LONE STAR RISING

The Cave

2011-09-05T06:56:00.003-07:00

Rewind to 2400 years ago, there was a man, whom we today know as the Greek philosopher Plato, who understood humans very deeply. He knew that all human beings are averse to change. He knew that human beings are comfortable living a known, shallow life. He knew that they believed in and were so dependent on the norms and ethics of the society that they would never be able to survive without them. So, even if at some level they felt that the norms were not in accordance to what they believed in, they never questioned them.

Through allegory of the cave symbolism, Plato brings to light all these traits of human nature i.e. walking a known path rather than leading a life full of obstacles and challenges to find the "real truth". To simplify this philosophy topic, given below, in short, is the allegory of the cave summary.

Understanding Allegory of the Cave

Humans are Prisoners in a Cave
According to Plato's allegory of the cave, the way we perceive things around us and the way we lead our lives, is actually not the "truth". We human beings are leading ignorant, incomplete lives, following the paths, rules, norms, ethics, set by the previous generations, without questioning them. Plato brings up this plight of humans by depicting them as prisoners in a cave. These prisoners are sitting facing a wall, tied in chains, with a fire between them and the wall, which makes shadows on the wall. The prisoners mistakenly think that these shadows on the walls are the "reality", cause that is what the fellow prisoners or the ones before them conveyed.

Questioner Escapes to Explore the "Truth"
Generations come and generations go and the prisoners lead the same unaware and ignorant lives in the dark caves, until one of the prisoners starts questioning. This prisoner breaks the chains that bind him and in order to know the real truth, escapes the caves into the unknown world. In the outside world, this questioner faces lots of challenges as he is not used to the sunlight, to the presence of nature and all its elements around him. The questioner, in spite of these obstacles, starts exploring this new world to seek reality. He treads on a lonely, unknown path to discover the truth, but does not give up his questioning spirit.

Philosopher Returns to Guide
At some point, this questioner, thinks of going back to the caves to tell the other prisoners about the reality. To tell them that there is a beautiful world out there, waiting for them, and that there is more to life than just the cave and its "imaginary reality" as depicted by the shadows. When the questioner, now a philosopher, shares this new found knowledge with the other captives of the cave, he is met with disbelief. People think of him as a pariah who should be removed from the society, to preserve its belief systems. People are averse to any kind of change, which the philosopher tries to bring about with his knowledge of the real truth, as they have become used to and dependent on the norms and ethics, handed over to them by their predecessors.

Through this allegory of the cave summary, one can conclude that most of the human beings would rather live a comfortable, happy and familiar life, than a life full of challenges and pain, which would ultimately lead them to the "larger truths of life". Most human beings are contended with the "consensus reality", i.e. the reality agreed by all, even if it is as imaginary and as unreal as the shadows on the walls of the cave. Humans are contended that they have the security of a family, of a society, of religion around them. However, according to Plato, there will come one questioner, one philosopher, from time to time, who will critically look at himself and the world around him, who will wonder why things are the way they are and then will make his own decisions regarding how things should be.

By Aastha Dogra

State Rep. Aaron Peña Invites Potential Candidates to Run Against Him

2011-07-21T07:39:00.000-07:00

Peña: Run, Dolly, Run

21 July 2011
Steve Taylor

EDINBURG, July 21 - Hidalgo County Democratic Party Chair Dolly Elizondo may have more than $100,000 available for a Texas House District 41 campaign but she will not be allowed to run.

That is the view of state Rep. Aaron Peña, R-Edinburg, whom Elizondo wants to challenge and defeat. Peña was a Democrat all of his adult life until he switched parties last December. He said he knows how the Democratic Party operates in Hidalgo County.

“Just as certain as the sun comes up tomorrow, the political bosses that run the Democratic Party down here will not let Dolly run,” Peña said, in an exclusive interview with the Guardian. “I want Dolly to run. I want all of them to run. More power to them. Run, Dolly, run.”

Peña did not say who the “political bosses” are but he did say they exert a lot of power.

“One of the reasons why the Democratic Party is dysfunctional is because they make decisions from a Star Chamber. This is supposed to be the Democratic Party and a democratic process. It is not supposed to be about backroom deals,” he said.

Elizondo has said she is considering a run for District 41, which was drastically changed by Republican lawmakers during the redistricting process to include dozens more GOP-leaning precincts. Peña, who currently represents heavily Democratic District 40, was drawn into the district by his Republican colleagues in the Texas House.

Annie’s List, an Austin-based group that seeks to elect more progressive women to elected office in Texas, believes Elizondo would make a great representative for District 41. Annie’s List Executive Director Robert Jones told the Guardian that the group stands ready to commit upwards of $100,000 to a progressive woman candidate in order to defeat Peña.

Elizondo told the Guardian earlier this month that she and other leading Democrats want to avoid a costly and potentially bruising primary battle in District 41. Rather, she said, she and others plan to meet privately to choose a candidate District 41 Democrats can rally behind. It that was to happen, minimal resources would need to be expended in the primary, with the war chest preserved for the general election fight against Peña.

Peña can sit back and watch the Democrats slug it out from now until the March primary knowing he will not need to engage until the general election campaign gets underway after March. It is naturally in his interest to see a knock down, drag out fight among Democrats.

“I believe I reflect the values of this district and as long as it is about issues I believe I will defeat them,” he said.

In addition to Elizondo, the names of Edinburg businessman T.C. Betancourt, Edinburg attorney Sergio Sanchez, and McAllen attorney and former Hidalgo County Democratic Party Chair R.D. “Bobby” Guerra have been talked about as potential candidates in the Democratic Party primary for District 41. Betancourt told the Guardian this week that he will formally announce his candidacy within the next few weeks.

With regard to Elizondo, Peña said the local Democratic Party leadership will not allow liberals from Austin to dictate who the candidate is. “Annie’s List is a far left-leaning organization and does not represent the values of the district,” Peña said.

With regard to Betancourt and Sanchez, Peña said he sees himself in them. “When I first ran people told me I could not. They said I needed to have the permission of the bosses; that I had to kiss the ring. I did not wait, I just ran and they have been after me ever since. So, more power to Mr. Betancourt and the other fellow. I see myself in some of these people,” he said.

With regard to Guerra, Peña pointed out that he grew up just a block away from him. “His family is a lot like my family. I don’t think he is aware outside the Valley how different the party is. If he were to win, I don’t think they would tolerate him. The progressives don’t want a centrist like Bobby,” he said.

Peña acknowledged it was strange for a Republican to be giving advice on how to democratize the workings of the Democratic Party. However, he said his former colleagues were so dysfunctional that something has to be done. He criticized “leftist” groups in Austin for dictating what Valley Democrats should do and say, and he criticized local “political bosses” for not allowing a free flow of ideas or young talent to emerge.

“I am giving them advice and I’m a Republican,” Peña said. “The Valley people still think they are the basis of the party. They are. They just let Austin run them.”

This appeared in the Rio Grande Guardian, www.riograndeguardian.com on July 21, 2010. The author is Steve Taylor.

Rep. Aaron Peña Brings 400 Jobs to His Hometown

2011-07-10T11:34:00.001-07:00

A major state contractor will open a South Texas call center for social services applicants next month in the hometown of Rep. Aaron Peña, R-Edinburg.

In a press release, Reston, Va.-based MAXIMUS Inc. made a point of mentioning its collaboration with Peña, a five-term House member who changed parties after the November election.

"Edinburg is a great location and a good fit for our additional call center operations," said MAXIMUS executive Leslie Wolfe, announcing the company expects to employ 400 people there by the end of 2012, as part of its contract helping support eligiblility-determination work by the Health and Human Services Commission. "We are pleased to be working with HHSC, state Rep. Aaron Peña and our friends in Edinburg to provide crucial enrollment assistance to recipients of state health services."

