Congressman Rubén Hinojosa (D-TX) was elected to Congress in 1996 and is currently serving his fifth term as the representative of the 15th District of Texas. The District consists of 13 counties running from Central Texas to the Coastal Bend and the Rio Grande Valley to the U.S.-Mexico border.
An advocate for the underserved, and economically and educationally disadvantaged, Rubén Hinojosa has made working for those in his community a primary goal. When he was first elected to Congress, he pledged to reduce the chronic unemployment rate in regions of the district. In 2004, this was accomplished, and the district finally reached single-digit unemployment rate figures. Through a collaborative effort, and by focusing on developing a highly educated, well-trained workforce, modernizing the local infrastructure including roads and highways, and creating new job opportunities, his pledge became a reality.
From an early age, Congressman Hinojosa was taught the importance of a quality education as the key for a successful future and well-being. He began his public service with the Texas School Board, and continues his commitment to improving the educational opportunities for all students on Capitol Hill.
Congressman Hinojosa serves on two House committees: 1) Committee on Financial Services 2) Committee on Education and the Workforce.
On the House Financial Services Committee, Congressman Hinojosa is widely recognized as a leader on issues affecting the underserved, from banking to housing. The Financial Services Committee was recently designated as an exclusive committee for Democratic members – which is one of the most powerful committees (there are only four other exclusive committees) in the House and has jurisdiction over the entire financial services sector. In addition, members of exclusive committees may not sit on any other committee. However, Congressman Hinojosa was “grandfathered” into the Education and Workforce Committee, and was able to retain his standing and seat.
To address the plight of families in his district and across Rural America, Congressman Hinojosa formed the Congressional Rural Housing Caucus to bring national attention to the scarcity of housing in rural areas. He introduced legislation to improve the situation by developing affordable housing and rehabiltating existing housing. This past year, he co-founded and co-chairs the Financial and Economic Literacy Caucus to improve financial literacy for his constituents during all stages of their lives.
As a member of the Education and the Workforce Committee and Ranking Member on the Subcommittee on Select Education, Congressman Hinojosa is widely recognized as a champion for investing in human capital through education. He is a powerful voice for the aspirations of communities traditionally left behind in America's education system – low-income families, minorities, students with disabilities, English language learners and the children of migrant and seasonal farm workers. He has fought to include amendments to key education legislation such as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and Head Start to improve programs and services for English language learners and migrant children. In the No Child Left Behind Act, he was successful in establishing a national system for transferring school records for migrant children. He has led the charge to focus national attention on improving high school graduation rates, introducing The Graduation for All Act.
As chairman of the Education Task Force for the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Congressman Hinojosa ensures that federal education policy never loses sight of the youngest and fastest growing population in the country — Hispanic Americans.
During the 108th Congress, Congressman Hinojosa served on the House Resources Committee where he was an advocate for increased water quality and better utilization. He successfully passed legislation to modernize a variety of irrigation systems throughout
South Texas in order to save substantial water currently lost through evaporation and seepage. Over the years, he has obtained $7 million in federal investments to complete these critical upgrades. In January 2005, Congressman Hinojosa reintroduced the Lower Rio Grande Valley Resources Conservation and Improvement Act, which authorizes over $42 million in federal funding for the development and implementation of water resources management and conservation programs along the TX border and in rural counties.
In recognition of Congressman Hinojosa's achievements in Congress and service to his community, he has received numerous awards and recognitions including the naming of two new elementary schools and the Rubén Hinojosa Highway and the Industrial Park in the Delta Region.
Prior to his election, Congressman Hinojosa served twenty years as President and Chief Financial Officer of a family-owned food processing company, H&H Foods. He earned a Bachelor in Business Administration and a Master in Business Administration from the University of Texas in Austin and in Edinburg, respectively. He is married to Martha Lopez Hinojosa and has one son, Ruben, Jr., and four daughters: Laura, Ileana, Kaitlin, and Karén.
