A law has gone into effect that names the public policy institute, clinics and research fellowship within the Department of Government at The University of Texas- Austin in honor of the late Rep. Irma Lerma Rangel, the first Mexican-American woman elected to the Texas House of Representatives and the author of the groundbreaking “Top Ten Percent” law.

“Representative Rangel’s legacy made a big impact on the way I view politics and the way many women view the possibilities for us to serve our community,” said Texas Representative Tara Rios Ybarra, who today represents District 43.

“Today we have more Hispanic women serving in the Texas Legislature than ever before. This is due in part to the example and legacy of Irma Rangel.”

Rep. Rangel represented House District 43 with courage and distinction for 26 years, and was dedicated to championing the rights of women and minorities. She was chair of the Higher Education Committee from 1995 to 2003. After a long battle with cancer, she died in March 2003 at age 71.

The Public Policy Institute focuses on public policy issues salient to the State of Texas.

The PPI supports research on topics including education, immigration, law enforcement, voting and elections, naturalization and citizenship, ethnic relations, welfare reform, bilingual education, access to information technology, economic development along the Texas/Mexico border, and the effect of high-tech growth on the Austin area.

Althoughå the research has covered a wide range of subjects over the last decade, the PPI is particularly interested in issues relevant to the growing Latino/ Hispanic population.