Peña, reached by phone late Tuesday, acknowledged he lobbied for the center to be located in Edinburg.

"I can't take all of the credit myself," said Peña (above, Austin American-Statesman photo). "I've got to give [Gov. Rick Perry's] office and others involved credit for what they did."

The Edinburg operation will be the fifth call center for the state's partially privatized eligibility-screening system for Medicaid, food stamps, cash assistance and the Children's Health Insurance Program, said commission spokesman Geoff Wool. The others are in Athens, Austin, Midland and San Antonio.

Wool, asked if the location decision was the contractor's to make, replied, "It's not strictly their choice. They recommended the [Rio Grande] Valley for the robust labor market and the deep pool of potential bilingual employees and we approved."

Peña said he argued to Perry aides that "many of the people being serviced were from South Texas" and that the Valley's become a hub for call centers because many there know both English and Spanish. "Who better to be on the phone than the people who understand the culture and the community of South Texas?" he said.

Peña, who said he's running for re-election, said he strives for "good relations with all the statewides" -- Republicans such as Perry who hold state constitutional offices.

When the state launched the trouble-plagued privatization effort in 2005, previous contractor Accenture located one of the new call centers in Midland, home to then-Speaker Tom Craddick. Peña, though, dismissed suggestions he's exercising big-time clout as a recent Republican convert.

"My job is to advocate for my community, and I do that every chance I have," he said.

printed in the Dallas Morning News by Robert Garrett

Valley Delegation Photo

2011-05-06T10:54:00.001-07:00

Rio Grande Valley Democrat Mulls Switch to GOP Amid Growing Frustration with Party Leadership

2010-12-11T20:50:00.000-08:00

By Mike Hailey, Capitol Inside Editor

State Rep. Aaron Peña is contemplating a possible conversion to the GOP as a result of growing disenchantment with the Democratic leadership that he says has neglected Hispanics, alienated small business and excluded moderate and conservative party members in the Texas House.

Peña, an Edinburg Democrat who entered the lower chamber since 2003, said he will make a decision on a potential party switch after returning to Texas from a brief vacation that he and his wife have been taking out of state.

Peña would give the Republicans an unprecedented supermajority with 100 House seats when the regular session convenes in January if he decides to join the GOP.

Peña suggested that he feels compelled to put an end to speculation about his partisan allegiance after being deluged with calls in the wake of a barrage of criticism that he leveled at the Democratic Party and its leadership in Texas in an interview this week with a South Texas publication.

Peña said that Democrats who've contacted him argue that the party can become competitive again within the decade. “Many of the calls from Republicans, including lawmakers, were that our community can still have a seat at the table now," Pena added. "Why wait a decade when you can have opportunities now?

A 51-year-old attorney who represents one of the poorest districts in Texas, Peña would become the second House member to make such a switch in the past 13 months if he changes teams after winning five terms as a Democrat and running unopposed for re-election in 2010. But while State Rep. Chuck Hopson of Jacksonville found it much easier to win as a Republican in a rural East Texas district after switching parties last year, Peña would rolling the dice in a high-stakes gamble in a re-election bid in 2012 as a Republican in a part of the state where the GOP has won only one House race in modern times.

While Harlingen lawyer Ken Fleuriet broke the Democratic Party's monopoly on House seats in the Rio Grande Valley when he claimed an open seat in neighboring Cameron County in 1990, no Republican has ever been elected to any office in Hidalgo County where Peña is based.

But Peña has been warning since he considered a campaign for state party chair 10 years ago that the GOP would make significant inroads in South Texas if Democratic leaders continued to take the Hispanic vote for granted. But Peña stirred a hornet's nest when he reiterated that assertion in a story in the Rio Grande Guardian on Friday when he pointed to a GOP sweep last month in three House races in the Coastal Bend and Republican Blake Farenthold's stunning win over veteran U.S. Rep. Solomon Ortiz of Corpus Christi as prime examples of what he's been predicting for years.

Peña told Capitol Inside at the Democrats' state convention in Corpus Christi this summer that the Democratic Party had become largely irrelevant in the Rio Grande Valley even though a majority of the voters there still backed its candidates as a result of family heritage and culture. Pena's concerns appeared to be reinforced that day when the Hispanic Caucus refused to endorse Texas Democratic Party Chairman Boyd Richie in his campaign for re-election to the leadership post. While Richie claimed a new term as party leader by an overwhelming margin of support before the convention adjourned, a little-known challenger had more support among delegates from the Rio Grande Valley.

Several months later, Peña suggested the several House Democrats from suburban swing districts in the state's largest cities would have trouble winning re-election as a consequence of relatively liberal voting records that reflected the positions of the leaders and operatives who'd recruited them to run. Democrats ended losing all but two of more than a dozen seats they'd picked up in recent years in suburban districts when the GOP won 99 House races with a 22-seat net gain in the November general election.

One of the suburban Republicans who lost, Dan Neil of Austin, hasn't conceded so far in a race that Democratic State Rep. Donna Howard won by 12 votes in a recount. The GOP would have 101 House seats in 2011 if Neil challenges the outcome of the Austin race and prevails and Peña switches parties.

Peña - a relatively conservative Democrat who drew the wrath of party leaders and activists when he backed Republican Tom Craddick's re-election bid for House speaker four years ago - told the local publication that Democratic power brokers in Dallas and Austin have been leading the party down the path of doom and depending almost exclusively on trial lawyers for funding.

Peña suggested that the Democratic leadership's focus on swing races in East Texas and suburban Dallas-Fort Worth area districts backfired when Democrats lost two House two seats in Corpus Christi, one in a district that's anchored by Alice and all of the seats that the party had been defending in the North Texas suburbs.

After supporting Craddick in 2007 when most of the House Democrats were attempting to oust him from the speaker's office, Peña survived a hotly-contested primary challenge the following year despite opposition from Democratic power brokers and activists from outside the district. But Peña and the vast majority of the chamber's Democrats rallied behind Republican Joe Straus when he unseated Craddick in early 2009 - and Peña reaffirmed his support for the current speaker when he appeared at a press conference with the incumbent the day after the election last month.

“I am who I am and my intention is to represent my community and to give them the best possible advantage under the current environment,” Peña said in response to questions about a possible party switch.

2010-10-17T18:06:00.000-07:00

Father And Son Send iPhone Into Space And Record Incredible Video

2010-10-17T15:08:00.001-07:00

Homemade Spacecraft from Luke Geissbuhler on Vimeo.

A father and son from Brooklyn, New York sent an iPhone into the stratosphere a few weeks ago to record a video of the earth's curvature.

Hidalgo County Presses Ahead With Disputed Election

2010-08-17T10:17:00.000-07:00

Texas’ top election official says it’s illegal. Local attorneys say they can’t do it. A judge ordered them to stop.

No matter; Rio Grande Valley officials are planning to go ahead and hold a special election in November to fill a seat on the Hidalgo County Commissioners' Court. Despite a letter from the Texas secretary of state and an order from a district judge each concluding that the county has no legal authority to conduct the election — and that the results won’t be certified — the county plans to press the issue, which could wind up before the Texas Supreme Court. “The secretary of state made a terrible mistake, in my opinion,” says Hidalgo County District Attorney Rene Guerra.

Guerra says Secretary of State Hope Andrade incorrectly interpreted the laws that govern the replacement of elected officials who resign. He says he just wants to make sure the county follows the proper procedure and that voters get a full say in choosing their leaders. But some in the county, including state Rep. Aaron Peña, D-Edinburg, allege that more nefarious motives are at work. Peña argues that the commissioners' court's current power players are working to keep their majority so they can continue awarding government contracts to their allies. “It’s the remnants of the old era of patronage, corruption and self-dealing,” he says. “It needs to end, and I’m not going to stay silent anymore.”

