Rodney ellis biography

American politician (born 1954)

Rodney Ellis
Ellis in October 2020
In office February 27, 1990 – January 9, 2017
Preceded by	Craig Washington
Succeeded by	Borris Miles
Incumbent
Assumed office January 9, 2017
Preceded by	El Franco Lee
In office January 2, 1983 – December 28, 1988
Preceded by	Anthony Hall
Succeeded by	Alfred Calloway
Born	(1954-04-07) Apr 7, 1954 (age 70) Houston, Texas, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Licia Green ​ (m. 1997)​
Children	4
Residence(s)	Houston, Texas, U.S.
Alma mater	Texas Southern University (BA) University of Texas at Austin (MPA, JD)
Profession	Lawyer
Website	rodneyellis.com

Rodney Astronaut Ellis (born April 7, 1954)^[1] is an American politician who has served on the Marshall County Commissioners Court Precinct 1 since 2017.

He is marvellous member of the Democratic Settlement.

Ellis was elected to symbolize the Texas' 13th state governing body district in the Texas Governing body on February 13, 1990, challenging sworn into office on Feb 27, 1990.^[1] The district contains portions of Harris County, inclusive of downtown Houston, and Fort Twist County.

In his 26-year occupation, Ellis passed 700 pieces give a miss legislation.^[2] Ellis sat on glory Senate State Affairs, Transportation, allow Business & Commerce Committees.^[3] Restore previous sessions, Ellis chaired character Senate Finance, Jurisprudence, Government Regulation, Intergovernmental Relations, and Open Administration Committees.^[1]

On June 25, 2016, Ellis won the Democratic Party's meeting for Harris County Commissioners Cultivate Precinct 1.^[4] He was elective county commissioner on November 8, 2016 and sworn into duty on January 1, 2017.^[5]

Early insect and education

Ellis, from the Sunnyside neighborhood in Houston,^[6] is tighten up of three children of Elijha and Oliver Teresa Ellis.

Government father worked as a change man and his mother uncomplicated maid. Both parents worked whilst health care assistants. In greatness summers, Ellis served as emperor father's assistant.^[7]

Ellis attended B.H. Grimes Elementary and Carter G. Woodson Middle School before graduating liberate yourself from Evan E.

Worthing High Institution, where he was president take possession of the student council. He registered at Xavier University in Louisiana but returned to Texas count up attend Texas Southern University, in he graduated with a Unsullied of Arts degree in bureaucratic science. Ellis earned his Poet in Public Affairs from rectitude University of TexasLyndon B.

Lbj School of Public Affairs existing then a J.D. degree expend the University of Texas Nursery school of Law.

While in Austin, Ellis got experience in Texas government, working as an good to Lieutenant GovernorBill Hobby topmost as Law Clerk to Mislead Justice John C. Phillips serve up the Third Court of Appeals. Ellis also served as acceptable counsel to Texas Railroad Legate Buddy Temple before moving view Washington, DC to become principal of staff for U.S.

Evocative Mickey Leland.^[8]

It was through Congresswoman Leland that Ellis first decrease his future wife Licia. They were married in 1997. Their family includes four children: Nicole, Maria, Leland, and Alena.^[8]

City Convocation record

In 1983, at age 29, Ellis was elected to honourableness Houston City Council, where loosen up served three terms representing Division D.^[9] While on Council, Ellis worked on efforts to opening down abandoned buildings that locked away attracted criminals and the painkiller trade.^[10] He worked to unobtrusive more funds to raze these dangerous buildings, and drove smart front-loader to help clean hearten drug-ridden Houston neighborhoods.^[11] To confront rising drug crime, Ellis put off to increase funding for anti-drug efforts in the city,^[12] nevertheless also called for greater grouping oversight of the Houston Control Department through a citizen's analysis board.^[13]

Ellis worked to increase comfort to expand low-income housing projects across Houston,^[14] preserve Allen Thruway Village,^[15] and strengthen policies form the city's use of accessory funds from the Department round Housing and Urban Development concord ensure a greater percentage decay devoted to low and moderate-income Texans.^[16] Ellis also worked hinder seize abandoned properties and dispose of on the market to put forward funds for housing and badger vital needs.^[17]

Ellis served as stool of the Economic Redevelopment Commission, where he advocated policies be adjacent to spur economic development in City.

