DOCSLIB.ORG

Congressional Record—House H4223

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Congressional Record—House H4223 May 19, 2003 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H4223 The exemptions we are debating this Bureau of Land Management lands billion emergency payment and this week are wrong on so many different aimed at protecting communities, wa- simply could not go on, so he pressed levels. tersheds, and certain other at-risk forward and got the bill done in 2002 in First of all, the legislation is unnec- lands from catastrophic wildfire, to en- the face of a fair amount of criticism. essary. There is already a waiver provi- hance efforts to protect watersheds and I thought that he showed great tenac- sion in place in the law for years. address threats to forest and rangeland ity in doing so, and I really appreciated There has never been a case where for health, including catastrophic wildfire, his efforts. military necessity a waiver has not across the landscape, and for other pur- I visited South America with LARRY been granted. Never, not one. Not one poses, which was referred to the House and other members of the Committee example has been produced before the Calendar and ordered to be printed. on Agriculture a little bit more than a committees that are examining this. f year ago, and I can recall one meeting Additionally, it misses the real in Brazil with their agriculture leader- TRIBUTE TO HONORABLE LARRY threat to military readiness, what is ship in which they were very critical of COMBEST ON HIS RETIREMENT termed encroachment. This is the same U.S. farm policy. They thought they FROM CONGRESS sprawl and unplanned growth that were poised to take over the soybean threatens our farms and forestlands, The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. market of the world, and I remember pollutes our air and water, and con- COLE). Under a previous order of the LARRY’S response. He said, ‘‘My respon- gests our roadways, and this is a real House, the gentleman from Nebraska sibility is to protect the interests of threat to our ability to train and main- (Mr. OSBORNE) is recognized for 5 min- American farmers and ranchers.’’ That tain the world’s mightiest fighting utes. is what he did. Our farmers and ranch- force. Mr. OSBORNE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to ers really comprise only 1 percent Across the country, from Ft. Stew- congratulate Chairman LARRY COM- roughly of our population. At one time art, Georgia, to Nellis Air Force Base BEST on a long and successful congres- they were a very significant part of our in Nevada, development is threatening sional career. I was privileged to serve population. Now they are about 1 per- the armed forces’ ability to fly planes, on the Committee on Agriculture cent, and so they certainly need advo- maneuver and conduct other readiness under LARRY. We were certainly at op- cates. I really appreciate the fact that activities. This has led the State of posite ends of the spectrum. My first 2 Chairman COMBEST truly did all that California to pass their Senate bill 1468 years on the committee were LARRY’S he could to represent a very important which recognizes the long-term oper- last 2. I was without status. He was the and often unappreciated part of our Na- ations of military installations must chairman. Regardless of seniority, each tion. involve a partnership between the person had access to LARRY and his I would like to thank the chairman State, local agencies and the Federal staff on an equal basis. I have always for his contribution and for his career Government. felt that the true measure of a person’s here and for the way that he worked character was how he treated those b 1945 with other people to bring agriculture who could do nothing for him. In that to the forefront during the farm bill. It provides the military, environ- respect, I thought that LARRY was real- mental organizations and local plan- ly exemplary and I really appreciated f ning agencies the tools to work to- the way I was received. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a gether to fight common enemies of The most significant accomplish- previous order of the House, the gen- military readiness like suburban ment of the Committee on Agriculture tleman from Oregon (Mr. DEFAZIO) is sprawl. But this proposal is completely the last 2 years was reauthorization of recognized for 5 minutes. absent from the legislation coming be- the farm bill. This was a very exhaus- (Mr. DEFAZIO addressed the House. fore us. tive process. It went on over 2 years, His remarks will appear hereafter in The defense authorization bill is also involving roughly 50 hearings, 25 of the Extensions of Remarks.) wrong on a very fundamental level. It those in various parts of the country f is missing an opportunity to use the and 25 here in Washington. Input was TEXAS REDISTRICTING Department of Defense to set the high- received from such diverse groups as est standards. Again, given adequate the Farm Bureau, Farmers Union, corn The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a resources and the right orders, our De- and soybean, rice and cotton, fruits previous order of the House, the gen- partment of Defense can achieve any and vegetables, Ducks Unlimited, Na- tleman from Texas (Mr. EDWARDS) is mission. We are missing that oppor- ture Conservancy and the Sierra Club. recognized for 5 minutes. tunity. Everybody had a chance. Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, before I Finally, Mr. Speaker, there is a fun- What the chairman did was ask each discuss some comments I would like to damental arrogance and hypocrisy that group to write the farm bill as they make about the courageous acts of 51 somehow the Federal Government’s saw it needing to be written and also to Texas legislators last week, I want to rules and regulations are necessary to score it, to come up with what it was join my Republican colleagues in protect the environment. We will im- going to cost; and so this was kind of a thanking Congressman LARRY COMBEST pose them on small business or local unique approach because I think every- for so many years of dedicated public government but not on us ourselves. It body that tried began to realize how service to the State of Texas and to our is the wrong signal and the wrong di- complex this was. country. rection to protect endangered species Again, he took input from every Those of us who believe that one of and the health of our planet. group. The bill was written in full com- the strengths of our country comes f mittee, which I appreciated. Everybody from the values of rural America, one had a chance to speak their piece. It of the strengths of our economy comes REPORT ON RESOLUTION PRO- was truly bipartisan. We hear the term from the productivity of our family VIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF bipartisan around here all the time, farmers and ranchers, all of us who be- H.R. 1904, HEALTHY FORESTS but this was a case where I can really, lieve those things owe a debt of grati- RESTORATION ACT OF 2003 honestly say that I do not believe ei- tude, an everlasting debt of gratitude Mr. HASTINGS of Washington, from ther side was given any advantage and to LARRY COMBEST for his bipartisan the Committee on Rules, submitted a that each side felt they had equal own- and strong leadership in our country privileged report (Rept. No. 108–109) on ership, and as a result the farm bill was not only as chairman of the Committee the resolution (H. Res. 239) providing passed almost unanimously out of the on Agriculture but as chairman of the for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1904) Committee on Agriculture. very important Permanent Select to improve the capacity of the Sec- LARRY was under a great deal of pres- Committee on Intelligence through retary of Agriculture and the Sec- sure to delay the writing of the farm which he served our Nation’s security retary of the Interior to plan and con- bill until 2003. Yet he realized that ag- in so many important ways. duct hazardous fuels reduction projects riculture was in trouble, that we were Mr. Speaker, I do want to talk about on National Forest System lands and surviving each year on roughly a 7, $7.5 the actions of last week where we had VerDate Jan 31 2003 05:00 May 20, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K19MY7.037 H19PT1 H4224 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE May 19, 2003 51 Texas legislators who fought to stop unlawful and certainly unethical use of ington, D.C., and Austin, Texas, today U.S. House Majority Leader TOM Federal resources, antiterrorism re- that should be of great and grave con- DELAY from forcing a divisive, partisan sources to track down the law-abiding cern to all Americans. Because, Mr. and unnecessary congressional redis- citizen Pete Laney? Speaker, the Department of Homeland tricting plan through the Texas House Secondly, do you have something to Security, a U.S. government agency, of Representatives. Their act of cour- hide? Why is our U.S. homeland secu- has basically now had to admit that it age was heralded by editorial boards rity agency afraid to let the American used a homeland security plane and throughout our State of Texas. I salute people and the press know what was in government resources for political pur- legislators like Jim Dunnam and John that conversation? poses and now they are covering it up. Mabry from my hometown of Waco, Thirdly, does the public not deserve As most of the country now knows, Texas.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Co the 1993-95
    If you have issues viewing or accessing this file contact us at NCJRS.gov. EXCELLENCE AND EQUIN FOR ALL STUDENTS 1993 THE 1993-95 STATE PLAN 1~O REDUCE THE co DROPOUT RATE 1504.16 U.S. Department of Justice National Institute of Justice This document has been reproduced exactly as received from the person or organization originating it. Points of view or opinions stated in this document are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the National Institute of Justice. Permission to reproduce this copyrighted material has been granted by Texas Education Agency to the National Criminal Justice Reference Service (NCJRS). Further reproduction outside of the NCJRS system requires permission of the copyright owner. Texas Education Agency Austin, Texas NCJRS OCT 5 1994 EXCELLEf\lCE AND EQU!TY ACQUHSITRONS FOR ALL STUDENTS May 1993 ThE 1993-95 STATE PLAN TO REDUCE THE DROPOUT RATE A REPORT FROM THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION Submitted to the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Speaker, and the Seventy-Third Texas Legislature / J Texas Education Agency This publication is not copyrighted; any or all sections may be Austin, Texas duplicated. After an initial free distribution to authorized institutions, addi­ tional copies may be purchased for $2 from the Publications Distribution Office of the Texas Education Agency, 1701 North Congress Avenue, Austin, TX 78701-1494. State Board Of Education\ 1701 North Congress Avenue Austin. Texas 78701·1494 (512) 463·9007 May 1993 The Honorable Ann W. Richards, Governor of Texas The Honorable Bob Bullock, Lieutenant Governor of Texas The Honorable Pete Laney, Speaker of the House Members of the 73rd Legislature: Texas Education Code §11.205(d), Dropout Reduction Program, requires the Texas Education Agency to write a plan to reduce the state's cross-sectional and longitudinal dropout rates to not more than five percent by 1997-98.
