Solomon Ortiz



Solomon Porfirio Ortiz, a Democrat, is a former U.S. Representative for the 27th Congressional District of Texas, having served 1983 to 2011.

Iraq War
Ortiz did not vote on the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 that started the Iraq War.

Background
Ortiz was born in Robstown, Texas on June 3, 1937. He attended Del Mar Collage from 1965 to 1967. When Ortiz was 16, his father died, leaving him to support the family. In 1960, Ortiz decided to join the army where he earned the equivalent of a high school diploma. He was trained in Fort Hood, Texas and then, for his Army Tour of Duty, he was sent to Verdun and Vitry Le Francois, France. After expressing an interest in police work, he was reassigned to the 61st Military Police Company Criminal Investigation Office. In Fort Gordon, Georgia, he received his advanced military police training in 1962.

Back in South Texas, Ortiz worked as an insurance agent until he decided to run for Nueces County Country Constable (A public officer similar to a sheriff also having judicial duties).

In 1964, Ortiz began gathering support and talking to other Hispanics about justice issues.

Ortiz' mother agreed to take out a $1000 loan, for the $600 filing fee and to help pay the Hispanic poll tax. Soon after, the Voting Rights Act of 1965 was passed and poll taxes were outlawed. In 1965, he won the election.

Ortiz served as Constable until 1968. In 1969, he ran for County Commissioners Court of Neuces County and succeeded. He was the County Commissioner until 1976, when he became the Nueces County Sheriff.

Congressional career
In 1982, due to Texas' population increase, the 27th District of Texas was created, and Ortiz ran for the seat. Poverty and social justice issues were a priority for Ortiz. He was elected as a Democrat to Congress on July 3, 1983 and has served continuously since.

During his terms in office, Ortiz has been working in the Pacific Rim to create more industry and jobs in South Texas. He has maintained a moderate voting record with a reputation of bipartisanship.

2006 elections
In 2006, Republicans nominated William Ross Vaden to face Ortiz in his November 2006 bid for reelection. (See U.S. congressional elections in 2006)  Ortiz retained his seat.

2010 elections
In 2010, Ortiz lost his House seat to Republican Blake Farenthold.

Committees

 * House Committee on Natural Resources
 * Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources
 * Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife and Oceans
 * House Committee on Armed Services
 * Subcommittee on Readiness -Chair
 * Subcommittee on Air and Land Forces

Committee assignments in the 109th Congress (2005-2006)

 * House Committee on Armed Services
 * Subcommittee on Readiness - Ranking Minority Member
 * Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces
 * House Committee on Resources
 * Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources
 * Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation Wildlife and Oceans

Coalitions and caucuses

 * Airpower Caucus
 * Army Caucus
 * Bipartisan Senate Task Force of Fatherhood Promotion
 * Co-Chair, Congressional Naval Mine Warfare Caucus, 108th Congress
 * Co-Chair, House Depot Caucus, 108th Congress
 * Co-Chairman, Congressional Border Caucus
 * Co-Chairman, Depot Caucus
 * Congressional Aerospace Caucus
 * Congressional Arts Caucus
 * Congressional Coast Guard Caucus
 * Congressional Fatherhood Task Force
 * Congressional Fire Services Caucus
 * Congressional Nanotechnology Caucus
 * Congressional Oil and Gas Caucus
 * Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus
 * Congressional Travel/Tourism Caucus
 * Democratic Homeland Security Task Force
 * Democratic Study Group
 * Hispanic Caucus
 * Hispanic Caucus Institute
 * Interstate 69 Caucus
 * Law Enforcement Caucus
 * Narcotics Abuse and Control Caucus
 * National Guard & Reserve Components Congressional Members Organization
 * Navy/Marine Corps Caucus
 * Reserve Component Caucus

Boards and other affiliations

 * American Red Cross
 * Corpus Christi Rotary Club
 * Impact Aid Coalition
 * National Deputy Sheriffs Association
 * Sheriffs Association of Texas
 * United Way

Articles and resources

 * Official website
 * Open Secrets - 2006 congressional races database
 * Campaign website

Local blogs and discussion sites

 * Fort Bend Democrats
 * South Texas Chism
 * Burnt Orange Report