Member Press Releases 2013

• May

• 05/21/2013

  Community-Led Approach Necessary for Public School Turnaround

  by: Rep. Patrick, Diane

• March

• 03/12/2013

  Representative Diane Patrick Works with Veterans to Strengthen Hazlewood Act

  by: Rep. Patrick, Diane

• January

• 01/23/2013

  Sen. Van de Putte and Rep. Patrick Collaborate for STAAR Reform

  by: Rep. Patrick, Diane
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Biography

Long recognized as one of Arlington's most dedicated community leaders, Dr. Diane Patrick was elected to the Texas House of Representatives in November of 2006. Representative Patrick's House District 94 covers most of Arlington in Tarrant County and includes the communities of Dalworthington Gardens and Pantego.

Representative Patrick currently sits on the House Appropriations and Higher Education Committees, and she has successfully passed numerous pieces of legislation during her three terms in office. Some of her Post-Legislative Session awards in recognition of her contributions include: Dallas Morning News "Best of Rookie Class," Texas Dental Association "Patient Advocacy Award," Texas Charter School Association "Charter School Advocate," Alliance for Prosperity "Friend of the Taxpayer," and Texas Association of Business (TAB) "Champion of Free Enterprise.” Additional awards include Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association (TEPSA) "Tribute to Texas Children," Collaborative for Children "Spirit of Collaboration," and Texas Equity Center "Champion of Children" for her efforts in school finance and funding equity."

Reflecting on the most recent Session (2011), she also received the Christian Life Commission “Horizon Award,” Texas Parent Teacher Association “Legislator Honor Roll,” Texas Association of Mid-Sized Schools “Golden Apple Award,” Texas Hospital Association “Excellence in Public Service,” and a 100% rating on the Texas Conservative Coalition Scorecard.

In addition to other Interim responsibilities Representative Patrick has served as a member of the Select Committee on Government Accountability and Efficiency. Following the 80th Session, she was the only House member appointed to the 15-member Select Public School Accountability Committee, and she also chaired the Subcommittee on Early Childhood Education.

Prior to her service in the Texas House of Representatives, Dr. Patrick served as a member of the Arlington ISD Board of Trustees for 11 years, including four years as School Board President, followed by four years of service as an elected Republican on the Texas State Board of Education. During her 19 years of elected leadership at various levels, she has earned a reputation as a smart and dedicated leader and a staunch fiscal conservative with a vision.

After graduating from Longview High School and receiving her Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree with a major in Elementary Education and a minor in English from Baylor University, Diane began teaching at the age of 20 in an elementary classroom in Waco, Texas. While she was teaching in Richardson ISD, she went on to earn her Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree with a major in Elementary Education and a minor in English from the University of North Texas (UNT). After staying home to raise their two children for a number of years, she returned to teaching in Birdville ISD and then served as Director of Educational Programs at two psychiatric hospitals. Later Diane re-enrolled at UNT and earned a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree with a major in Educational Administration and a minor in Public Administration in 1999. Dr. Patrick was a faculty member at The University of Texas at Arlington from 1994 until 2007, and she has also taught at Texas Christian University. Dr. Patrick has authored numerous publications on educational issues and been recognized for her dedication to educational excellence by various organizations over the years.

She is currently a member of the Arlington ISD Educational Foundation Board and the Downtown Arlington Rotary Club and a member of the Board of Director of the Texas Education Reform Foundation. She also has provided leadership in numerous other educational organizations including the Texas Center for Educational Research (TCER) Advisory Board, and the Consortium of State Organizations of Texas Teacher Educators (CSSOTE). In addition to her involvement in education, Dr. Patrick has played an active role in various community organizations over many years. She is a member of Junior League of Arlington, Arlington Republican Club, Republican Women of Arlington, and Reagan Legacy Republican Women. She previously served on the Board of Directors for Arlington Museum of Art and Children's Advocacy Network, and as County Co-chair of the March of Dimes. She has also served on the Tarrant County School-to-Work Commission and the Tarrant County Youth Council.

Married to Arlington dentist Dr. Ned Patrick since 1965, Dr. Patrick and her husband settled in Arlington in 1973 where their two children attended and graduated from Arlington public schools. They now have six young grandchildren, two boys and four girls.