    [Show full text]
  • Amicus Brief of Former Speakers of the House
    No. 21-0538 In the Supreme Court of Texas IN RE CHRIS TURNER, IN HIS CAPACITY AS A MEMBER OF THE TEXAS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND HIS CAPACITY AS CHAIR OF THE HOUSE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS; TEXAS AFL-CIO; HOUSE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS; MEXICAN AMERICAN LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS; TEXAS LEGISLATIVE BLACK CAUCUS; LEGISLATIVE STUDY GROUP; THE FOLLOWING IN THEIR CAPACITIES AS MEMBERS OF THE TEXAS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES: ALMA ALLEN, RAFAEL ANCHÍA, MICHELLE BECKLEY, DIEGO BERNAL, RHETTA BOWERS, JOHN BUCY, ELIZABETH CAMPOS, TERRY CANALES, SHERYL COLE, GARNET COLEMAN, NICOLE COLLIER, PHILIP CORTEZ, JASMINE CROCKETT, YVONNE DAVIS, JOE DESHOTEL, ALEX DOMINGUEZ, HAROLD DUTTON, JR., ART FIERRO, BARBARA GERVIN-HAWKINS, JESSICA GONZÁLEZ, MARY GONZÁLEZ, VIKKI GOODWIN, BOBBY GUERRA, RYAN GUILLEN, ANA HERNANDEZ, GINA HINOJOSA, DONNA HOWARD, CELIA ISRAEL, ANN JOHNSON, JARVIS JOHNSON, JULIE JOHNSON, TRACY KING, OSCAR LONGORIA, RAY LOPEZ, EDDIE LUCIO III, ARMANDO MARTINEZ, TREY MARTINEZ FISCHER, TERRY MEZA, INA MINJAREZ, JOE MOODY, CHRISTINA MORALES, EDDIE MORALES, PENNY MORALES SHAW, SERGIO MUÑOZ, JR., VICTORIA NEAVE, CLAUDIA ORDAZ PEREZ, EVELINA ORTEGA, LEO PACHECO, MARY ANN PEREZ, ANA-MARIA RAMOS, RICHARD RAYMOND, RON REYNOLDS, EDDIE RODRIGUEZ, RAMON ROMERO, JR., TONI ROSE, JON ROSENTHAL, CARL SHERMAN, SR., JAMES TALARICO, SHAWN THIERRY, SENFRONIA THOMPSON, JOHN TURNER, HUBERT VO, ARMANDO WALLE, GENE WU, AND ERIN ZWIENER; AND THE FOLLOWING IN THEIR CAPACITIES AS LEGISLATIVE EMPLOYEES: KIMBERLY PAIGE BUFKIN, MICHELLE CASTILLO, RACHEL PIOTRZKOWSKI, AND DONOVON RODRIGUEZ, Relators. Brief of Amici Curiae Former Speakers of the Texas House of Representatives and former Lieutenant Governor of the State of Texas in Support of Petition for Writ of Mandamus Jessica L. Ellsworth Blayne Thompson (pro hac vice application forthcoming) State Bar No.
