2012 Awards
- Borderfest Association – 2012 Border Texan of the Year
- RGV Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, “Golden Eagle Award”
- STC Breakfast with the Senator – Recognized for being the champion of education as the “Great Equalizer” for all Texans
- Teaching & Mentoring Communities – Recognized for commitment & support of the migrant community in the Rio Grande Valley
- National Hispanic Professional Organization – Leadership & Commitment Award
- Boys & Girls Club of America – State Alliance Champion Award/National Award
- Texas Access to Justice Foundation – Legislative Hero Award
- Robstown Area Development Commission – Appreciation Award for help in developing Robstown and Western Nueces County
- Christus HealthEagle Award
- Texas Association for Home Care and Hospice – People’s Choice Award
2011 Awards
- Capitol Inside – Top 10 Legislators
- Transportation Advocates of Texas – Advocacy Award
- CASA 2011 Big Voice for Little Texans Award
- Women’s Business Center – Community Advocacy Award
- Texas Association of Mexican American Chambers of Commerce-Legislative Champion Award
- Christus Spohn – Eagle Award
- Border Prosecution Unit – Border Champion
- American Institute of Architects/Lower Rio Grande Valley Chapter – Recognition for passage of HB51
- McAllen City Commision – Recognition for service during the 82nd Legislative Session
- South Texas Property Rights Association – Recognized for passage of SB1160 & HB3422
- Texas Association of Counties – Friend of County Government Award
- Boy Scouts of America/Rio Grande Council 2011 Distinguished Citizen Award
- Good Samaritan Community Services Award-Recognized for Leadership
- Texas Medical Association – Friends of Medicine Award
Prior Awards
- 2010 “Legislative Hero Award” by the Texas Access to Justice Foundation
- 2010 “Great Texan Award” by the McAllen Boys and Girls Club
- 2009 “Leadership Award” by the Texas Potato Growers & Industry/Grower’s Convention
- 2009 “Community Service Excellence Award” by the India Association of Rio Grande Valley
- 2009 Lone Star Award by the Association of Substance Abuse Programs
- 2009 “Angel of the Year” award by Planned Parenthood Association of Hidalgo County
- 2009 Legislative Champion Award by the Texas Association of Community Health Centers, Inc.
- 2009 Legislator of the Year Award by the Texas State Council of the Vietnam Veterans of America
- 2009 Law & Order Award by the Texas District and County Attorneys Association
- 2009 Legislative Honor Roll – Texas Watch
- 2009 Government Advocate of the Year Award by the Texas Association of Mexican-American Chambers of Commerce
- 2009 Texas Hospital Advocacy Tribute Award by the Texas Hospital Association
- 2009 One Of The Texas Top Ten Legislators – CAPITOL INSIDE
- 2007 “Humane State Legislator Award” by The Humane Society of the United States for commitment to animal protection legislation
- 2007 Special Recognition Award by Texas State NAACP for work on Texas Youth Commission reform
- 2007 “Texas Medicine’s Best Legislator” Award by the Texas Medical Association
- 2007 Honorable Mention list by Texas Monthly Magazine for work on Texas Youth Commission reform
- One of the Best of the Texas Legislature 2007 – Mike Hailey’s CAPITOL INSIDE
- Texas Academy of Family Physicians’ 2007 Patient Advocacy Award
- 2007 University of Texas-Pan American & Small Business Development Programs; Honored for a Lifetime of Exemplary Leadership & Dedication to Small Business Development
- 2006 Public Servant of the Year Award presented by Coalition of Texans with Disabilities
- 2005 University of Texas-Pan American Pillars of Success Award
- 2005 Public Interest Champion Award, presented by The Texas Public Interest Research Group
- John Henry Falk Award, presented by the American Civil Liberties Union
- CLEAT (Combined Law Enforcement Association of Texas) Award for efforts to improve the lives of peace officers and their families
- Texas Hospital Advocacy Tribute Texas Hospital Association 77th Legislature
- 2001 Star of Texas Public Service Award Common Cause of Texas
- 1994 Alumni of the Year – University of Texas – Pan American Alumni Association
- Named Legislator of the Year by N.O.W.
- Named one of Ten Best Legislators by Consumers Union
- Mary Polk Leadership Award from Texas Council on Family Violence
- Recipient of Houston Press Club’s Friend of the First Amendment Award
- 1994 Alumni of the Year – University of Texas – Pan American Alumni Association
- Co-recipient of James Madison Award by the Freedom of Information Foundation, Inc.
- Named one of Top Four Legislators by Texas Game Wardens and Department of Public Safety
- Named “Best” Legislator by Texas Judiciary
- Named “Best” Legislator by the Texas Observer
- Twice Named one of Top Ten legislators by Texas Monthly