The whole kerfuffle started in March, when County Commissioner Sylvia Handy resigned her position after being indicted on and pleading guilty to charges of tax fraud and harboring undocumented immigrants. When Handy left the court, County Judge Rene Ramirez appointed A.C. Cuellar Jr., the president of a local concrete company, to the open spot. “I wanted somebody with a history of successful business practices who could go in and manage [the office] properly,” Ramirez says.

But Handy's term, which does not expire until December 2012, needed to be filled permanently by a candidate of Hidalgo County voters’ choosing. So the county started the process of putting candidates on the ballot for the November general election. Under the usual process, each of the political parties’ executive committees would nominate a candidate. Those candidates and any successful write-in candidates would then appear on the ballot. A number of candidates presented themselves to the Hidalgo County Democratic Party for nomination, including Cuellar and Mercedes Mayor Joel Quintanilla.

In May, the Hidalgo County Democratic Party’s executive committee met to select a nominee. Most expected Cuellar to easily slide onto the ballot, since he had already served in the position for two months. Instead, the committee narrowly chose Quintanilla.

Guerra, the county attorney, says he wasn’t too interested in the matter until Cuellar’s representative came to him with concerns about the outcome of the party’s nomination process. He began researching the mechanism for filling vacant offices. The way he reads the law, the political parties have no authority — in this case — to choose which candidate will be on the November ballot. A party can only choose a candidate if the person chosen in the March primary election cannot or will not run in the November general election. In this case, there was no primary election, so voters should still get the opportunity to choose who goes on the final ballot. Guerra says that should happen through a nonpartisan special election at the same time as the November general election. Then, provided no candidate wins a majority of the vote, the top two vote-getters would move on to a runoff election. “It’s a necessary procedure,” he says.

So Guerra told County Judge Ramirez he should call a special election instead of proceeding with the general election in November. At a commissioners' court meeting on Aug. 3, Ramirez ordered the special election over the objections of lawyer Steve Crain, who had previously advised the county. “He is the lawyer on this issue. He’s the one that represents our county,” Ramirez says of Guerra. “At end of the day, all we want is to make sure it was done right.”

But the secretary of state insists that's the wrong way to fill the open commissioner’s seat. In an Aug. 5 letter requesting an opinion on the matter from the Texas attorney general, Andrade wrote that the county has no authority to call a special election. “Should Hidalgo County proceed as planned with an election process never intended or authorized for the circumstances at issue, there will be complications,” she wrote. The county would have to invent a raft of rules for the election, including new filing deadlines, new filing fees, a system for write-in candidates to gather signatures — all of which, she wrote, would require preclearance under the federal Voting Rights Act.

Guerra remained convinced, however, that his interpretation of the election statutes was correct, and he told Hidalgo County elections administrator Yvonne Ramon that she should follow his instructions and ignore any directives from Andrade — the state's top election official. “I know the Secretary of State gives you a lot of guidance; I really appreciate this, because it reduces my load. On our special situation, I need for you to follow my advice,” Guerra wrote in an e-mail to the administrator.

With Andrade’s letter in hand, Quintanilla, the candidate the Democratic Party chose for the November ballot, filed a lawsuit to stop Guerra and Ramirez from pushing ahead with the special election. Although Quintanilla could theoretically run in the special election, just like Cuellar or any other candidate, if he were to win, he could never actually take office, says his attorney, Gilberto Hinojosa. “The secretary of state has declared [the special election] would be a nullity,” says Hinojosa, who is also chairman of the Cameron County Democratic Party. “What happens, essentially, is Cuellar remains as holdover for two years more.”

Hidalgo County District Judge Rudy Delgado agreed with Quintanilla and on Thursday ordered the county to stop the special election process and to follow the procedures set out by the secretary of state for a general election in November. “There is no basis in law for Defendant Rene A. Ramirez to have ordered a special election,” the judge wrote.

Still, the fight continues. Guerra appealed Delgado’s ruling, and Ramirez says he will continue following the district attorney's advice to proceed with the case and let the courts settle the matter. “The last thing anybody wants to do is to wake up one day and find out the process wasn’t done correctly,” Ramirez says.

Peña, in the meantime, has also asked Attorney General Greg Abbott to weigh in on the legal question, hoping the state’s top lawyer can put the issue to rest before the county spends more time and money on the court battle. “It’s just sad and embarrassing as we begin the 21st century that this sort of stuff is going on,” Peña says. He argues that county officials fighting to keep Cuellar on the ballot care not about what’s right but about preserving their power.

With their cronies on the court, Peña says, Ramirez and his allies can continue granting lucrative contracts to their friends. If Quintanilla or another candidate wins, he says, the balance of power and control of the county checkbook will shift. “It’s frustrating to me, because it’s your run-of-the-mill dirty South Texas politics,” he says.

Ramirez says Peña’s accusations are “so far from the truth” and nothing more than political theater. The empty commissioner’s seat, he says, is just one vote of five on the court. “I don’t know where he’s coming from,” Ramirez says. “At end of day, all we want is to make sure it was done right.”

By Brandi Grissom / Texas Tribune / August 17, 2010

Joel Quintanilla vs. Rene Ramirez

2010-08-13T10:16:00.000-07:00

document2010-08-13-114247

Thank You For Honoring Pedro Cano

2010-05-19T12:27:00.000-07:00

Thank you all so much for joining us in honoring the memory and the family of Private Pedro Cano.

Reporting on the Border: Peña joins TT editor Evan Smith, addresses UT students

2010-04-30T09:11:00.000-07:00

State Representative Aaron Peña spoke to UT students, Wednesday, regarding the emergence of social media in the reporting of cartel related violence in Northern Mexico. Addressing a class of graduate students at the LBJ School of Public Affairs, Peña described how such resources - including blogs, Twitter feeds, and YouTube videos - are all bridging the information gap created by a cartel crackdown on Mexican journalists.

"The traditional media in Northern Mexico is being harassed, threatened, kidnapped and killed into censorship" Peña said. "While there are many brave journalists still reporting on the violence, much of the information we receive is coming from regular people using social media to document what is happening around them."

Peña was invited to speak by Evan Smith, who teaches the class ("Pubic Affairs and the New Political Media"). Smith is the former editor in chief of Texas Monthly Magazine and the editor in chief of the Texas Tribune.

As chair of the House Select Committee on Emergency Preparedness, Peña has been tasked with examining Texas' preparedness for emergencies stemming from natural and criminal threats. Peña, himself a practitioner of the new social media, discussed how the web is cultivating a new breed of citizen journalists, the web's anonymity enabling them to shine a light on the drug fueled violence in Northern Mexico.

"Social media will be critical in providing us with new methods of communication," Peña told the class. "Smart phones, cameras, wireless internet and the websites that allow these stories to be told are vital to providing the public with information. These tools can inform, educate and help prepare our communities to respond to and recover from emergency threats."

For example, Twitter has emerged as a particularly useful tool in getting quick, concise updates out of Mexico to the rest of the world. As such, Peña has created a twitter feed - http://twitter.com/PrepareTexas - that can be used to collate information regarding border security in Texas and other threats.

The House Select Committee on Emergency Preparedness will hold it's next hearing in McAllen on May 17th at the McAllen convention Center (10:00 a.m.) The committee will discuss border security and hurricane preparedness in Texas. The hearing is open to the public.

For more information contact the Committee Clerk, Benjamin Wright, at 512 463 0426 or email benjamin.wright_hc@house.state.tx.us.

For Chairmen Peña's personal reflections, visit his blog at http://www.acapitolblog.com.

Outstanding Texas High School Migrant Students To Be Recognized

2010-03-24T09:05:00.000-07:00

AUSTIN, Texas — Outstanding high school migrant students from throughout Texas will be recognized during a special ceremony at 1 p.m., March 29 during the 23rd annual Migrant Student Recognition Ceremony at The University of Texas at Austin.

