The Texas Bicycle Coalition was named "Best in State" by a statewide transportation advocacy group in a brief ceremony Feb. 9, 2003, at the state Capitol.

TBC Executive Director Gayle Cummins accepted the honor in the form of a plaque presented by Trans Texas Alliance. The organization's director, David Foster, made the presentation. In presenting the "Best in State" award to Cummins, Foster said his group decided to recognize TBC for its efforts in drafting and working toward the eventual passage of The Matthew Brown Act (House Bill 2204) during the 77th Texas Legislature.

"By all accounts, The Matthew Brown Act was the most comprehensive pro-bicycle legislation ever attempted in Texas," Foster said. "TBC did a remarkable job in shepherding this bill through the legislature."

"We couldn't have done this without Representative Roberto Gutierrez, who authored the Matthew Brown Act and sponsored it in the Texas House of Representatives," Cummins responded on accepting the plaque. "His leadership and knowledge was key in getting this done in a legislative environment not accustomed to passing bicycle safety bills."

"Representative Gutierrez has been a great friend," she added.

"I feel like this award should have gone to a lot of people … everyone who worked on this. This was a team effort," Gutierrez commented. "I'm honored."

Gutierrez, a Democrat from McAllen, was honored, in turn, by the Texas Bicycle Coalition, for his legislative efforts with a plaque presented to him by Cummins. Gutierrez is a 12-year veteran of the Texas House, and served on the appropriations, local and consent calendar and public safety committees during the 77th Texas Legislature.

The Trans Texas Alliance is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation, created in 1992, to educate metropolitan, suburban and rural communities in Texas about transportation issues. Its mission is to help Texans envision and create a transportation system that enhances communities and quality of life.

The Texas Bicycle Coalition is the moderate voice for mainstream bicyclists in Texas whose goal is to advance bicycle safety, access and education.