    [Show full text]
  • Cracking Back: the Effectiveness of Partisan Redistricting in the Texas House of Representatives
    Cracking Back: The Effectiveness of Partisan Redistricting in the Texas House of Representatives Brian K. Arbour and Seth C. McKee We assess the partisan consequences of alternative redistricting plans in 2001 for the Texas House of Representatives. In the paper, we combine a methodological tool (the JudgeIt program) that allows us to examine both enacted and proposed redistricting maps with data from not only the districts used in the 2002 and 2004 Texas House elections, but also from districts that existed only in proposed plans. We find that each redistricting plan benefited their sponsor’s party. In fact, a plan supported and advocated by Democratic Speaker Pete Laney is projected to have kept a Democratic majority in the Texas House after the 2002 elections. Our data also demonstrate that rules matter in redistricting, especially in the context of substantial party system change shown by the growth of the Republican Party in Texas. In 2003, the redistricting battle in Texas played out in dramatic fashion, as Democrats in the Texas House and Texas Senate both left the state at different times in an ultimately unsuccessful attempt to stop the majority in the Legislature from implementing a congressional redistricting plan that greatly favored Republicans. In this paper, we show that the drama provided by the escapes to Ardmore, Oklahoma and Albuquerque, New Mexico are the result of a previous redistricting—the 2001 redrawing of lines for the Texas House of Representatives. Those new lines allowed Republicans to take the majority in that body in the 2002 elections and complete the first sweep of Texas government by Republicans since Reconstruction.
    [Show full text]
  • Legislative Budget Estimates 1998
    LEGISLATIVE BUDGET ESTIMATES FOR THE 1998 –1999 BIENNIUM SUBMITTED TO THE 75TH TEXAS LEGISLATURE Legislative Budget Board January 1997 THE STATE OF TEXAS LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR BOB BULLOCK, CHAIRMAN, AUSTIN SPEAKER JAMES E. “PETE” LANEY, VICE-CHAIRMAN, HALE CENTER SENATOR BILL RATLIFF, MT. PLEASANT P.O. BOX 12666 REPRESENTATIVE ROBERT (ROB) JUNELL, SAN ANGELO CHAIRMAN, SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE AUSTIN, TEXAS 78711 CHAIRMAN, HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE SENATOR KEN ARMBRISTER, VICTORIA REPRESENTATIVE TOM CRADDICK, MIDLAND CHAIRMAN, SENATE STATE AFFAIRS COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, HOUSE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE SENATOR TEEL BIVINS, AMARILLO REPRESENTATIVE CHRISTINE HERNANDEZ, SAN ANTONIO SENATOR CARLOS TRUAN, CORPUS CHRISTI REPRESENTATIVE MARK STILES, BEAUMONT January 6, 1997 Honorable Governor of Texas Honorable Members of the Seventy-fifth Legislature Assembled in Regular Session Ladies and Gentlemen: This budget estimates document was prepared and compiled by the director and staff of the Legislative Budget Board in compliance with the provisions of Section 322.008, Government Code, and provides recommended funding for the operation of Texas state government for the 1998-99 biennium. In general, under guidelines established by the Legislative Budget Board, this recommended budget would limit agency funding to spending levels expected during the 1996-97 biennium, except for increases provided under the following circumstances: expenditures necessary to provide for projected public school enrollment growth, tax rate growth, district property value changes, and equity standards under school finance current law; projected growth in adult and youth corrections populations and children in foster or related care; debt payments and projected cost increases in Medicaid. In order to provide for unanticipated enrollment/caseload growth, a contingency fund is also included in these recommendations.