The ceremony in the ballroom of the university's Texas Union will honor Texas high school students who have completed distance learning courses through the university's Migrant Student Graduation Enhancement Program in the Division of Continuing & Innovative Education. The program provides flexible courses and support services that enable migrant students to meet or exceed high school graduation requirements.

Texas has the largest interstate migrant student population and the second-largest migrant education program in the nation. Students and their families migrate annually from Texas to 48 other states to work in agricultural and other seasonal jobs.

"The success of these dedicated students reaffirms my belief that the Migrant Student Graduation Enhancement Program makes a difference in the lives of our students and their families," said Dr. Linda Glessner, senior associate dean of Continuing & Innovative Education. "It opens the door of opportunity for these bright and gifted learners. I encourage each and every student to seek the highest level of education possible throughout their lifetime and give back to others in need. The Migrant Student Graduation Enhancement program is an investment in Texas' youth, to help them achieve their big dreams."

Forty exemplary migrant students featured in the "2010 Exemplary Migrant Students" publication will be recognized during the ceremony. Texas State Representative Aaron Peña, D-Edinburg, will present college scholarships to five students, including the two Exemplary Migrant Students of the Year and the top two Exemplary Migrant Students. For the first time this year, the winner of a creative award also will receive a scholarship. The entries students submitted for this award in woodworking, painting, singing, writing and photography will be displayed at the ceremony. All five $2,000 scholarships were provided by the Exxon Mobil Foundation, which has given annual scholarships to the program since 2002.

About 120 migrant students, 55 parents and 80 educators representing 21 school districts, including Brownsville, Corpus Christi, Donna, Eagle Pass, Edinburg, El Paso, Fabens, Fort Hancock, Goose Creek, Harlingen, La Joya, Levelland, McAllen, Memphis, Mission, Olton, Pharr-San Juan-Alamo, Point Isabel, Taylor, United and Weslaco will attend the ceremony. About 75 guests from The University of Texas at Austin, the Texas Education Agency and the Texas Legislature also are invited to the event, which will feature a performance by Mariachi Cocula, an Austin-based mariachi group.

During the day, the high school students will hear a presentation about the university application process and participate in a panel discussion with college students who are former migrant students to learn about college life. They will have lunch with college students in the Kinsolving Dining Center and will take a campus tour.

Since it began more than two decades ago, the Migrant Student Graduation Enhancement Program has enrolled more than 25,000 students in its mission to increase the graduation rate of high school migrant students in Texas. With funding from the Texas Education Agency and gifts from the Beaumont Foundation of America, the Exxon Mobil Foundation, the John G. and Marie Stella Kenedy Memorial Foundation and the Microsoft Corporation, the program helps Texas migrant students earn high school credits through distance learning courses that meet Texas curriculum requirements.

For more information, contact: Robert D. Meckel, Office of Public Affairs, 512 475 7847; Kevin Wier, Division of Continuing & Innovative Education, 512-471-2731; Peggy Wimberley, Migrant Student Graduation Enhancement Program, 512-471-6037.

A Texas Complete Count Committee

2010-02-11T11:20:00.000-08:00

MALDEF Press Release

MALDEF’s Southwest Regional Office is leading the charge to ensure that all Latinos in Texas are counted in the 2010 Census by chairing the newly-created Texas Latino Complete Count Committee. An accurate count, especially among hard-to-count Latinos such as immigrants, students, and the economically disadvantaged, is essential to ensuring that all communities receive their fair share of federal resources and political representation. The U.S. Census is the one time when everyone in the nation has an equal voice, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, income, education, or immigration status.

MALDEF needs your participation to promote Census 2010 in your community. To learn more and download materials visit MALDEF.org/Census2010.

Most governors and states have recognized the importance of this once-in-a-decade opportunity to ensure that their constituents are counted. As a result, the U.S. Census Bureau reports at least 36 states have formed statewide complete count committees to help with the Census. Sadly, the Texas Governor has neither endorsed the U.S. Census, nor convened a Texas Complete Count Committee to create a plan for counting every Texan despite requests by legislators, the Census Bureau, and advocacy organizations including MALDEF.

It is imperative that Texas have a statewide strategy for an accurate and complete count. Texas has the second highest hard-to-count areas in the country. The populations in these areas include children and residents who are low-income, lack a high school diploma, are limited English proficient, live in multi-family homes, receive public assistance, and/or are highly mobile. The 2000 Census left an estimated 373,567 people in Texas uncounted. As a result, Texas missed out on approximately $2,913 in federal funds per person – a total loss of over $1 billion over the last decade. This decade, due to population growth, Texas is expected to gain three or four congressional seats in the next apportionment. The difference of one Congressional seat for Texas affects our ability to represent our interests at a national level. In addition, with an accurate Census count, Texas will gain a greater share of the over $400 billion distributed annually to communities across the count ry for programs such as school construction, early childhood programs, services to the elderly, job training programs and roads. These are funds that Texas desperately needs to ensure its economic stability.

MALDEF refuses to stand on the sidelines while the Governor plays politics with the Census. Through collaboration with grassroots and grasstop leaders, and formation of the Texas Latino Complete Count Committee we can reach into the hardest to count communities to inform, motivate and mobilize Latinos.

Our partners in the Texas Latino Complete Count Committee include: LULAC, SVREP, WCVI, TACHE, MATT, AFL-CIO, HACU, IDRA, Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops, Texas Media Empowerment Project, Southwest Workers Union, the Rio Grande Guardian, TABE, and the University Leadership Initiative. MALDEF thanks its partners for stepping forward to take ownership of our collective future and encourages others to carry the message forward. Together we can have a successful 2010 Census and ensure that our voice is heard and that our people our counted.

MALDEF NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS
Los Angeles Regional Office
634 S. Spring Street
Los Angeles, CA 90014

Tel: 213.629.2512

Agreement with Teleperformance Adds 90 new Jobs in Rio Grande Valley

2010-02-02T12:52:00.000-08:00

EDINBURG, Texas, Feb. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Building on its long history in South Texas and investments in the state, CPL Retail Energy is expanding its Texas-based customer care operations by over 20 percent, bringing 90 new jobs to the Rio Grande Valley.

"The Valley is a great place for CPL to locate a portion of our customer care operations," said Jim Steffes, Vice President and General Manager of CPL Retail Energy. "Area residents are familiar with the CPL brand, how we operate as a business and what our company stands for."

The location also allows CPL to tap into a strong bilingual community from which to hire, "helping us to meet the needs of our Texas English- and Spanish-speaking customers," Steffes added.

CPL Retail Energy has contracted with Teleperformance to leverage a call center facility in Edinburg, TX – at the heart of CPL's footprint – to meet some of the company's specialized, bilingual, customer-care needs for Texas customers.

At a time when others are laying off employees, CPL is expanding their operations and that is to be commended said State Rep. Veronica Gonzales who attended the announcement. "By expanding their operations in the Valley and investing in upgrades to their processes to deliver a high-quality of customer service, CPL is proving their commitment to our region and to the state."
Though the facility and employees are Teleperformance's, CPL's selection of this customer care partner results in 90 new jobs in the region, said Felix Martinez, COO of Teleperformance Mexico. "The agents are now hired and trained, and they have been actively supporting CPL's customer care needs since the beginning of the new year, managing a portion of the company's English- and Spanish-language Texas residential customer calls," according to Rodriguez.

"South Texas, and the Rio Grande Valley in particular have much to offer companies who are making it a priority to invest in Texas," said State Rep. Aaron Pena, who attended Tuesday's announcement.

CPL currently owns and operates a call center outside of Dallas employing approximately 400 Texans, and contracts with a call center provider in Corpus Christi, supporting about 80 jobs in the Coastal Bend. The company also owns and operates three natural gas-fired power plants including the Frontera Energy Center just outside of Mission.

