Faith and family are my highest priority, followed by my work in the Texas Senate and then my business responsibilities. This is consistent with my belief that success at the expense of family is failure. It’s not what we say, it’s how we live. This is important because, inevitably, often unconsciously, our lifestyles evolve into the foundation for our public lives.

As students at St. Peter’s Catholic School and at Ursuline Academy, for example, my sisters and friends and I internalized Serviam (I shall serve), a slogan that symbolizes the difference between living our faith daily as a way of life versus “practicing” our religion once or twice a week. We learned to reflect our Catholicism and Christianity in our words and in our actions—not by labeling or congratulating ourselves or by claiming to be “holier than thou.”

In the Texas Senate our shared values empower us to embrace the proper decorum and demeanor that often begins at home, but is important in public life—and carries over into the political, social, and civic arenas. In the midst of challenging legislative sessions, for example, a bipartisan group of us meets with the Texas Capitol Commission pastor who facilitates our weekly bible studies. Sometimes I share stories and prayers from my religion, including from my experience as a lector at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church and as “Sister Judith,” an Honorary Nun of the Sisters of Mercy. 

Tolerance, acceptance, and understanding of diverse perspectives are increasingly important in the face of adversity and divisiveness. Perhaps my point of view is influenced by a heritage, being of Mexican, Spanish, Sephardic Jew, and Greek descent—with an Italian married surname and blood that runs burnt orange. My beloved grandsons share this ancestry and also are of German descent on their mother’s side.

Faith, family, children, and grandchildren—my values are the same as yours. This is especially true in public life, and I’m proud to uphold them in the Texas Senate.