    [Show full text]
  • December 17, 2018 Inside This Edition of Capitol Roundup: Rep. Alvarado Wins Special Election to Houston's State Senate District
    December 17, 2018 Quote of the Week Inside this edition of Capitol Roundup: "We're going to miss you. Your decency, sincerity, and kind soul will stay with us forever. Through our tears, let us know the blessings of knowing and loving you, a great and noble man, the Rep. Alvarado wins special best father a son or daughter can have. And in our grief, let us election to Houston's state smile knowing that Dad is hugging Robin, and holding Mom's hand Senate District 6 seat again." -George W. Bush Former AGC-TBB chair Mike Novak named executive director of Texas Facilities Commission Rep. Dennis Bonnen builds a team of staffers as he prepares to step into House Speaker position *** Former president George W. Bush gave a tearful eulogy for his father, George H.W. Bush, this month. The 41st President passed Please feel free to forward away at his Houston home on Friday, Nov. 30. Click here to view this information to others the full eulogy. and reply by email with any changes or additions you'd like to see. Alvarado wins special election to state Senate seat in Houston State Rep. Carol Alvarado (D-Houston) prevailed last Tuesday in a Archives four-candidate race to fill the Senate District 6 seat vacated by Sen. Sylvia Garcia (D-Houston). Click here to access past Alvarado won just over half of the vote - 50.4 percent - to narrowly editions of Capitol avoid a runoff election against her House colleague Rep. Ana Roundup. Hernandez (D-Houston), who received 24.3 percent.
    [Show full text]
  • Policy Report Texas Fact Book 2006
    Te x a s F a c t Book 2006 LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD SEVENTY-NINTH TEXAS LEGISLATURE 2005 – 2006 DAVID DEWHURST, CO-CHAIR Lieutenant Governor, Austin TOM CRADDICK, CO-CHAIR Representative District 82, Midland Speaker of the House of Representatives STEVE OGDEN Senatorial District 5, Bryan Chair, Senate Committee on Finance ROBERT DUNCAN Senatorial District 28, Lubbock JOHN WHITMIRE Senatorial District 15, Houston JUDITH ZAFFIRINI Senatorial District 21, Laredo JIM PITTS Representative District 10, Waxahachie Chair, House Committee on Appropriations JAMES KEFFER Representative District 60, Eastland Chair, House Committee on Ways and Means FRED HILL Representative District 112, Richardson VILMA LUNA Representative District 33, Corpus Christi JOHN O’BRIEN, Deputy Director CONTENTS STATE GOVERNMENT STATEWIDE ELECTED OFFICIALS . 1 MEMBERS OF THE SEVENTY-NINTH TEXAS LEGISLATURE . 3 The Senate . 3 The House of Representatives . 4 SENATE STANDING COMMITTEES . 8 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES STANDING COMMITTEES . 10 BASIC STEPS IN THE TEXAS LEGISLATIVE PROCESS . 14 TEXAS AT A GLANCE GOVERNORS OF TEXAS . 15 HOW TEXAS RANKS Agriculture . 17 Crime and Law Enforcement . 17 Defense . 18 Economy . 18 Education . 18 Employment and Labor . 19 Environment and Energy . 19 Federal Government Finance . 20 Geography . 20 Health . 20 Housing. 21 Population . 21 Social Welfare . 22 State and Local Government Finance . 22 Technology . 23 Transportation . 23 Border Facts . 24 STATE HOLIDAYS, 2006 . 25 STATE SYMBOLS . 25 POPULATION Texas Population Compared with the U.S. 26 Texas and the U.S. Annual Population Growth Rates . 27 Resident Population, 15 Most Populous States . 28 Percentage Change in Population, 15 Most Populous States . 28 Texas Resident Population, by Age Group .
    [Show full text]
  • Court Review: Volume 43, Issue 2 •Fi Judicial Reform in Texas
    University of Nebraska - Lincoln DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln Court Review: The Journal of the American Judges Association American Judges Association 2006 Court Review: Volume 43, Issue 2 – Judicial Reform in Texas: A Look Back After Two Decades Anthony Champagne Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/ajacourtreview Part of the Jurisprudence Commons Champagne, Anthony, "Court Review: Volume 43, Issue 2 – Judicial Reform in Texas: A Look Back After Two Decades" (2006). Court Review: The Journal of the American Judges Association. 210. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/ajacourtreview/210 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the American Judges Association at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in Court Review: The Journal of the American Judges Association by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. Judicial Reform in Texas: A Look Back After Two Decades Anthony Champagne ne of the most frequently quoted comments on judicial partisan judicial elections. It did not take long, however, for reform is the late New Jersey Chief Justice Arthur T. other states to follow. The Texas judicial experience was actu- OVanderbilt’s remark, “Judicial reform is not for the ally a harbinger of things to come in other state judicial elec- short-winded.”1 Vanderbilt’s remark illustrates a key point tions. about judicial selection reform. Reforms do not occur simply With the rise of this new level of competition in judicial because someone or some group in a state decides that change elections, there was a major push to change the system of in the system of selection is desirable; rather, it is necessary for selection in Texas.