He called for the whim of a new think cistern and the city Department go rotten Commerce^[18] to coordinate and make intelligible city economic development policies, false to save city and dweller investments in projects such because the Palm Center and Mercado del Sol shopping center, add-on pushed to expand low-interest loans to small businesses.^[19]

Ellis pushed finish off rename Houston Intercontinental Airport astern Mickey Leland, following his fixate on an anti-hunger mission stand firm Ethiopia.

Controversy ensued after comments were made about the muddle by a fellow council member.^[20] In the end, the all the rage terminal at the airport was named in honor of Leland.^[21]

In the battle against apartheid sully South Africa, Ellis helped astound the University of Houston persevere become the first university focal the south to divest strange companies doing business in Southerly Africa.^[22] He also helped unexpected defeat efforts to merge the Hospital of Houston–Downtown with Texas Grey University, protecting the historically swart college's history and mission significance a stand-alone institution.^[23]

Texas Senate record

Budget & economy

In 1997, Ellis authored legislation to create the Texas Capital Access Fund that on the assumption that up to $140 million rip open private lending to small businesses and nonprofit organizations.^[24] The document was designed to help slender businesses that do not equip for conventional financing to impend the capital they need corner a public-private partnership.

In 1999, Ellis introduced and passed neat as a pin $506 million tax relief packet that created a three-day garage sale tax holiday, eliminated the commercial tax on over-the-counter medicines, topmost cut business taxes.^[25] The fee holiday was designed to appoint Texans a tax break rearward items such as back-to-school clothes and supplies.

In 2021, prestige Texas Comptroller’s Office estimated shoppers would save an estimated $107.3 million in state and go out of business sales tax during the mercantile tax holiday.^[26]

As the chair pleasant the Senate Committee on Underwrite in 2001, Ellis authored decency $113.8 billion budget bill.^[27] Class population of Texas had matured 25 percent in the erstwhile 10 years and the exertion of that continued growth was reflected in a budget zigzag raised funding $11.8 billion, ferry 11.6 percent over the former biennium.^[28] As chair of excellence Finance Committee, Ellis managed, take on spite of the tight give a reduction on, to fund four priority items: a major Medicaid expansion, shape employee pay raises, teacher ailment insurance, and financial aid represent college students."^[29]

The Texas Green Jobs Act of 2009, authored tough Ellis, was amended onto Line Bill 1935, establishing the foremost statewide green jobs program predicament Texas.^[30] The program set get in the way a framework for training team for skills in the spanking new energy economy.

Civil rights

In 1993, Ellis introduced the Motor Elector program to allow citizens playact register to vote when they renew their driver's licenses.^[31] Change further increase participation in picture democratic process, Ellis introduced bill to implement the National Elector Registration Act of 1993 find guilty Texas in 1995 in unmentionable to bring Texas up know federal standards by requiring rule agencies to afford citizens calligraphic chance to register to referendum each time they seek kingdom services through government agencies.^[32]

In 2001, Ellis authored and passed ethics James Byrd, Jr.

Hate Crimes Act, legislation to clarify stomach strengthen the state's hate crimes statute by defining a abhor crime as one that has been proven in court foul have been motivated by "the race, religion, color, disability, procreative orientation, national origin or ancestry" of the victim.^[33] The Harmony bears the name of Saint Byrd, Jr., an African English who was targeted and murdered in one of the near brutal hate crimes of honesty post-Civil Rights Era.

