State Sen. Tommy Williams, R-The Woodlands, center, is presented the Civil Justice Leadership Award on Nov. 2 by TLR Chairman Richard Weekley, left, and TLR PAC Chairman Richard Trabulsi.

During the last legislative session in Austin, several bills threatened to undo the tort reforms passed in Texas only a few years ago. But none of those bills passed, and a Southeast Texas lawmaker was recently recognized for his part in keeping the legislation from becoming law.

State Sen. Tommy Williams, R-The Woodlands, on Nov. 2 was awarded the Civil Justice Leadership Award by Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC for his support of a fair civil justice system in Texas.

TLR PAC is the political arm of Texans for Lawsuit Reform, the state's largest civil justice reform organization.

"Sen. Williams was a vigilant and committed leader in the fight to stop dozens of bad trial lawyer bills in the State Senate last session and played a key role in the ultimate defeat of three major pieces of legislation that would have rolled back lawsuit reforms in Texas that have boosted our economy in these tough economic times," said TLR PAC Chairman Richard Trabulsi at a luncheon in The Woodlands.

According to a press relese, TLR PAC's Civil Justice Leadership Award is presented to lawmakers who take a stand in support of the model lawsuit reforms that are boosting the Texas economy, creating jobs and bringing doctors to every community.

Sen. Williams represents Texas Senate District 4, which includes Chambers, Liberty and Orange counties, as well as parts of Harris, Jefferson and Montgomery counties.

He is Chairman of the Administration Committee and serves on the Education Committee, the Finance Committee and the International Relations and Trade Committee.

"A longtime supporter of lawsuit reform, Sen. Williams always stands up for the best interests of Texas," Trablusi said.

TLR is a bipartisan, volunteer-led coalition with more than 16,000 supporters residing in 818 Texas communities and representing 1,266 different businesses, professions and trades. For more information about TLR visit www.tlrpac.com.