"We're invested in Texas," said Steffes, "and we are committed to our customers in Texas."

Media Contact: Lisa Dornan of CPL Retail Energy, +1-713-877-3925, Lisa.Dornan@directenergy.com; or Carol A. Scott, APR, Fellow PRSA of Kailo Communications Studio, +1-361-884-8890, cell +1-361-813-8888, for CPL Retail Energy

Museum to present program Sunday reflecting on district's first 100 years

2010-02-01T13:04:00.000-08:00

Education was a priority of any new town in the Texas frontier, and Edinburg was no exception. In 1908, Chapin, the new county seat for Hidalgo County, was founded. It would be renamed Edinburg three years later. Since building its first school in 1909 for early residents, the Edinburg Consolidated Independent School District (ECISD), organized in 1926, has grown to more than 50 schools and established the foundation of a junior college system that would become The University of Texas- Pan American.

The Museum of South Texas History and the Edinburg Consolidated Independent School District’s Centennial Committee present Reflections on Edinburg, The First One Hundred Years on Sunday, Jan. 31, from 2 to 4 p.m. Dr. Francisco Guajardo and Dr. Beverly Ashley-Fridie will speak on the history of the ECISD.

Dr. Guajardo and Dr. Ashley-Fridie will discuss the history of the school district and the Centennial Committee’s project to collect oral histories. A short video of two of those oral histories with Estella Trevino and Dr. Lucas Hinojosa will be presented. The Centennial Committee would also like to invite those with unique stories about their experiences in Edinburg schools to share their stories at the program. Dr. Beverly Ashley-Fridie has lived in the Rio Grande Valley for 20 years. She received her doctorate in education leadership from The University of Texas- Pan American, and is an adjunct faculty member at UTPA.

Dr. Francisco Guajardo is a Rio Grande Valley native and received his doctorate in educational administration from The University of Texas at Austin. He is currently an associate professor in the Educational Leadership at UTPA.

The Museum of South Texas History was founded in 1969 as the Hidalgo County Historical Museum. Originally housed in Hidalgo County’s 1910 Old Jail, a Texas Historical Landmark, the museum has since expanded to three main buildings, providing visitors a full understanding of regional history from prehistoric times through the twentieth century.

The Sunday Speaker Series program is included with regular museum admission. FRIENDs of the Museum are admitted free as a benefit of FRIENDship. For more information on the program or becoming a FRIEND of the Museum, call 956.383.6911 or visit www.mosthistory.org. The Museum of South Texas History is located at 200 N. Closner, on the Courthouse Square in Downtown Edinburg.

Story from Edinburg Review.

South Texas Health Systems Community Leader Award

2010-01-25T11:16:00.001-08:00

South Texas Health System Honors State Rep. Aaron Peña

2010-01-21T14:21:00.000-08:00

McAllen, Texas (January 20, 2010) -- South Texas Health System held a special presentation in honor of State Representative Aaron Peña, D-Edinburg Wednesday, January 20 at McAllen Heart Hospital to celebrate his contributions to improving healthcare in the Rio Grande Valley.

Top officials with South Texas Health System presented Peña with the “Community Leader Appreciation Award” and recognized him for his leadership role and support of legislative measures to protect and uphold quality health care delivery in the Rio Grande Valley. Hospital officials also previewed Representative Peña’s agenda and perspective for the 82nd legislative session.

Representative Aaron Peña was first elected to represent House District 40 and its communities of Edinburg, McAllen, the Delta Area and Northern and Western Hidalgo County in 2002. Since elected he has continued to fight for better access to health care, strong public schools, compassionate care for our veterans and he has worked towards creating good jobs and a strong economy for South Texas. Last session Representative Peña was a key author of legislation creating a medical school and health science center in the Rio Grande Valley. He also co-authored a bill providing disabled veterans a property tax exemption. Representative Peña has continued to fight for a veterans hospital for South Texas. In 2007 he secured $3,000,000.00 for a drug treatment center for Hidalgo County and another $750,000.00 for a park at the Edinburg Boys and Girls club.

As a lifelong resident of Edinburg, he has also been an active community volunteer and has supported numerous charities, civic organizations and schools.

Representative Peña holds numerous awards for his public service such as the Boys and Girls Clubs, Edinburg 2009 Legislative Partner Award, Malayalee Association of the Rio Grande Valley Community Service Excellence Award, Texas District and County Attorneys Association Law & Order Award, The Texas Humane Legislation Network The Texas Animal Humanitarian Award, The Century Council's State Legislative Award.

By Dalinda Guillen, South Texas Health System

Dr. Martin Luther King - "To Serve"

2010-01-18T14:45:00.000-08:00

Pena to Head Emergency Preparedness Committee

2010-01-13T12:27:00.000-08:00

Edinburg Review
By JOEY GOMEZ

Published: Tuesday, January 12, 2010 1:54 PM CST

Texas House Speaker Joe Straus, R-San Antonio, nominated Rep. Aaron Pena, D-Edinburg, on Tuesday to lead the state's newest committee for preparation and response to natural and man-made disasters.

Pena has been selected to chair the House Select Committee on Emergency Preparedness, which will gauge the state's preparedness level for major disasters, including those resulting from natural catastrophes and acts of terrorism.

The committee will review whether progress has been made based on previous studies regarding emergencies.
"The committee will take a comprehensive look at Texas' current level of emergency preparedness and where we can improve to help ensure we keep Texans safe," Straus said in a statement.

Peña said he intends to review all the protocols and procedures, as well as testimony from experts to make sure the state is prepared for the next natural or man-made disaster.

"As Texans, as we confront this new age post-911, and the hurricanes we have to deal with, I think it's an important challenge that has to be taken," Pena said Tuesday. "We have to be prepared, whether it's a hurricane or concerns about some of the human element on the border. It's my intention that we pay the focus that it needs and deserves."

Speaker Straus has appointed Pena to chair the committee and Rep. Mike Hamilton R-Mauriceville, to serve as vice chair.

The committee members include Representatives Frank Corte, Jr. (R-San Antonio), Harold Dutton (D-Houston), Joe Farias (D-San Antonio), Stephen Frost (D-Atlanta), Rick Hardcastle (R-Vernon), Tryon Lewis (R-Odessa), Mark Strama (D-Austin), Larry Taylor (R-Friendswood) and Allen Vaught (D-Dallas).

2010 Census Dates

2010-01-03T14:54:00.000-08:00

• March: Census forms are mailed nationwide.

• April 1: The effective date for responses. Forms are to be mailed back after this date. Online responses are not permitted.

• April to July: Census takers visit households that did not mail back information.

• December: U.S. Census Bureau officially reports state population figures that affect congressional apportionment.

• March 2011: States receive local data from Census Bureau that guides congressional redistricting.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau

Bill White Visits The Valley on Tuesday

2010-01-03T13:31:00.000-08:00

My good friend Bill White, candidate for Texas Governor, will be in various parts of the Valley on Tuesday visiting old friends and meeting new ones interested in his race for Governor of the State of Texas. This photo was taken on one of his many previous visits. Here are some of the events on his schedule and I invite all to come:

7:30 am-8:30 am
Breakfast With Bill White
Don Pepe's Mexican Restaurant
306 N. McColl Rd.
McAllen, Texas 78501

2:00 pm-3:00 pm
Meet and Greet in Edcouch
Mercado Delta
510 N. Yellow Jacket Drive
Edcouch, Texas 78538

7:30 pm-8:30 pm
Meet and Greet with the Cameron Co. Democratic Party
Veteran's of Foreign Wars, Post 2035
1801 Veteran's Drive
Brownsville, TX 78521

Count Every Texan So That Every Texan Counts

2010-01-02T18:33:00.000-08:00

Rep. Peña: Remembering 2009

2009-12-30T09:05:00.000-08:00

Countdown To 2010

2009-12-26T09:59:00.001-08:00

2009-12-14T21:11:00.000-08:00

Boys and Girls Club Banquet to Honor Outstanding Community Members

2009-12-09T07:53:00.000-08:00

The Boys and Girls Club of Edinburg RGV will be hosting an appreciation banquet tonight for supporters of the club. State Representative Aaron Peña will be one of those honored at tonight's reception. The Boys and Girls Club of Edinburg is in the midst of a capital campaign to raise funds for their new 32,000 square foot headquarters and park complex. Representative Peña was successful in securing $750,000.00 state dollars for the project.