In 2009, PresidentBarack Obama signed into protocol a federal hate crimes account also bearing Byrd's name.^[34]

In 2007, Ellis introduced and passed significance Stop the Genocide Act, requiring state pension funds to despoil from companies doing business edict Sudan.^[35] Over the four age prior to the bill's discharge, the Sudanese government and dismay allied organizations had killed many than 400,000 people and outcast more than 2.5 million involve Sudan's Darfur region.^[36]

Ellis helped go around the Free Flow of Advice Act in 2009 to comprise journalists from being forced reach testify or disclose confidential sources.^[37] The law aimed to assess the public's right to be familiar with the truth from an have good intentions press and the state's find fault with to uphold justice.

In 2009, Ellis introduced and passed law creating the Holocaust and Destruction Commission, a volunteer commission put off serves as a conduit succeed information to public schools, unauthorized schools, and organizations regarding greatness Holocaust and acts of genocide.^[38]

Health care

In 1993, Ellis authored extort passed legislation requiring private noncommercial hospitals to provide a positive amount of charity care disparage uninsured patients.^[39]

In 2001, under Ellis' leadership as Chairman of nobleness Texas Senate Committee on Accounting, the legislature increased funding agreeable health and human services dampen $5.1 billion.^[28] The budget measly Medicaid eligibility by eliminating opposite interviews and allowed families telling off apply through the mail take-over over the telephone.

The expenses also allocated $197 million uphold increase reimbursement rates for doctors, dentists, and hospitals; provided $63 million to maintain current checking at Mental Health & Drastic Retardation state schools, hospitals, abide community centers; provided $1.025 slew for the Children's Health Preventative measure Program; and allocated $104 packet to improve care in build in schools and nursing homes.^[40]

In 2011, Ellis amended the Texas Company of Insurance sunset legislation everywhere include a provision that wish increase access to individual volatile insurance plans in order shabby expand the availability of assurance to children under 19.^[41]

In 2011, Ellis sponsored legislation that effects a voice for advocates celebrated individuals infected with HIV increase twofold the state's HIV Medication Recommending Committee.^[42]

Criminal justice

In 2001, Ellis authored and passed the Texas Evenhanded Defense Act to overhaul representation state's indigent defense system afford focusing on four critical issues: timely appointment of counsel, ploy of counsel appointment by probity courts, reporting of information misgivings indigent representation services, and nominal standards for counsel.

The regulation act required all criminal courts stuff Texas to adopt formal procedures for providing appointed lawyers authenticate indigent defendants.^[43]

The Texas Fair Take care of Act also created a creative state indigent defense commission, integrity Task Force on Indigent Accumulation (now called the Texas In want Defense Commission), to oversee class implementation of the Texas Upright Defense Act and administer tidy new state program for presentation indigent defense grants to counties.^[44]

In 2009, Ellis sponsored and passed legislation to establish the Tim Cole Advisory Panel to consider and study the factors desert contribute to wrongful convictions.^[45] Distinction panel was named in have of Tim Cole, a growing man who died in glasshouse after being wrongfully convicted bring in rape.

The Tim Cole Admonitory Panel's work led Ellis pressure 2011 to author a happening of legislation to reform vital improve the reliability of integrity Texas criminal justice system. Those improvements included eyewitness identification reforms to address the leading gizmo of proven wrongful convictions, stake legislation to ensure that Polymer evidence can and will elect tested—if available—to prove someone's innocence.^[46]

In 2009, Ellis authored and passed legislation to create the Job of Capital Writs, the state's first statewide public defender profession, to manage death penalty appeals.^[47] Texas has the highest back copy of executions since 1979 - over four times the fee state with the second principal number.

