Joe Deshotel
TX State Representative, 22nd District
Joe Deshotel: Experienced Leadership
Joe represents the 22nd Legislative District, which includes parts of Jefferson and Orange Counties . He is a successful attorney, businessman and life-long resident of Beaumont. After the end of the 76th Legislative Session, the Legislative Study Group (LSG), the largest caucus in the state, presented Representative Deshotel with the Rising Star Award .
The award was given to only three representatives of the 25-member freshman class and is given to honor their outstanding dedication and achievement. In the 77th Legislative Session, his colleagues in the Texas Legislative Black Caucus elected him Chairman.
In the 78th Legislative Session Representative Deshotel served on the powerful House Appropriations Committee, which is the budget writing arm of the House. He also served as the Vice Chair of Local & Consent Calendars, the Chairman of Budget Oversight (CBO) for the House Elections Committee, and on the Select Committee on State Health Care Expenditures.
In the 79th Legislative Session Representative Deshotel was appointed to the prestigious House Committees on Economic Development, on Transportation, and on Redistricting. Representative Deshotel's tenure on the House Committee on Economic Development has helped bring in much needed investment dollars to Southeast Texas and has also worked tirelessly and enthusiastically on the Transportation Committee to create opportunities for the residents of District 22. Transportation was a significant issue due to budgetary surpluses and the expected allocation of millions of dollars toward highway funding.
In the 80th Legislative Session, Representative Deshotel was appointed to serve as Chairman of the powerful House Economic Development Committee . "Being named chairman of Economic Development Committee is important for East Texas," Deshotel said. "This committee assignment ensures that job creation and the increased vitalization of the local technology industry receive proper attention during the legislative process," Chairman Deshotel stated.
In the 8st Legislative Session, Rep. Deshotel serves as Chairman of the House Business & Industry Committee; which oversees most business transactions in Texas. It is also charged with protecting consumers and furthering worker safety.
Prior to serving on the legislature, Representative Deshotel served on the Beaumont City Council and was appointed by Governor Mark White to the Job Training Coordinating Council and Lamar University Board of Regents. He has a strong record as a champion of civil rights and civic responsibility, organizing Lamar University's first NAACP chapter and ensuring that the former Spur 380 was renamed Martin Luther King, Jr. Parkway. Joe also served as Vice-President for Administration and Legal Counsel of Lamar University-Beaumont. Joe Deshotel brings experience, insight and knowledgeable leadership to the issue of higher education.
Deshotel's background and experience as an attorney and small businessman will ensure responsible and effective representation for Southeast Texas. Joe has been married for 27 years to the former Claudia Darjean of Opelousas, Louisiana. He is the proud father of W. Joseph Deshotel.
Deshotel also serves on the House Insurance and House Redistricting Committees.
Honors & Achievements
Education:
* Juris Doctorate degree. Texas Southern University. Thurgood Marshall Law Center . 1978.
* Bachelor of Science degree. Political Science. Lamar University. 1974.
Texas House of Representatives:
*Committee on Economic Development. CHAIRMAN 2007-2009. Member 2005-2009.
* Committee on Transportation. Member. 2005-Present
* Committee on Redistricting. Member. 2005-Present
* American Legislative Exchange Council. Member. 1999-2005
* National Conference of State Legislators. Member 1999-2005
* Texas Ten Best. Honorable Mention. Texas Monthly Magazine. June 2003.
* Committee on Appropriations. Member. 2003.
* Committee on Local & Consent Calendars. Vice Chairman. 2003.
* Committee on Elections. Chairman of Budget & Oversight. 2003.
* Select Committee on State Health Care Expenditures. Member. 2003.
* Texas Legislative Black Caucus. Chairman. 2001-2003. Member. 1999-Present.
* Texas House Democratic Caucus. Member. 1999-Present.
* Texas Sportsman Caucus. Member. 1999-Present.
* Texas Manufactures Caucus. Member. 2005-Present.
* Rising Star Award. Legislative Study Group. 1999. Member 1999-Present.
* Communities in Schools. Board Member. 2002-2003.
Other Government:
* United States Air Force Reserves. Honorable Discharge. Technical Sergeant
* State Job Training Coordinating Council. Member, appointed by Governor Mark White. 1986
* Beaumont City Council. Ward 3 and At-large
* Lamar University Board of Regents, appointed by Governor Mark White
Professional:
* Southeast Texas Regional Planning Commission. 3 rd Vice President, 1984. 1 st Vice-President, 1986.
* Vice-President for Administration and Legal Counsel, Lamar University. Beaumont .
* State Bar of Texas . Agriculture Law Committee.
* Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Member.
* NAACP. Life Member.
* Texas Association of Trial Lawyers. Member.
* National Home Builders Association. Member.
* Jefferson County Bar Association. Board of Directors.
* National Association of College and University Attorney's, Conference Planning Committee.
* The Baptist Hospital System. Board of Advisors.
* National Organization on Legal Problems of Education.
Church:
* Our Mother of Mercy School . School Board President.
* Our Mother of Mercy Parish Council.
* Distinguished Graduate. Department of Elementary Schools. Catholic affiliated.
Community:
* Monsignor Kelly High School. School Board President.
* Jefferson County Red Cross. Board of Directors.
* Jefferson County 100 Club. Board of Directors.
* Knights of Saint Peter Claver. Board of Directors. Legal Counsel