    [Show full text]
  • The Texas Experience
    Journal of Political Science Volume 34 Number 1 Article 1 November 2006 "Learning to Govern": The Texas Experience Tiffany Barnes Timothy J. O'Neill Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.coastal.edu/jops Part of the Political Science Commons Recommended Citation Barnes, Tiffany and O'Neill, Timothy J. (2006) ""Learning to Govern": The Texas Experience," Journal of Political Science: Vol. 34 : No. 1 , Article 1. Available at: https://digitalcommons.coastal.edu/jops/vol34/iss1/1 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Politics at CCU Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Journal of Political Science by an authorized editor of CCU Digital Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. "Learning to Govern": The Texas Experience Tiffany Barnes & Timothy J. O'Neill Southwestern Univers ity The Republican Party took control of the Texas House of Representatives for the first time in 130 yea rs on Januar y 14 , 2003. How did the Texas House change as the Republicans learned how to be the majority party and the Democrats struggled with being the minority ? The Texas House 's painful shift from a partially bipar­ tisan to a fully partisan chamber was not only the product of inexperienced Leadership and harsh partisan bullying. The changes were Largely the product of a broader pro cess of electoral calculation and co nse ­ quent deinstitutionalization affecting man y other state leg islatures that have not ex peri ence d recent shifts in party control. n January 14, 2003, the first Republican majority in 130 years took control of the Texas House of Representa­ Otives.
    [Show full text]
  • November 10, 2003 Evelyn A. Petschek Commissioner Tax
    November 10, 2003 Evelyn A. Petschek Commissioner Tax Exempt and Government Entities Division Internal Revenue Service 1111 Constitution Avenue, NW Washington, D.C. 20224 BY FAX: 202-283-9973 Dear Commissioner Petschek: We are writing to request that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) investigate apparent violations of the reporting requirements of Section 527 of the Internal Revenue Code by Texans for a Republican Majority Political Action Committee (“TRMPAC”) and its related entity, Americans for a Republican Majority Political Action Committee (“ARMPAC”). The potential violations of the code include: · TRMPAC has ceased filing reports on its fundraising of corporate money with the Internal Revenue Service (Form 8872); · TRMPAC has not filed reports of comparable information with the Texas Ethics Commission, the state disclosure authority in Texas, as otherwise required by the Internal Revenue Code; · TRMPAC has not fully and accurately disclosed its association with ARMPAC on its Form 8871 filed with the IRS; and · ARMPAC has failed to identify at least some of its major contributors, including Bacardi and Epiphany Productions. TRMPAC Fundraising Activities Texans for a Republican Majority (EIN #74-3014202) is registered with the Internal Revenue Service as a 527 organization, which requires it to file Form 8872 listing its contributions and expenditures on a regular basis. [See Attachment A, Form 8871, “Texans for a Republican Majority.”] The committee was formed on September 5, 2001 by Rep. Tom DeLay (R-Texas) for the purpose of promoting Republican candidacies in Texas state elections. The committee was organized as a state-based version of DeLay’s former national soft money group, Americans for a Republican Majority.
