About Yvonne
State Representative Yvonne Gonzalez Toureilles was elected to represent District 35 in the Texas House of Representatives in November of 2004. District 35 is comprised of Atascosa, Bee, Goliad, JimWells, Karnes, Live Oak and McMullen counties. Representative Gonzalez Toureilles currently serves on the House Committees for Energy Resources and Juvenile Justice and Family Issues. In order to best serve the unique needs of District 35, Representative Gonzalez Toureilles is also a member of the House Democratic Caucus, Rural Caucus, the Women's Health Caucus and the Mexican American Legislative Caucus.
Representative Gonzalez Toureilles graduated with honors from the University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Arts degree in French. Later, she enrolled in the University of Texas School of Law and received her Doctorate of Jurisprudence in 1996. After earning her law degree, she began working for the State of Texas as a researcher at the Texas House of Representatives. Her passion for public service then led to her employment as an Assistant Attorney General.
Once elected, Representative Gonzalez Toureilles quickly began formulating legislation on behalf of her diverse district. Her outstanding work on behalf of the constituents of District 35 led to her distinction as Freshman of the Year by the House Democratic Caucus. This award is presented to the freshman legislator who demonstrates the most dedication, courage and tenacity on behalf of their constituents.
Representative Gonzalez Toureilles continued this line of success through the 80th Regular Session as she passed several key pieces of legislation. She passed legislation creating more stringent regulation during the exploration process of uranium, thus increasing the protection of property and water rights of land owners.
Representative Gonzalez Toureilles also passed legislation creating an accreditation process for counselors who counsel offenders of family violence. This piece of legislation is key in preventing repeat offenders and ensuring safety for families. The Texas Council on Family Violence, the Texas Association of Professional Counselors, and the Texas Department of Criminal Justice will work jointly to develop the policies for the accreditation process.
Representative Gonzalez Toureilles was also responsible for increasing the hazardous duty pay for correctional officers throughout the state as well as removing the hazardous duty pay cap for DPS officers and correctional officers alike. This increase will help retention rates of correctional officers within TDCJ as well as properly pay recipients for the dangerous and demanding duties they perform.
Representative Gonzalez Toureilles remains active in several organizations throughout District 35 including the Alice Counceling Center, the Brush Country Cattlewomen's Association, Community Action, Inc., Texas Democratic Women Association, the Coastal Bend Women Lawyers Association and is currently the President of the Coastal Bend Bar Association.
Her commitment to helping families and children has also led to her fundraising efforts on behalf of the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life, the Boys and Girls Club and the March of Dimes Walk for Life. Representative Toureilles has assisted these organizations with raising thousands of dollars to enhance the lives of individuals throughout the District.
Representative Gonzalez Toureilles made history during the 79th Regular Session of the Texas Legislature when she gave birth to her second child, Christopher John Marc, becoming the first State Representative to give birth during a regular session. She is married to her high school sweetheart, Marc Toureilles, has a daughter named Genevieve and resides in Alice with her family where she practices family law with the Law Offices of Baldemar Guiterrez.