The club will also recognize other outstanding members of the community that have shown their generosity and support throughout the year.
Details for the event are:

Boys and Girls Club of Edinburg RGV Banquet

Wednesday, December 9th, 2009
6:00 pm - 7:30 pm

Echo Hotel and Conference Center
1903 S. Closner, Edinburg

Merry Christmas Everyone

2009-12-07T18:49:00.000-08:00

2009-12-02T23:25:00.001-08:00

Peña: Another Successful Session Comes to a Close

2009-06-03T10:03:00.000-07:00

At the start of the 81st Legislative Session State Representative I declared that the establishment of a medical school in the Rio Grande Valley was my and the region's number one legislative priority. Now with session over and with that legislation headed to Governor Rick Perry for his signature, we can claim a huge victory for South Texas .

The Rio Grande Valley has been long underserved in access to healthcare and health care providers. The establishment of a medical school and health science center will not only serve to bridge that gap but it has the power to transform our economy. I applaud State Senator Eddie Lucio for his leadership, our legislative delegation and community and business leaders for all their efforts. While we can relish this achievement we have a lot of important work ahead to ensure that the facility is fully funded and world class.

I was a sponsor of SB 98 which authorizes the creation of the medical school in the Rio Grande Valley . The passage of the legislation will transform the Regional Academic Health Center (RAHC) into a 4 year, stand alone medical school. The RAHC currently has a medical education and research component in Harlingen and Edinburg . Funding for the facility will begin in 2015 to give the University of Texas System some time to move forward with the development and planning for the state's newest health science center. Aside from passage of the medical school bill, there were other important victories that overall made this session a success for South Texas.

While we had some great success there were also some big disappointments like the failure to expand CHIP to include more kids and capping rising tuition costs at colleges and universities. Every session begins with great potential and I think we accomplished a great deal for our veterans. We secured a small raise for teachers, law enforcement and other state employees. Our state budget includes more money for schools, universities and important infrastructure projects, while we secured tax breaks for thousands of small businesses and volunteer fire departments. I am proud of the work that we did to pass important local and statewide legislation.

Veterans services and care was prominent in my legislative agenda. I authored important legislation granting tax relief to disabled veterans and another memorializing the U.S. Congress to build a veterans hospital in South Texas . While in session Valley Veterans led another march to San Antonio to highlight the need for the construction of the hospital. With the passage of HCR 5 , with the aid of local veterans, we successfully secured the Texas Legislative Medal of Honor to Edinburg 's Pedro Cano.

Voters overwhelmingly approved a homestead property tax exemption for disabled veterans in a constitutional amendment election in 2007. The enacting legislation fell victim to a deadline at the end of 80th Legislative Session. As this session came to an end there were fears that the clock would run out again on the legislation. We found a vehicle in HB 3613.

Providing meaningful tax relief for disabled veterans is not only honorable but the right thing to do. On numerous occasions a contingent of veterans from the Rio Grande Valley testified, lobbied and tirelessly championed legislation for their brethren. Much of our success this session is owed to them.

In 2007, we were successful in securing the Texas Legislative Medal Honor for Edinburg 's Freddy Gonzalez. HCR 5 will posthumously confer Texas ' highest military honor to another Edinburg hero, Pedro Cano. The legislation awaits the signature of the Governor. Cano was presented the Distinguished Service Cross on April 26, 1946 in the town square as the city of Edinburg proclaimed it Pedro Cano Day. Businesses closed, schools were dismissed, a parade was held and more than 4,000 people witnessed the decoration of our country's second highest military honor to the 25 year old Army Private. 63 years later our state now honors his life and service to our country. A ceremony with the Governor presenting the medal to the Cano family is expected to be held later in the year.

I also passed other important legislation with significant local and statewide implications. SB 689, known as the social networking bill, will compile online identifiers, email addresses and cell phone numbers of registered sex offenders. The new law will also prohibit certain dangerous sex offenders on probation or parole from accessing social networking sites like MySpace, Facebook and Twitter. As technology continues to evolve, state law must keep up and empower law enforcement with new tools to track, catch and prevent sexual predators from preying upon our children.

SB 254 will provide a tax exemption for gasoline and diesel fuel sold to a volunteer fire department. It would allow an eligible volunteer fire department, that had paid the motor fuel tax on the purchase of gasoline or diesel fuel, to file a claim with the Comptroller's Office for a refund of the tax. Volunteer fire department already operating on tight budgets will be able to receive a refund of 20 cents for every gallon of fuel purchased. I filed the bill at the urging of the Edinburg Volunteer Fire Department.

Every legislative session lawmakers are required to pass one bill, the state's biennial budget. Highlights of state's $182.3 billion budget included an increases of $1.9 billion for public education, $1.2 billion increase for higher education, $2 billion in bonds for new roads, $450 million in bonds for cancer research and a $208 million increase to help people with mental disabilities live in community settings rather than in institutions.

At a time when our economy is contracting and the state is facing revenue shortages we must be faithful stewards of the taxpayers' money. A state as big as Texas has many divergent interests and priorities for funding. Overall I believe we did a good job in addressing some of our most pressing needs.

The budget also included a 7 to 8 percent pay raise for correctional workers and law enforcement officers and a one-time $800 payment for other state employees. Texas public school teachers will also receive an $800 pay raise.

Our state budget included almost $2 billion for financially strapped school districts across the state. While it was not a permanent fix to some of our funding and equity issues we face, it is a step in the right direction.

Not all legislation included spending. An estimated 40,000 small businesses in Texas will receive a tax break as the legislature raised the franchise tax exemption from $300,000 to $1 million. The tax break was designed to provide tax relief to many small businesses across the state that faced stiff increases as a result of the reorganized business tax passed in the 80th Legislative Session. On the Floor of the House and in the House Committee on Ways and Means, as a member of the committee, I supported the bill.

Accountability in our public schools was a prominent issue this session. We decreased the reliance on high stakes testing in elementary schools. Responding to concerns from parents, teachers and administrators third graders will no longer have to pass the TAKS in order to advance to the 4th grade. The testing requirement will still be in place at the 5th and 7th grade. Legislation passed that also scrapped minimum grade policies which required teachers give students a minimum grade of 50, 60, or 70 in assignments or tests regardless of the student's performance.

Regarding higher education, the legislature invested in a program designed to bring up more of our state's universities to Tier-1 status. Currently Texas A&M University , the University of Texas at Austin and the private Rice University are recognized as such. California boasts nine and New York seven national elite universities. A $50million incentive fund was established for universities to compete for matching funds for research and development.

With the close of another legislative session much more legislation failed than succeeded. We will now have the opportunity to return to our districts and reengage with our community.

Many pundits agree that more potential damage is averted by bad bills that fail to pass. This session saw its share of highly contentious and partisan legislation that took up headlines and time. With 181 legislators in the House and Senate it takes a great deal of compromise to get work done. We will have some time to take a step back and reflect on our successes and failures. I look forward to heading back home and continuing the work that lies ahead to make our community and our state the best it can be.