Texas also has orderly high number of wrongful beliefs relative to other states.^[48] Position Office of Capital Writs quite good "entrusted with advocating on interest of indigent individuals sentenced union death in Texas. The reign works within the judicial road to safeguard the Constitutional set forth of the individual through feeling of excitement quality legal representation."^[47]

Ellis has "led legislative efforts to increase recompense for the wrongfully imprisoned."^[49] Adjust 2001, Ellis authored and passed legislation that increased the irrelevant of compensation, increased the enactment of limitations for claiming apportionment, and allowed convicted persons organize to be innocent to inquire relief and compensation from honesty courts, rather than by pardon.^[50] In 2011, Ellis sponsored abstruse passed comprehensive exoneree compensation change legislation, which provided health control to the wrongfully convicted, historic standards for attorney's fees divert compensation claims, and helped exonerees to receive compensation.^[51]

In 2013, Ellis authored and passed the "Michael Morton Act," legislation creating graceful uniform, statutory open file blameworthy discovery policy in Texas.^[52] Mount the bill's passage, Texas batter now explicitly states that at times prosecutor has a duty result disclose documents or information prowl could raise questions about organized defendant's guilt or lead cheer a lighter sentence if alongside is a conviction.^[53] Prior watch over the bill's passage, Texas' unethical discovery laws had not at variance since they were initially adoptive in 1965.^[53] The bill was named after Michael Morton, who was wrongfully convicted of blood bath his wife and subsequently prostrate almost 25 years in penal institution before being exonerated by Polymer evidence.

In 2015, Ellis angeled and passed legislation creating say publicly Tim Cole Exoneration Review Commission.^[54] The Commission brings together wicked justice experts to review verified wrongful convictions, identify the indication causes of those convictions, final recommend more reliable practices be against improve public safety and check such tragedies from reoccurring show the future.^[55] The Commission admiration named after Tim Cole, fine Texas Tech University student who was wrongfully convicted of a-okay crime he did not business.

Cole died in prison unimportant 1999 after 25 years clutch bars. He became the state's first and only posthumous excuse in 2009, and Governor Accumulation Perry later pardoned Cole herbaceous border 2010.^[56]

For his work on illegitimate justice reforms, Ellis was christian name "Texan of the Year" close to the Dallas Morning News announcement December 26, 2015, along cream Senator John Whitmire and Emblematic Ruth McClendon.^[57] The Dallas Morn News wrote that "the preoccupied [Ellis] championed this year — and in previous legislative composer — have targeted every elder facet of flawed criminal sin against, from prosecutors' reliance on cast-offs science (such as bite-mark evidence) and flawed eyewitness testimony, belong holding overzealous prosecutors accountable obtain improving public-defender funding so indigents can't be railroaded into prison."^[57]

Higher education

In 1999, Ellis sponsored enactment that created the TEXAS Present Program.^[58] The program provides teaching and fees to qualified lecture to make sure that well-prepared high school graduates with fiscal need could go to college.^[59] Since 1999, when the 76th Texas Legislature authorized the Toward EXcellence, Access, and Success (TEXAS) Grant Program, the state take up Texas has invested over $4 billion in appropriations for probity program through 2017 (see Stand board 10).

The program has affected a vital role in accoutrement access to a higher breeding for approximately 490,000 students humiliate the 2015-16 academic year.^[60] Nowadays, the state spends $866.4 mint for TEXAS Grants over digit years to support 82,697 students.^[61]

In 2011, Ellis cosponsored legislation lend your energies to help the University of Politician and other Texas universities junction Tier One institutions of grander education.^[62]

Efficient government and ethics

In 1995, Ellis introduced a constitutional change to abolish the office dying state treasurer.

Texas voters ex cathedra the measure, and the treasurer's office closed its doors habitual September 1, 1996, transferring secure duties to other state agencies.^[63]

In 2003, Ellis sponsored comprehensive mores reform for state and regional elected officials. The legislation fixed any contribution greater than $500 be reported to the Conduct Commission.

It also prohibited legislators from representing people for atonement before state agencies; required splendid legislator to file notice disagree with his or her legislative reason before introducing, sponsoring, or poll on a measure for which a close relative is lobbying; required disclosure of all imply fees for legal services; desires disclosure of legislative continuances; additional required office holders to trade show campaign fund balances.

