About Yvonne
State Representative Yvonne Gonzalez Toureilles was first elected in November of 2004 to represent District 35 in the Texas House of Representatives. District 35 is comprised of Atascosa, Bee, Goliad, Jim Wells, Karnes, Live Oak and McMullen counties. Representative Gonzalez Toureilles currently serves as chair in the House Committee for Agriculture and Livestock. She is the first female to chair the Agriculture and Livestock Committee, and the second Hispanic, to ever occupy this position. In conjunction with the chairmanship, Representative Gonzalez Toureilles also serves on the House Committee on Energy Resources. In order to best serve the unique needs of District 35, Representative Gonzalez Toureilles is also a member of the House Democratic Caucus, the Women's Health Caucus and the Mexican American Legislative Caucus. In addition, she serves as the Vice-Chair of the Rural 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 to the House of Representatives, 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 has been instrumental in the legislative process and passed several key pieces of legislation including bills that protect the property and water rights of landowners during the exploration process of uranium, create an accreditation process for counselors of family violence offenders and increase the hazardous duty pay for correctional officers as well as remove the cap on this pay for DPS officers.
Representative Gonzalez Toureilles is active in several organizations throughout District 35 including the Alice Counseling Center, the Brush Country Cattlewomen's Association, Community Action, Inc., Texas Democratic Women Association, the Coastal Bend Women Lawyers Association and 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. Her commitment to children and families also led to her appointment, by the speaker of the House of Representatives, to the Permanent Judicial Commission for Children and Families. The commission was created by the Supreme Court of Texas.
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.
