Criminal Justice Legislative Oversight Committee.
In addition to his service on these legislative committees, Lt. Governor Dewhurst appointed Seliger to the Energy Council, a legislative organization that fosters the development of sound energy and environmental policies. Seliger also currently serves as Vice-Chair of the National Conference of State Legislatures’ Law and Criminal Justice Committee. Governor Rick Perry appointed Seliger to the Crime Victims Institute Advisory Board at Sam Houston State University.
Throughout his first term, Seliger demonstrated an in-depth understanding of the major policy issues facing the Texas Legislature. He contributed to the passage of several important bills during the 80th regular session.
House Bill 530 will provide additional funding for the expansion of drug courts. Senate Bill 1383 will ensure that groundwater districts can more fully investigate allegations of violations of groundwater permits and groundwater district rules. Furthermore, he co-authored Senate Bill 1031 by Senator Florence Shapiro to eliminate the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills test at the high school level and replace it with end-of-course exams based on recommended curriculum.
His involvement and leadership has earned him recognition from respected organizations throughout the
state. In 2005, Seliger was awarded the Texas Municipal League Distinguished Legislative Service Award, as well as the Rural Legislator of the Year Award from the Association of Rural Communities in Texas. Additionally, the National Federation of Independent Business/Texas honored him with their Guardian of Small Business award, and he was presented with the “Smart on Crime” Award by the Texas Criminal Justice Coalition.
In 2007, he received the Helen Farabee Leadership Award from the Texas Perinatal Association in recognition of his efforts in promoting the quality of health care of mothers and babies. This past year, he was recognized by the Texas Association of Business as a “Fighter for Free Enterprise,” and was the recipient of the “Golden Apple,” the highest award given by the Texas Association of Mid-Size Schools.
Prior to his election to the senate, Seliger served four terms as Mayor of Amarillo and as a member of the Amarillo City Commission and the Amarillo Civil Service Commission. In 2002, he was appointed to the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission by Governor Perry. He is currently a member of the National Rifle Association, the Texas Farm Bureau, and the Harley-Davidson owners group.
Seliger and his wife Nancy live in Amarillo with their son, Matthew. Their eldest son, Jonathan, is currently attending the University of Texas at Austin.
It is with great pride that we name him as ASSIST’s Legislator of the Year.
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