Leticia Van de Putte
Leticia Van de Putte
Board Member
Senator Leticia Van de Putte, a pharmacist for more than 28 years, represents a large portion of San Antonio and Bexar County. A former-five term state representative, she is now serving her fourth term as a Texas State Senator for District 26. In 2002 she became the Chair of the Senate Hispanic Caucus and is currently the Chair of the Texas Senate Democratic Caucus. Nationally, Senator Van de Putte was nominated as co-chair of the 2008 Democratic National Convention, joining the ranks of Texas women, including Barbara Jordan and Ann Richards. She has been actively involved in the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), serving as President from 2006 to 2007. She is now serving as Chair of NCSL's Foundation for State Legislatures. Senator Van de Putte is a member of the National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators, where she served as President from 2003 to 2005.
Over the past two decades, Senator Van de Putte has been honored with numerous awards such as the Vietnam Veteran's of America's "Legislator of the Year Award," the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill "Texas Legislative Champion Award", the United Way of San Antonio "Children's Championship Award", the League of United Latin American Citizens' "Legislative Recognition Award", Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve "Seven Seals Award", the Texas Classroom Teachers Association "Legislative Star" Award, the Texas Pharmacy Association "Pharmacist of the Year", the American Pharmacists Association's "Hubert H. Humphrey" Award named for a noted pharmacist and public servant, and the Center for Policy Alternatives honored Senator Leticia Van de Putte with the "Arthur S. Fleming Leadership Award". This national award is presented to a leader who exemplifies the ideals of public service through the highest standards of performance. The Senator received the Charles M. West Distinguished American Award, which recognizes leaders whose contributions have had a lasting impact on pharmacy and the health and welfare of the American public. Most recently she was honored by the Texas Association of Mexican-American Chambers of Commerce with the "Distinguished Leadership Award" for her inspiration to the Hispanic Community through advocacy efforts in Texas and across the United States.
She is a strong advocate for children, veterans, improved access to health care, quality education, and economic development issues and has consistently authored and sponsored bills to assist families in securing opportunities. Senator Van de Putte has been a key author of bills that reformed our welfare system, revamped our Juvenile Code, and insured children. Multiple civic organizations and community groups have recognized Senator Van de Putte as one of the most effective, hardworking, sincere, and influential legislators in Texas.
Senator Van de Putte currently serves as Chair of the Veteran Affairs and Military Installations Committee, and also is a member of the Senate Committees on Education, State Affairs and Business and Commerce.
The Senator was a Kellogg Fellow at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government in 1993. She received her Bachelor of Science from the University of Texas at Austin, College of Pharmacy, and she is a 1973 graduate of Thomas Jefferson High School in San Antonio, Texas. Senator Van de Putte currently lives in San Antonio with her husband of 30 years, Pete, and has six great children: Nichole, Vanessa, Henry, Gregory, Isabella, and Paul, three of whom are in college and one in medical school. She is also the proud grandmother of Julian Claiborne Stiles.
During The National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) 2006 annual meeting in Nashville, Tennessee, Senator Van de Putte became the first Texas legislator to lead the organization as President.