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Better know a
legislator
Senator Kel Seliger
TEXAS SENATE
Kel Seliger was sworn in to the Texas Senate on Texas Independence Day, March 2, 2004 after a special election, and was re-elected to serve a full, four-year term later that year on November 4, 2004. 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, Senator 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.
Senator Seliger currently serves as Vice-Chair of the Senate Criminal Justice Committee and is a member of the Natural Resources, International Relations and Trade, and Administration Committees. He is also a member of the newly created Criminal Justice Legislative Oversight Committee. Most recently, Lt. Governor David Dewhurst appointed Senator Seliger to The Energy Council, a legislative organization that fosters the development of sound energy and environmental policies. Senator Seliger also currently serves as Vice-Chair of the National Conference of State Legislatures� Law and Criminal Justice Committee.
Senator Seliger has demonstrated an in-depth understanding of the major policy issues facing the Texas Legislature.
He passed H.B. 2833, the omnibus private security bill during the final hours of the last session. Seliger contributed to the passage of many other 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, Senator Seliger 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, Senator 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 Seliger 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, Senator Seliger 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. Most recently, 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 Rick Perry. Senator Seliger is currently a member of the National Rifle Association, the Texas Farm Bureau, and the Harley-Davidson Owners Group.
Senator 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.
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