AUSTIN, Texas - State Representative Pete P. Gallego (D-Alpine) has been reappointed to the board of directors of the Texas Access to Justice Foundation. The State Bar of Texas appointed Gallego to a three-year term on the Foundation that provides grant funding for civil legal aid in Texas.

As a leader in the House of Representatives on access to justice issues, Gallego has been an advocate for underserved areas throughout the state including those with vulnerable populations and remote locations. Gallego's efforts helped ensure that basic legal services are available in rural and remote areas of the state where people would otherwise have to travel great distances to access those services.

“Representative Gallego has been a great supporter in expanding civil access to justice throughout the state,” Richard L. Tate, chair of the Texas Access to Justice Foundation, said.  “We are proud to have him serve on our board that works to provide basic civil legal services to the increasing number of disadvantaged Texans facing critical legal problems.”

The Supreme Court of Texas created the Texas Access to Justice Foundation in 1984 to provide funding for the civil legal needs of poor and low-income Texans. The Foundation annually awards grants to approximately 40 nonprofit legal aid organizations (like Texas RioGrande Legal Aid) throughout the state that help struggling Texans in matters involving foreclosures, employment, domestic violence and family law issues.

Gallego, the first Hispanic to represent District 74, has served on the Texas Access to Justice Foundation board of directors since 1996. Gallego was elected in 1990 to represent the largest House district and the largest Texas U.S.-Mexico border district covering nearly 39,000 square miles.

The Texas Access to Justice Foundation is the largest state-based funding source for civil legal aid in Texas, and has awarded more than $300 million since its inception. The Foundation board of directors consists of 13 attorney and public members, seven of whom are appointed by the Supreme Court of Texas and six by the State Bar of Texas.