Outstanding Migrant Students to Be Recognized at UT-Austin

2009-04-02T15:35:00.001-07:00

AUSTIN, Texas — High school migrant students from across the state will be recognized at a special ceremony at 1 p.m., Monday, April 6, during the 22nd annual Migrant Student Recognition Ceremony at The University of Texas at Austin.

The ceremony in the ballroom of the Texas Union will honor students who have completed distance learning courses through the university's Migrant Student Graduation Enhancement Program in the Division of Continuing and Innovative Education. The program provides learning tools, services, courses, computer equipment and software applications that enable migrant students to meet or exceed requirements for high school graduation.

Texas has the second-largest migrant education program and the largest interstate migrant student population in the nation. Students and their families migrate annually from Texas to 48 other states to work in agricultural and other seasonal jobs.

"These students fill me with so much pride," said Dr. Judy C. Ashcroft, dean of Continuing and Innovative Education. "I am so proud of their determination, their immense talent and their amazing ability to adapt to new schools, new curriculum and new methods of distance learning to earn their high school diplomas. I applaud each and every one of them."

Forty exemplary migrant students featured in the 2009 Exemplary Migrant Student publication will be recognized at the ceremony. Two of the featured students will be named as "Students of the Year" and will each receive a $2,000 college scholarship from the Exxon Mobil Foundation. Three additional exemplary migrant students will each receive a $2,000 college scholarship. The checks will be presented by Texas Representative Aaron Peña.

About 125 migrant students and 50 parents and educators from 17 school districts, including Brownsville, Corpus Christi, Donna, Eagle Pass, Edinburg, El Paso, Flatonia, Goose Creek, La Feria, La Joya, Levelland, Lometa, Pharr-San Juan-Alamo, Sharyland, Taylor, United and Weslaco, will attend the ceremony. About 75 guests from The University of Texas at Austin, the Texas Education Agency and the Texas Legislature also will attend the event, which will feature a performance by the Austin High School Ballet Folklórico.

Since it was begun more than two decades ago, the Migrant Student Graduation Enhancement Program has enrolled more than 22,000 students in its mission to increase the graduation rate of high school migrant students in Texas. With funding from the Texas Education Agency and gifts from the Beaumont Foundation of America, Exxon Mobil Foundation, the John G. and Marie Stella Kenedy Memorial Foundation and the Microsoft Corporation, the program helps Texas migrant students earn high school credits through distance learning courses that meet Texas curriculum requirements.

For more information, contact: Robert D. Meckel, Office of Public Affairs, 512-475-7847; Kevin Wier, Division of Continuing Education, 512-471-2731, or Peggy Wimberley, Migrant Student Graduation Enhancement Program, 512-471-6037.

(photo from 2006 event)

Former Mayor Pro Tem Fred Longoria

2009-03-24T08:39:00.000-07:00

By DAVID A. DÍAZ

Former Edinburg Mayor Pro Tem Alfredo "Fred" Longoria, a native son, successful businessman, and longtime community leader who helped transform what many considered to be a sleepy border town in the early 1990s into a major economic force for South Texas in 2009, on Sunday, March 22, passed away as a result of complications from a stroke.

He was 80.

Longoria, who also served as the president of the board of directors for Amigos del Valle, suffered the stroke on Wednesday, March 18, according to a daughter, Priscilla Longoria-Olivarez, before passing away on Sunday evening at McAllen Heart Hospital.

Longoria served on the Edinburg City Council from May 5, 1992 to May 7, 2002, according to the Edinburg City Secretary’s Office.

He first entered the political arena in his successful race for the Edinburg City Council – then known as the Edinburg City Commission – with his campaign pledge to work on solutions to the decades-old problem of flooding in the downtown region when heavy rains inundated the area.

As a result of his inaugural campaign – and through the efforts of the city councils since then – more effective drainage infrastructure was eventually installed in that region of the city, reducing the time it takes to reduce major flooding from days to hours.

But he also was part of a series of city councils which forever changed the image and economic vitality of Edinburg.

He served on city councils which created the Edinburg Cable Network and the World Birding Center, upgraded the Edinburg International Airport (now the South Texas International Airport at Edinburg), built the Edinburg Professional Baseball Stadium, secured tens of millions of dollars in state funding for local and state roadway system improvements for the city, and helped champion for the creation of the University of Texas Regional Academic Health Center in Edinburg.

During his tenure, the economic growth of the city improved significantly, including attracting thousands of new jobs and several billion dollars in new construction to the community.

As determined as Longoria was to champion improvements for Edinburg, he was always quick to share the credit for successes with his fellow councilmembers and with the community in general, said former City Councilmember René A. Ramírez, who serves as chief of staff for Sen. Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa, D-McAllen.

"I knew him long before he served on the council," recalled Ramírez. "He was a very successful businessman for many years, and during his distinguished service on the council, he was very tenacious. I remember his strong drive for spurring economic development. He will be missed."

For his part, Hinojosa said Longoria and the Edinburg City Council were years ahead of most Texas communities when it came to lobbying the Texas Legislature and state government for policies and funding to benefit their constituents.

"It was almost unheard of, having a small community like Edinburg in the early 1990s, develop a legislative agenda and then come to Austin to help its legislative delegation secure hundreds of millions of dollars in state money for their constituents," said Hinojosa. "Now, the leadership of Texas government knows exactly where Edinburg is located, and how determined they are to be major players in the legislative process."

For Rep. Aaron Peña, D-Edinburg, Longoria’s passing literally hit home.

His son, Aron Leonel Peña, is married to one of Longoria’s daughters, Clarissa Longoria-Peña.

"I am very sad to hear that Fred Longoria has passed away. My condolences to his family and friends," the veteran state representative reflected. "Fred was not only a long time supporter but a good man who wanted to do right by his City of Edinburg. Sometime after our initial work together, Fred became a member of the family when my eldest son married his daughter," Peña said. "The City of Edinburg has lost a loyal son who will be dearly missed. May God speed."

Peña said Longoria’s service on behalf of Amigos del Valle, Inc. "was a prime example" of his commitment to improving the lives of thousands of people.

According to its web site:

Amigos Del Valle, Inc. is recognized as the largest and most enduring Non-profit resource senior service, multi-family and single-family housing service and home meal delivery service providers of the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas.

José E. Garza, executive director for Amigos del Valley, said he and his organization had lost a great friend and ally, who first came on board on May 16, 1995, representing the city, and continued as an at-large board member until last October 2008.

"When he served as one of our board members, including several terms as president of the board, he had a major contribution to the successes of this organization," Garza said. "His heart was always in the right place."

OBITUARY

According to Memorial Funeral Home of Edinburg:

Alfredo “Fred” Longoria, 80, died Sunday, March 22, 2009, at McAllen Heart Hospital.

Longoria was born in Edinburg and had lived there all of his life. He served on the Edinburg City Council for ten years as city commissioner, mayor pro-tem and a member of the Edinburg Planning and Zoning Department. Longoria was also a board member of Amigos Del Valle and Edinburg Chamber of Commerce. He was an entrepreneur and owner of Fred’s Food Store, Clean Rite Janitorial Supplies, and Sweet Scent. He also served in the National Guard and was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Edinburg.

He is preceded in death by his parents; a son, Michael Longoria; a brother, Rubén Longoria; a sister, Viola Silva; and a granddaughter, Miranda Hunter.

Longoria is survived by his wife, Sylvia Longoria of Edinburg; seven children, Clarissa (Aron III) Longoria-Peña, Priscilla (Rick) Olivarez, Michelle (Manuel) Guerrero, all of Edinburg, Derek (Sandy) Ruiz of San Antonio, Gina Longoria of Dallas, Lolly (Jesús) Peña of Edinburg, Fred (Allison) Longoria, Jr. of McAllen; 14 grandchildren; two brothers, Miguel (Angie) Longoria of Edinburg and Charlie (Kay) Longoria of California; a sister, Olga (Henri) Deroaul of California; and a sister-in-law, Leonor Longoria of Edinburg.