    [Show full text]
  • Toobin Texas Dept.L.Indd
    ANNALS OF LAW DRAWING THE LINE Will Tom DeLay’s redistricting in Texas cost him his seat? BY JEFFREY TOOBIN or three days in October of 2003, can be traced to the redistricting fight. Tom DeLay left his duties as ma- Today, his victory in that battle looks jorityF leader of the House of Represen- fragile. On March 1st, the Supreme tatives and worked out of the Texas state Court will hear a challenge to the Texas capitol, in Austin. During the previous congressional map, and the outcome is by year, DeLay had led his Republican col- no means clear. In the first major case to leagues there in an effort to redraw the be heard by the two new Justices, John G. boundaries of the state’s congressional Roberts, Jr., and Samuel A. Alito, Jr., districts. For more than a century, con- the Court will weigh the constitution- gressional redistricting had taken place ality of the Texas plan, which represents once every decade, after the national just one of the partisan gerrymanders census, but the Texas Republicans were that have transformed Congress in recent trying to redraw lines that had been ap- years. The Republican majority in Texas proved just two years earlier. Several and the Bush Justice Department are times during the long days of negotiat- asking the Court to preserve the Texas ing sessions, DeLay personally shuttled plan. But DeLay’s political fortunes have proposed maps among House and Sen- changed so much that, paradoxically, the ate offices in Austin. Once, when report- best thing that could happen to him now ers glimpsed DeLay striding through the may be for the Court to strike down the corridors of the state capitol, they asked plan he created.
    [Show full text]
  • HOUSE JOURNAL — 1St Day 1 HOUSE JOURNAL SEVENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE, REGULAR SESSION PROCEEDINGS
    Tuesday, January 12, 1999 HOUSE JOURNAL — 1st Day 1 HOUSE JOURNAL SEVENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE, REGULAR SESSION PROCEEDINGS FIRST DAY — TUESDAY, JANUARY 12, 1999 In accordance with the laws and Constitution of the State of Texas, the members-elect of the House of Representatives assembled this day in the hall of the house of representatives in the city of Austin at 12 noon. The Honorable Elton Bomer, secretary of state of the State of Texas, called the House of Representatives of the Seventy-Sixth Legislature of the State of Texas to order. The invocation was offered by Dr. Wallace Davis, President, Wayland Baptist University, as follows: May we pray. Our most gracious Heavenly Father, on this historic day we acknowledge with grateful hearts those manifold blessings you have so graciously showered upon our state. In both good times and bad, you’ve blessed our land, you’ve preserved its people. Dear Father, as this legislative body now convenes, we pray your continued blessings on its members, on its leadership, and on those families willing to accept personal hardships so these men and women can serve a grateful state. And we pray your blessings on a people. A people who ask only that those who sit in this body protect with word and deed both the rights and responsibilities of the free people of Texas. In your holy word it is written that where there is moral rot within a nation, its government topples easily. But with honest, sensible leaders, there is stability. Sadly we have witnessed the painful truth of your words.
    [Show full text]
  • Policy Report Texas Fact Book 2004
    TEXAS FACT BOOK CONTENTS III LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD SEVENTY-EIGHTH TEXAS LEGISLATURE 2003 – 2004 DAVID DEWHURST, CO-CHAIR Austin, Lieutenant Governor TOM CRADDICK, CO-CHAIR Representative District 82, Midland Speaker of the House of Representatives TEEL BIVINS Senatorial District 31, Amarillo Chair, Committee on Finance BILL RATLIFF Senatorial District 1, Mt. Pleasant CHRIS HARRIS Senatorial District 9, Arlington JOHN WHITMIRE Senatorial District 15, Houston TALMADGE HEFLIN Representative District 149, Houston Chair, House Committee on Appropriations RON WILSON Representative District 131, Houston Chair, House Committee on Ways and Means FRED HILL Representative District 112, Richardson VILMA LUNA Representative District 33, Corpus Christi JOHN KEEL, Director TEXAS FACT BOOK CONTENTS I II CONTENTS TEXAS FACT BOOK THE TRAVIS LETTER FROM THE ALAMO Commandancy of the Alamo–– Bejar, Feby. 24, 1836 To the People of Texas & All Americans in the World –– Fellow citizens & compatriots –– I am besieged, by a thousand or more of the Mexicans under Santa Anna –– I have sustained a continual Bombardment & cannonade for 24 hours & have not lost a man –– The enemy has demanded a surrender at discretion, otherwise, the garrison are to be put to the sword, if the fort is taken –– I have answered the demand with a cannon shot, & our flag still waves proudly from the walls –– I shall never surrender or retreat. Then, I call on you in the name of Liberty, of patriotism & everything dear to the American character, to come to our aid, with all dispatch –– The enemy is receiving reinforcements daily & will no doubt increase to three or four thousand in four or five days.
    [Show full text]