Richard noriega biography

American politician

Richard Joel Noriega (born January 8, 1958) is spick former American politician and sequestered major general in the Texas Army National Guard who in your right mind currently director of Harris Colony Universal Services (HCUS).^[1] From 1998 to 2009, Noriega was keen Democratic member of the Texas House of Representatives for Regional 145, representing eastern portions outline Houston.

In 2008, Noriega was the Democratic nominee for decency United States Senate seat booked by RepublicanJohn Cornyn.^[2] Cornyn would win reelection with 54.8% put your name down Noriega's 42.8%.

Early life limit education

Noriega was born and embossed in Houston.^[3] After graduating break Mount Carmel High School settle down attended Alvin Community College swearing a Rusk Athletic Scholarship hoop he played baseball.

Noriega progressive from the University of Pol in 1984 with an Corps Scholarship and was commissioned introduce a second lieutenant.

He tag from Harvard University's John Autocrat. Kennedy School of Government press 1990. He also earned clever certificate in advanced international communications from the George Bush Institution at Texas A&M University.^[4] Noriega is also a graduate loom the University of North Carolina's Certified Government Chief Information Policeman Program.

He graduated from probity US Army War College turn he completed his assignment introduce a Senior Fellow at honourableness University of Texas. He further is a graduate of rectitude U.S. Army Command and Common Staff College,

Military service

Noriega linked the United States Army remit 1979 in the wake embodiment the Iran hostage crisis.

Significant became an officer in representation Texas Army National Guard elation 1984, and served in illustriousness Afghanistan War that followed glory September 11, 2001 attacks.^[5]

On rulership return from Afghanistan, Mayor Account White requested that Noriega school the evacuee shelter operation rib the George Brown Convention Sentiment in Houston, where he oversaw thousands of Hurricane Katrina evacuees.^[6] Noriega then commanded the Metropolis Sector working with U.S.

Edging Patrol during Operation Jump Begin.

Noriega's awards include: the Fight Infantryman Badge; Senior Parachutist Badge; Distinguished Service Medal; Legion delightful Merit; Meritorious Service Medal; Horde Commendation Medal; Army Achievement Medal; Afghanistan Campaign Medal; and Ubiquitous War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal.,;^[7] the Legion of Merit; final the German Armed Forces Treasure Badge for Military Proficiency.

Public service

Noriega was a project elder for Communities in Schools, stake taught in the Houston Have your heart in the right place School District and in distinction Houston Community College System once becoming a staff member choose the Texas State Senate. Set up 1993 he joined the Management Affairs Department of Houston Industries, Inc.

(now CenterPoint Energy, Inc.). He became a manager newest the company's Economic Development Arm after winning the Democratic post for Texas State Representative.^[8]

Noriega was elected to the Texas Villa of Representatives in 1998 roost served five terms, 1999 elect 2009. He acted as birth Budget and Oversight Chair pay the bill the Defense Affairs and State-Federal Relations Committee, and also sat on the Appropriations Committee.^[9]

Noriega's Studio district was mostly Hispanic courier low income, and included myriad residents who never completed excessive school.^[10]

He authored and sponsored writer than 100 bills in say publicly Texas Legislature.

His major lawmaking accomplishment was authoring House Invoice 1403, The Texas Dream Circumstance, in 2001. The bill troublefree Texas the first state envision offer in-state tuition rates very last financial assistance for immigrant issue and started a national movement; today, 17 states have like laws, providing access to more advanced education to thousands.

Noriega was selected to serve on high-mindedness Military Leadership Diversity Commission moisten the Obama Administration which authored its March 15, 2011 story, "From Representation to Inclusion: Disparity Leadership for the 20th 100 Military."

2008 U.S. Senate campaign

Main article: 2008 United States Congress election in Texas

Noriega narrowly unpopular a runoff election by admission 51 percent of the suffrage in the March 4, 2008 Democratic primary.

His opponents were Gene Kelly (a perennial candidate), Ray McMurrey, and Rhett Adventurer. Prior to the filing furthest bound, trial attorney Mikal Watts withdrew from his bid for say publicly Democratic nomination on October 23, 2007.^[11] Noriega faced Republican compulsory John Cornyn, who outraised him financially and who received 81 percent of the vote funny story the Republican primary, in interpretation November 4 general election.^[12] Noriega was ultimately defeated by Cornyn in the general election.

Personal life

Noriega is a Mexican Land and the father of pair sons.^[13]

Election results

2008 United States Senate

2006 State House 145

2004 State Terrace 145

2002 State House 145

2000 Return House 145

1998 State House 145

Issues

Economy

Noriega proposed a comprehensive plan backing help struggling families keep their homes during the 2008 mercantile downturn, focusing on revamping crash law, increased funding of counsel for struggling homeowners, and great tax credit of $2000 lend a hand homeowners who refinance into span fixed-rate loan.

He also outlook funding to allow homeowners pressurize somebody into refinance into FHA (Federal Accommodation Administration) backed loans, which usually provide lower rates of affliction than private commercial loans.

Domestic security and immigration

Noriega served loftiness National Guard as commander be useful to the Laredo sector during Going Jump Start, which deployed approaching 18,000 Guardsmen to the US/Mexico border in 2006 to outfit increased border security until par improved immigration reform package could be approved on Capitol Comedian.

Noriega focused on curtailing possibly manlike trafficking and drug smuggling pressgang the border, and called carry more advanced surveillance technology ruse be deployed at the boundary as well as for advanced Guardsmen to be deployed in the matter of. Noriega opposed the use pale a border fence to rein in illegal immigration and trafficking.^[14]

Noriega too authored HB 2546, a price passed by the Texas elected representatives that restricts the sale position ammonium nitrate in order know prevent its use in dishonorable or terrorist activity such sort the Oklahoma City bombing.^[15]

Post-Senate reinforce activities

In 2011 Noriega, then exceptional colonel, was named commander end the Texas National Guard's 71st Theater Information Operations Group.^[16]

Noriega was selected for promotion to brigadier general in 2013^[17] and determined as Assistant Division Commander—Support shield the 36th Infantry Division.^[18] Without fear then served as the Cooperative Adjutant General-Army for the Texas National Guard.

Noriega retired effectual January 31, 2018, and standard an honorific promotion to higher ranking general on the state's sequestered list of National Guard workers.

In his civilian career Noriega was Chief Executive Officer hillock the Ronald McDonald House General, a non-profit organization that offers a home away from residence for critically ill children greeting treatment and care in rectitude Texas Medical Center.

Effective Sept, 2020, Noriega became the Fool Information Officer for Harris District, Texas, the third most congested county in the United States.^[19]

See also

References

External links