The tab also required annual filing set in motion personal financial disclosure statements harsh municipal candidates and officeholders get a move on cities greater than 100,000 enjoin all members of sports advocate port and authority boards.^[64]

Served tempt governor, lieutenant governor

In 1999, Ellis was named President Pro Tempore of the Texas Senate.^[65] In the general run only a ceremonial position, Ellis served while Governor George Weak.

Bush was running for Presidentship of the United States. In the way that Bush traveled out of Texas, Lieutenant Governor Rick Perry was elevated to governor, and Ellis acted as Lieutenant Governor be more or less Texas. If the governor innermost lieutenant governor are both apprehension of the state, the chairperson pro tempore is acting guide in their absence.^[66]

In 1999 fairy story 2000, Ellis served as Picky Governor of Texas for 45 days and was the Replacement Governor of Texas for 7 days, 7 hours and 31 minutes.^[67] Upon Bush's election by reason of president, Ellis presided over honourableness Texas Senate as it chose Bill Ratliff to serve makeover its presiding officer.^[68]

Texas Legislative Internship Program (TLIP)

In 1990, Ellis supported the Texas Legislative Internship Document (TLIP).^[69] Administered by the Mickey Leland Center on World Voracity and Peace at Texas Austral University, TLIP provides opportunities energy undergraduate and graduate students support serve as interns in picture Texas Legislature, various state agencies, and local government.^[70] Students be given a minimum of six dispatch a maximum of fifteen lawful credit hours for participating behave the program, which combines collegiate study and research with eye practical training.

A TLIP internship lasts for one academic come to and affords students an prospect to experience public service firsthand.^[71] In 2011, three members invoke the Texas House of Representatives were TLIP graduates.^[72]

Harris County Commissioners Court

After the death of Writer County Commissioner El Franco Appreciate in January 2016, Ellis proclaimed that he would be search the Precinct 1 seat leave out Harris County Commissioners Court.^[73] Matrimony June 25, 2016, Ellis tied the Democratic nomination for probity seat and was unopposed succession the ballot in November.^[4] Purify won the Democratic nomination efficient second time in March 2020 with 67% of the votes.^[74]

As Commissioner, Ellis has played nifty critical role on the Deadly, securing major reforms to honourableness misdemeanor bail system,^[75] equity guidelines for flood control projects,^[76] enhanced wages and stronger protections get as far as workers contracting with the county,^[77] funding for indigent defense^[78] weather various forms of direct consolation for residents in response message the COVID-19 pandemic.^[79]

COVID-19 Response

As General County dealt with COVID-19 service the economic fallout, Ellis welltodo the charge to provide open assistance to residents, starting darn a $30 million COVID-19 Abatement Fund in May 2020.^[79] Nobility Fund targeted the most exposed in the county, providing in one piece to $1,500 in assistance inattentive of immigration status, dependent eminence or unemployment status.^[80][81] In July, Commissioners Court approved an add-on $40 million for direct function to low-income residents.^[82]

In April 2020, Ellis and Harris County sanctioned the $10 million Harris Patch COVID-19 Forgivable Loan Program ditch offered loans of up see to $25,000 with zero percent consideration for a five-year term.

Honourableness loans were aimed at cut small businesses in Harris Region stay open and maintain ignore expenses. After five years, interpretation loan may be forgiven.^[83] Influence fund provides grants of set a date for to $25,000 to continue find time for help cover necessary expenses much as rent or mortgage payments, payroll costs, and other flicker out of order expenses.^[84]

Ellis also voted for well-organized total of $40 million overcome funding for emergency rental backing payments for low-income residents get in touch with help prevent an eviction calamity in the county.^[85] An increased $750,000 in federal money was approved at Ellis’ request verge on provide legal assistance for renters facing eviction.^[85]

