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Ruth (Ruth) Jones McClendon (D-SH120)
Email - Web Site
Capitol: 512.463.0708
FAX: 512.463.7071
District: 210.225.2107
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Representative
Room CAP 3S.2 Capitol Extension 1100 Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78701
District Office:
403 South W.W. White Road
San Antonio, TX 78219
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| Elected: 1996 Next Election: 2014 | | Spouse: Denver McClendon DOB: 10/5/1943 |
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| Counties Representing |
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| Bexar |
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BioRuth Jones McClendon was first elected to the Texas House of Representatives in 1996, representing District 120 in San Antonio. Her service during the 82nd Regular Session of the Legislature marks her eighth term in office. McClendon has served three terms as Chair of the House Committee on Rules and Resolutions. She also served as a member of the House Committee on Transportation during the 81st and 82d Legislative Sessions. Additionally, she has held a coveted seat for five (5) terms on the powerful House Appropriations Committee, which wrote the state's $188 billion budget in the 81st Session and the $172 billion budget in the 82nd Session. During the interim between the 81st and 82nd Legislative Sessions, Representative McClendon was appointed by the Speaker to serve on the House Select Committee on Transportation Funding. Following the 81st Regular Session, Texas Monthly distinguished her with "Honorable Mention" as one of the Best Legislators of the 81st Session. Capitol Inside named her as one of seven House members of the twelve legislators in the "Top Tier" of Legislators of the 81st Session. The Texas Classroom Teachers Association also honored her with "Honorable Mention" as a Legislative Star, for her work in the 81st Session to secure passage of the thirteenth check for retirees, and to restore the three-year calculation period for TRS members prior to retirement. Altogether, Representative McClendon has authored, sponsored, co-sponsored and passed more than 172 bills, excluding resolutions, during her tenure in the Texas House. Her legislative priorities include improving educational opportunities for students throughout the state, fighting for health care for children and the frail and elderly, creating a climate for businesses to flourish, keeping our neighborhoods safe, enabling counties to implement restorative justice programs, and improving the state's transportation system. Rail relocation and improvement continues to be a priority of special emphasis for Representative McClendon, considering the needs of the state to have a multi-modal approach to transportation and to remain competitive in commodity transport and interstate commerce. She is founder of the Community Crime Prevention Network, Inc., and President and CEO of RJMcClendon and Co. She served as a San Antonio Councilwoman and Mayor Pro Tempore from June 1993 - August 1996. Previously, she served seventeen years as a juvenile probation officer and administrator in Bexar County. Those who know Representative McClendon best describe her as a Christian, humanitarian, stateswoman, and a tireless advocate committed to helping others. Her lengthy tenure, genuine dedication to serving her constituents, and her uncommon ability to build consensus on major policy issues have earned her many leadership roles in the Texas Legislature. Representative McClendon considers her greatest accomplishments are being a mother, having a rewarding family life in the midst of the rigors of public service, and being able to serve her community as a state representative, because all these missions require perseverance and hard work, and the non-tangible rewards are tremendous. She credits the late Congresswoman Barbara Jordan as the historical leader who had the greatest influence on McClendon's life as a child, when she grew up in Houston's Fifth Ward. McClendon says the formidable obstacles that she has faced in her life have been few, but discrimination has been an ongoing obstacle that we all must fight. Representative McClendon is listed in Who's Who in American Politics, Who's Who of American Women, World's Who's Who of Women, International Who's Who of Professional & Business Women and Who's Who in Texas History. She has received more than 450 awards and honors for her legislative, public service and professional work. In October, 2009, Representative McClendon was named the Freedom Award Honoree by the NAACP Branch in San Antonio at their 91st Anniversary Celebration. The Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce presented Representative McClendon with the prestigious Women's Opportunity Week Legacy Award in June of 2010, presented annually to a woman who has been a role model for women for many years, selflessly working to improve her community through her work in civic initiatives, business, community service and philanthropy. Also in 2010, the Alamo City Black Chamber of Commerce presented her with the Chamber's Choice Award, and the YWCA San Antonio honored as one of the Women of the Decades from 1910-2010. Also, the Fort Sam Houston Memorial Services Detachment honored her in November, 2010 for her support of their work in providing military honors for deceased veterans. The San Antonio Observer newspaper named her the 2011 Woman of the Year. Also in 2011, she was honored as a Claude Black Hero by the Claude & Zernona Black Developmental Leadership Foundation, and as Woman of the Year by the Sister to Sister Ministry of Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in San Antonio. A native Texan, born in Houston, and a graduate of Phillis Wheatley High School and Texas Southern University, she earned her Master of Arts degree from Webster University, was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Guadalupe College Theological Seminary and a Honorary Associates Degree from St. Philip's College. In 2010, she was granted an Honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters by Texas Southern University. As a member of Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, she serves as a Lector and Extraordinary Minister. She is married to Lt. Colonel (retired) Denver McClendon, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Alamo Colleges, and together they have four adult children and 8 grandchildren.
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