Join us on August 19, 2015 for our Quarterly Luncheon with special guest speaker Cindy Burkett.
ABOUT CINDY BURKETT
STATE REPRESENTATIVE, DISTRICT 113
Cindy Burkett was first elected in 2010 to represent House District 101 in the Texas House of Representatives. House District 101 consisted of Balch Springs, Mesquite, and Sunnyvale. In 2014, Cindy Burkett was elected for a third term, representing House District 113. Currently, Representative Burkett represents parts of Balch Springs, Combine, Dallas, Garland, Mesquite, Rowlett, Seagoville, and all of Sunnyvale.
During her first term, she was selected to serve on the Criminal Jurisprudence and Elections Committees. The House Speaker also appointed Rep. Burkett to the Energy Council. As a member of the Energy Council, Rep. Burkett works to facilitate the development of national energy policies among the Southwestern states. During the interim, Rep. Burkett was appointed to a special joint committee to investigate human trafficking. In addition, the House Speaker appointed Representative Burkett to the Interim Committee on Texas Response to Federal Sequestration, which recommended ways that the state can prepare for looming tax increases and spending reductions caused by gridlock in Washington.
In the 83rd Legislative Session, Representative Burkett was appointed to the committees on Investments and Financial Services, Transportation, Local and Consent Calendars, and the Select Committee on Federalism and Fiscal Responsibility. During the interim she was appointed to the Select Committee on Child Protection which studied the incidence of abuse and neglect fatalities in Texas and made recommendations to protect children in the Child Protective Service system, as well as the Select Committee on Federalism and Fiscal Responsibility and the Select Committee on Transportation Funding. Representative Burkett was also elected as Vice Chair of the Texas House Republican Caucus by her Republican colleagues for the 83rd and 84th Legislative Sessions. She is a member of the Energy Caucus, Manufacturers Caucus, Veterans Caucus, and the Tourism Caucus.
In 2014, House Speaker Joe Straus appointed Representative Burkett to a 4 year term on the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission. This is a Joint Committee comprised of 5 members from both the House and Senate and two public members intended to review the efficiency and efficacy of our state agencies. Finally, during the past 84th Session, in addition to being re-elected as Vice Chair of the Texas House Republican Caucus, Representative Burkett was appointed to the Transportation Committee, Local and Consent Calendars Committee, and Article II Appropriations Committee.
Representative Burkett was awarded the “Champion for Free Enterprise” award from the Texas Association of Businesses for her voting record during the 82nd and 83rd Legislatures. Representative Burkett is also active in the National Conference of State Legislators and is currently serving on the Network Advisory Council of the Women’s Legislative Network for the organization. This council consists of two members from each state and promotes participation, empowerment, and leadership of women legislators.
Prior to her election to the House of Representatives, Rep. Burkett actively participated in the legislative process. During the 79th Legislative session, she worked for State Senator Bob Deuell as a Legislative Aide on the Finance Committee and during the interim; she served as his Deputy Regional Director. She also represented Senate District 2 on the State Republican Executive Committee for two terms.
Representative Burkett is a real estate agent in the north Texas area. She has a Bachelor’s of Arts in Political Science from the University of Texas at Arlington, where she graduated in 2004, while maintaining a full time job. She also has an Associate’s Degree in Business from Eastfield College and Mediation Certification from the University of North Texas.
Representative Burkett is very active in and dedicated to the district she represents. She has worked on legislation to encourage job growth in the state, to advocate for the mentally ill and their families, to protect the unborn and to increase and fund transportation infrastructure for Texas.
In the past, she sat on the Mesquite Board of Adjustments and on the Board of Keep Mesquite Beautiful. She is an active member of Mimosa Baptist Church.
Cindy married her high school sweetheart, Air Force veteran Mike Burkett, 38 years ago. They have three children and three grandchildren.