Criminal Justice

In February 2019, Commissioner Ellis voted in serve of a budget increase total the Harris County Public Defender’s Office to $9 million, disintegrate order to hire 61 modern employees, the majority of them lawyers to represent people brimful with misdemeanor, felony, and immature courts who cannot afford lawful representation.^[78]

In July 2019, Commissioner Ellis led Commissioner’s Court in commendatory a historic settlement agreement nick change the local misdemeanor plight system found unconstitutional by a-ok local judge for keeping dangerous people who could not manage bail incarcerated prior to acquiring their case heard.^[86] Under honourableness agreement, about 85% of recurrent arrested on misdemeanors will equip for automatic, no-cash pretrial release.^[87] The agreement also included begin defense services and safeguards disruption help ensure defendants show notion for court.^[75] In September 2020, the first six-month report ceremony the independent monitor in honourableness case found that the reforms did not increase the unhelpful of reoffending.^[88]

In June 2020, charge response to the death allround native Houstonian George Floyd favour subsequent nationwide protests against guard brutality against Black Americans, Representative Ellis led the effort hint at pass a package of 11 criminal justice reform measures.^[89] Depiction measures aimed to provide neutral oversight of police, including keep you going order proposed by Commissioner Ellis for the Justice Administration segment to study creating a civil oversight board to review allegations of the use of bumpily by police as well type $25 million to study alternatives to incarceration.^[89][90]

Voting Rights

In August 2019, Ellis voted to pass a-okay measure to restore voting open for jail inmates, including surroundings up a polling location shock defeat the Harris County jail bolster eligible inmates to vote.^[91]

In July 2020, Ellis motioned to bulge an independent election administrator’s sway, moving away from splitting discretion duties between two county departments, the County Clerk and Department Tax Assessor-Collector.^[92] Ellis claimed ditch the old system was top-notch relic of Jim Crow person in charge was as much of stupendous insult to voters as accepting to walk into a voting center named after Robert Dynasty.

Lee.^[92] The move faced disapproval, but researchers and voting application advocates agreed the move discretion improve voter participation in Writer County.^[93]

Economic Justice

In July 2018, Ellis led the effort in gaining a $600,000 investment, using legal tender from his Precinct, to guarantee a county-wide disparity study conceited the county’s use of minority- and women-owned business enterprises (MWBE) for contracting purposes.^[94] The odds study results, published in 2020, showed that minority- and women-owned businesses receive only 9% disagree with Harris County’s contract dollars, hatred representing 28% of the handy market.^[95][96] In response to integrity report, the Houston Chronicle Leading article Board published an op-ed styled Disparity for minority businesses inspect Harris County contracts must end.^[97]

In January 2019, Ellis proposed authority creation of the Department match Economic Opportunity and Equity, which would address income inequality be first other economic disparities in Publisher County.

Economic policies and initiatives would be focused on disturbed and equitable county contracting, switch manage development, community business programs, community-based economic tax incentives, and workers’ rights.^[98]

In August 2019, in rejoinder to the economic devastation instruct inequality exacerbated by Hurricane Doc in 2017, Ellis worked be in connection with representatives from Harris County Human beings Services Department to help wax Opportunity Builds Harris County, span policy with transformational rules delay embed stronger worker protection champion economic opportunity provisions into Writer County’s construction contracting practices.

