Senator Shapiro - Governor For a Day

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Following a 160-year tradition, on January 11, 2005, Florence Shapiro was sworn in as President Pro-Tempore of the Texas Senate, after a 12-year tenure representing the 8th District of Texas. She is the first President Pro-Tempore from Collin County in more than 40 years. But her journey to Texas politics began years ago and miles away from the State Capitol. As a former public school teacher, Shapiro first entered elected office as a Plano City Council member. After six terms, she was elected Mayor of Plano. During this time, she also served as President of the Texas Municipal League and the North Texas Council of Governments.

As President Pro-Tempore, Shapiro is second in line for the Governor's seat and will be given the responsibility for 2005 to serve in that capacity in the event that Gov. Rick Perry and Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst are out of the state.

Senate tradition calls for the President Pro-Tempore to be sworn is as Governor for a Day, a 50-year-old practice that gives the member an opportunity to showcase Texans from his or her district. Shapiro's formal Inauguration will take place on Saturday, April 9, 2005 in Austin.

Historical Facts:

The first Senate President Pro Tem was Edward Burleson from Bastrop. He was elected during the first session of the Texas Legislature in 1846.
There have been times in Texas history when the President Pro Tem has been called on to perform official acts on behalf of governors who were traveling out of state or had vacated their office, including the signing of legislation and presiding over an execution.
When George W. Bush was elected President, the Senate President Pro Tem was Senator Rodney Ellis, who presided over the Senate's vote to elect Senator Bill Ratliff as lieutenant governor for the 2001 legislative session.
Two women have previously been popularly elected as Governor of Texas, Miriam "Ma" Ferguson in 1924 and 1932 and Ann Richards in 1990.
A total of 12 women have served in the Texas Senate, but only half of them have been elected President Pro Tem and served as Governor For A Day. The six previous female governors for a day include Senator Jane Nelson, Senator Judith Zaffirini and the late Neveille Collson, the late Margie Neal, the late Barbara Jordan and the late Betty Andujar of Fort Worth who was the first Republican woman ever elected to the Texas Senate.