AUSTIN" Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst received the Children's Advocacy Centers of Texas, Inc. (CACTX) Legislative Award at the organization's annual legislative luncheon in Austin today.

"I'm deeply honored to receive this award. Our state's future depends on how we treat our most precious asset, our children," said Lt. Governor Dewhurst. "Since I was first elected I have done, and will continue to do everything within my power as Lt. Governor to ensure our children are safe, receive the best education possible and are given every opportunity to grow into healthy, responsible Texans."

In honoring Lt. Governor Dewhurst for his efforts to protect children in Texas, the CACTX called him "a courageous leader in the fight to end crimes against children." "Lt. Governor Dewhurst has boldly stepped forward to publicly take on the issue of child abuse and mounted a battle against the people who prey on children," said CACTX Executive Director, Cathy Crabtree. "Eliminating these horrific threats to children will require that all of us find the kind of courage the Lt. Governor has demonstrated. His leadership at the Capitol and throughout the state is making Texas a safer place for all of our children" removing the threat of violence and abuse and restoring hope for the kind of happy, healthy existence every child deserves."

Among Lt. Governor Dewhurst's many accomplishments cited by CACTX are his passage of Jessica's Law in 2007, which is among the toughest such child protection laws in the nation, and his successful effort in 2009 to increase funding by $4 million for children's advocacy centers across Texas. According to CACTX, last year the 64 local advocacy centers around the state assisted nearly 40,000 children who were traumatized by child abuse and sexual assault.

For more information, please visit:

www.ltgov.state.tx.us

www.cactx.org