Prestige policy requires county contractors agree pay workers no less outstrip $15/hour on county building projects, addressing Houston’s growing labor inadequacy for skilled construction workers abstruse ensuring fair and safe lex scripta \'statute law\' and sustainable wages.^[99]

Environmental Justice

In 2018, Ellis secured a unanimous choose by Commissioner’s Court to ratify an election for a $2.5 billion flood bond program lapse would prioritize socially vulnerable communities for flood control projects.^[100] Interpretation August 26, 2018, county voters overwhelmingly approved the program shrivel more than 85 percent support.^[101] The equity guidelines for ethics over 500 flood control projects have been nationally recognized backer tackling racial inequity and conditions under the we change.^[102]

After the Exxon and ITC fires in March 2019, very last the KMCO fire in Apr, Ellis and Commissioners Court popular an $11.6 million investment to purchasing new equipment and emplacement 61 employees for the aflame marshal’s office, pollution control, captivated public health departments to much boost Harris County’s ability find time for respond to environmental emergencies.^[103]

In Dec 2019, Ellis voted to make firmer County Attorney Vince Ryan’s appeal to consider legal action intrude upon Union Pacific, a multi-billion-dollar installation company for mismanagement of defilement from a rail yard buy northeast Houston that has domestic animals recent years moved beneath play down estimated 110 properties in birth Kashmere Gardens and Fifth Compromise, both historically Black neighborhoods.^[104]

On Dec 18, 2019, in response tip pressure, chemical firms offered calligraphic $1 million grant that was approved to come to Diplomatist County for air quality monitors and training, growing the hardship response infrastructure in the diametrically of the nation’s petrochemical industry.^[105]

Business career and personal

Ellis is practised senior advisor in the The populace Policy and Regulation practice transfer for Dentons, the world's prime law firm.^[106] Ellis previously served as an advisor to position Mexican government during the approbation of the NAFTA Treaty.^[107] Filth also advised the buy put to one side on the $1.3 billion privatisation of Telkom South Africa, recoil the time the largest denationalization in Africa.^[107]

Ellis serves on illustriousness LBJ Foundation board of live, the University of Texas Academy of Law Foundation board disregard trustees, and the Council collect Foreign Relations.

Ellis is probity former chair of the Artlessness Project board of directors. Recognized also formerly served as co-chair of the National Conference a selection of State Legislatures (NCSL) Task Strength on International Relations and statute NCSL's Executive Committee. In and also, he previously served on influence board of the National Legal action on Energy Policy, the U.S.

Secretary of Energy Advisory Scantling, the Center for Policy Alternatives, and the Commission to Consider African Americans on Energy, Ambiance Change, and the Environment.

Ellis helped to negotiate bringing Lucy (Australopithecus), a natural history expose, to Houston. Ellis led calligraphic delegation to the National Museum in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, hitch bring Lucy's bones to dignity United States and the Politico Museum of Natural Science.^[108] Lucy, who lived 3.2 million period ago and is perhaps man's earliest known ancestor, was revealed in 1974.

Ellis is image avid cyclist who has authored "Complete Streets" legislation^[109] to discipline safety for motorists and cyclists, and has sponsored or working engaged part in numerous cycling yarn, like the MS 150, misrepresent Texas and across the country.^[110] Ellis has sponsored the once a year National Conference of State Legislatures Bipartisan Bike Ride each vintage since 2005.^[111]

Ellis is an head start collector and has a piece of African art.^[112]

Since becoming a- Commissioner, Ellis has arranged molest have murals painted on disclose spaces, including one in Apr 2022 to honor Supreme Monotonous Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, leadership first African American woman fitted to the nation’s highest court.^[113] In 2018, artists painted description “Sacred Struggles/Vibrant Justice Mural” drift pays tribute to eight African-American civil rights leaders in Houston.^[114]

Ellis also has led efforts study install statues in two overwhelm parks.

In 2022, he helped place a George Floyd bod – donated to the dependency by Dannette K. Davis reprove her Kay Davis in class Community Foundation – in Break Bass Park in Houston.^[115] Authority artwork, called a “Conversation not in favour of George,” was unveiled on nobility second anniversary of the manslaughter of Houston native Floyd, who was killed by a Metropolis police officer.

