State Representative Jessica Farrar was elected to the Texas House of Representatives in November of 1994. She holds a Bachelors Degree in Architecture from the University of Houston. She currently serves on the influential State Affairs Committee as well as the Agriculture & Livestock Committee. From 1995-2003, she served on the Appropriations Committee. In 1999, she became the first Latina to Chair the bi-partisan Harris County Delegation. currently serves as Vice Chair of the Women's Health Caucus of the Texas House of Representatives and Secretary of the Mexican American Legislative Caucus. Representative Farrar's legislative initiatives have included many community development efforts focused on revitalizing the Houston area. She advocates for a more comprehensive criminal justice system, women's reproductive rights, and equal rights of all Texans and against drastic budget cuts that will harm Texas' most vulnerable citizens. Representative Farrar founded a small non-profit agency called Latinas on the Rise which serves as a mentorship and educational program for young women in college. She also serves with a number of non-profits such as the Center for Policy Alternatives in Washington D.C., Cultural Arts Council of Houston, Women's Legislative Lobby in Washington D.C., Rice Design Alliance, and the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health. In July 2004, Representative Farrar married Maj. Marco Sanchez upon his return from deployment to Iraq, Kuwait and Germany. A graduate of the Thurgood Marshall School of Law, Marco is serving his 18th year as an Air Force Reservist and is currently studying for the State Bar exam. He is a native of Rockdale, Texas. Jessica and Marco are proud residents of Lindale Park in the North Side of Houston.