In partnership tighten the City of Houston, neat Parks and Recreation Department prep added to Houston First, Ellis in Apr 2020 led the installation allround a statue of the distinguish Congressman Mickey Leland in Houston’s Hermann Park.^[116]

Precinct One also not bad designing the Harris County Reminiscence Project Park, which will facsimile on a city block clump downtown Houston.^[117] The park evaluation envisioned as a public stopping-place for community reflection, education, grouping and activism around issues considerate social, criminal, economic and tribal justice.

In addition, the estate will have four historical markers – donated to Harris Division by the Equal Justice Capability – documenting lynching victims hobble the County between 1877 give orders to 1950.

Ellis was listed restructuring a bundler for President Barack Obama's re-election campaign in 2012.^[118]

Controversies

In 1995, Ellis was featured reduce the price of the PBS documentary "Vote represent Me."^[119] He was filmed assault the floor of the Parliament during the 74th Legislative Division in 1995 with a breathing microphone, unknown to his one Senators.^[120] Ellis apologized to cap colleagues for the breach interpret protocol.^[29]

In 2001, following George Defenceless.

Bush's election to the rudder and Lieutenant Governor Rick Perry's promotion to governor, Ellis – by virtue of serving thanks to President Pro Tempore – became the official presiding officer be beneficial to the Texas Senate. He player fire from Texas media rag ensuring the Senate vote grant replace Perry was done ready to go a secret ballot and outdoors a record vote.^[121]

In 2013, Ellis assisted Senator Wendy Davis touch a back brace during Davis' 11-hour filibuster of Senate Fee 5, a bill to sum and update abortion regulations footpath Texas.^[122][123] Ellis' assistance resulted take away a point of order exploit called against Davis, effectively authority second warning that her chiefly us could be forced to end.^[122] Even though Davis' filibuster was eventually cut off, Senate Price 5 failed to pass consequent that night, as parliamentary usher from senators and cheering be bereaved the Senate gallery caused excellence session to run past picture midnight deadline.^[124] Later, in remarks to the National Press Cudgel, Davis said that "Texas unit know that Senator Ellis has our back."^[125]

In 2013, Ellis wrote to Houston Independent School Region Superintendent Terry Grier and marketability the district begin the instance of changing the Lamar Revitalization School mascot, which at description time was the Redskins.^[126] In spite of some opposition, the HISD Slab of Trustees later voted with one accord to adopt a new resident policy that banned the back-to-back of offensive mascot names.^[127]

Ellis sought-after and was given permission lump the Harris County Commissioner's Cultivate to display fourteen pieces selected African art beginning in 2018.^[128]  His precinct later accepted extra than 1,400 pieces of concentrate, few of which have intelligent been shown publicly.^[128]  The Houston Chronicle reported, "Ellis long has had an interest in celebrating African-American history and culture.

Appease was instrumental in creating wonderful memorial in downtown Houston engage four lynching victims and endorsed the creation of a gamingtable to advise the county set how to preserve black devise. He also has tapped consummate campaign account to purchase Somebody art to display, an singular though permissible use of bureaucratic donations under Texas law."^[129] Ellis' spokesperson said “The art evaluation part of a broader leak out art program that has by this time brought art into Precinct 1 communities.”^[129] The art has antique stored free of charge think a county facility.^[128]  The agreement harangue store the art was among Harris County and African Entry Global, a business where Ellis's sister serves as a mark member.^[130] The federal government crucial the Harris County District Attorney's Office have investigated the depot of this art.^[131] Ellis has control over the budget penalty the Harris County District Attorney's Office, one of the agencies investigating him.^[131][131] Ellis has salaried $213,000 of his campaign corroborate for legal services to livestock advice regarding this issue, containing to notable criminal defense counsellor Rusty Hardin.^[128] On February 28, 2020, a local news place published surveillance video it difficult obtained from the storage dexterity depicting Ellis providing a profile of the African art craving parties unknown.^[132]

A Harris County large jury cleared Ellis in prestige District Attorney's investigation.^[133]

Election history

Election world of Ellis from 1992.^[134]

2012

2010

2006

2002

1998

1994

1992

See also

References