Visitation was scheduled to take place from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., with a 7 p.m. rosary on Tuesday, March 24, 2009, at Memorial Funeral Home, 208 E. Canton, in Edinburg. Funeral service were scheduled for 2 p.m. on Wednesday, March 25, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Edinburg.

Interment was scheduled at Valley Memorial Gardens in McAllen.

Military honors were scheduled to be conducted by VFW Post 8788 of McAllen. Pallbearers are Rick Olivarez, Manuel Guerrero, Aron Peña III, Jesús Peña, Ricky Longoria and Leonel Silva.

In lieu of flowers the family requested that memorial contributions be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church Building Fund, 122 W. Fay, Edinburg, Texas, 78539.

Funeral services were under the direction of Memorial Funeral Home in Edinburg.

••••••

Finishing the Veterans' March to San Antonio

2009-03-19T15:42:00.001-07:00

The Texas House stands adjourned until 2:00 p.m., Monday, March 23rd, 2009 so I am off to join those hardcore veterans from the Valley on their 250 mile march to San Antonio.

The good news from the capitol is that I believe we are making good progress in moving the medical school legislation that may serve to compliment the Veterans' Hospital in the Valley. Today I joined other key members in the House to refine our strategy to get the bill moving. I am expecting our legislation to be moving out of committee soon.

As to our loyal group of dedicated veteran marchers, they are at last word on the edges of San Antonio hoping to have their final trek to the VA Hospital in San Antonio sometime tomorrow.

I will be marching with our comrades in action tomorrow as they reach this final part of this journey. Hopefully our ultimate goal will not be as treacherous.

Here are photos from today.

Texas Independence Day

2009-03-02T00:02:00.000-08:00

Today is Texas Flag Day or Texas Independence Day. For many this day celebrates the adoption of the Texas Declaration of Independence on March 2, 1836. The Texas Declaration of Independence was created by the Convention of 1836, which took place at Washington-on-the-Brazos.

Here are instructions on how to raise and fold a Texas flag:

Step One
According to the flag code, the Texas flag “shall be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously.”

Step Two
Raise the flag with the blue field against the flagpole and the white stripe at the top, except in the case of a life and death emergency. If you are in mortal danger, hang the flag upside down.

Step Three
The flag should always be allowed to wave free. It should be displayed with appropriate lighting if out after dark, and should not be flown in inclement weather.

Step Four
Fly only the United States flag above the Texas flag on a single flagpole. It is recommended that the Texas flag have its own flagpole of equal height to the United States flag.

Step Five
Stand with your right hand over your heart and your hat removed while the Texas flag is being raised.

Step Six
Recite the Texas Pledge of Allegiance once the flag has reached the top of the flagpole: "Honor the Texas flag; I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, one state under God, one and indivisible."

Step Seven
If you have also raised the United States flag, recite the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States flag first, then recite the Texas Pledge of Allegiance. If you are not a citizen of Texas, please remain standing, while the pledge is recited.

Step Eight
When taking down the flag, do it slowly and with reverence. When it reaches the bottom of the flagpole, don’t let it touch the ground. Then it should be folded.

Folding of the Texas flag is not set forth by law. The folding description follows that used by the Sergeant at Arms in Austin when folding the flags that fly over the capitol building.

Former Colombian drug cartel prosecutor is inspiration for Valley lawmaker's bill

2009-03-01T08:55:00.000-08:00

Former Colombian drug cartel prosecutor is inspiration for Valley lawmaker's bill

By Steve Taylor

AUSTIN, February 28 - State Rep. Aaron Peña says a chance meeting with a former Colombian drug cartel prosecutor now living in Houston has provided the inspiration for his most important piece of legislation this session.

The Edinburg Democrat introduced the Texas Racketeering and Corruption Act (TexRAC), otherwise known as HB 1618, at a news conference at the Capitol last Monday. It gives the attorney general's office the power to seize assets and profits from individuals and organizations involved in serious criminal activity.

While on a legislative trip to Houston a few weeks ago, Peña met Colombia’s Consul General in Houston, Maria Cristina Chirolla. Previously, Chirolla worked as chief of anti-drug and anti-crime operations in Colombia and was part of the team that helped bring down Pablo Escobar, Colombia’s biggest ever cocaine drug lord. Her pioneering work has been recognized in a PBS documentary titled, An Honest Citizen.

“Maria Cristina Chirolla is an inspiration, a real heroine. She was so committed to fighting the drug cartels in Colombia that she had to have multiple body guards around here. She carries protection with her to this day,” Peña said.

Peña lost his eldest son to drugs. The tragedy spurred him to run for elected office and to carry legislation to help fight drug abuse. He was elected a state representative in 2003 and achieved his top legislative goal with the passage of a bill to build a drug treatment center to the Rio Grande Valley.

As chair of the Criminal Jurisprudence Committee in 2005 and 2007 Peña tackled human trafficking and produced an interim report on how to combat the sex slave trade. The report provided the groundwork for HB 1618. “Of all the bills I will carry this session, this is the biggest. We are looking at a whole other way of tackling the issue.” Peña said.

Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott and state Sens. Tommy Williams, R-The Woodlands, and Leticia Van de Putte, D-San Antonio, are collaborating Peña with his bill.

“In South Texas alone we have witnessed first hand drug, firearms, and human trafficking. This legislation will give the Attorney General a new tool to punish those that engage in the most serious organized crime by hitting them where it hurts, their assets,” Peña said.

Peña said that although HB 1618 was well on the way to being crafted when he met Chirolla, the chance meeting has given him fresh impetus to make sure the legislation becomes law.

The two met at a dinner hosted by the Houston Partnership. After learning who she was and the courageous stand she has taken in her life, Peña asked Chirolla if they could sit and discuss the war on drugs.

“We found a quiet corner and spent hours talking about her experience in Colombia in dealing with the drug cartels and how we could apply her knowledge to Mexico's growing drug violence,” Peña said.

“It was a fascinating discussion that stretched from specifics in dealing with the growing cartels to transcendental religious issues. We exchanged phone numbers and promised to continue the discussion. It was a very productive evening.”

Peña expanded on Chirolla’s analysis of dealing with the drug cartels.

“She told me we have to begin to change our mindset. She said we must not look at the drugs issue as a criminal activity, but as a public health and public safety issue. We have to go about undermining the cartels in the right way. We can lop off the head of a cartel but another one pops up,” he said.

“We cannot say it is not my problem, it is somebody else’s. We have to have a holistic approach because it affects the whole community. It not only affects the users and those directly affected but the whole of society. It begins to undermine our values and then eventually the country falls apart.”

Peña said he came away from his discussions with Chirolla more enlightened and determined.

“You never give up and you see it in a holistic way. You take away the assets. It seems a coincidence that she and I were on the same track but I believe we were meant to meet up. I believe we were called to be there at the same time. Nothing is a coincidence,” Peña said.

“This is a public health and public safety problem developing in the U.S. that reminds her (Chirolla) of Colombia in its early stages of dealing with the drug cartels. We had better confront it now before it becomes catastrophic.”

Living on the border, Peña said he sees signs of a looming catastrophe. He pointed to reports showing that gangs and other criminal organizations on the U.S. side of the border are linked to the Mexican cartels that traffic drugs, weapons and human beings.

“Home invasions, corruption in our sheriff’s departments… there is no doubt that the cartels’ money, the corruption, is beginning to infiltrate into our community. We have had individual assassinations. I believe that if we do not address it now it will get larger and larger.”

Peña said his new bill will allow the attorney general to bring suit against any person, enterprise or organization for racketeering. A suit brought under the charge of racketeering could include offenses of homicide, kidnapping, human, firearms and drug trafficking, money laundering, robbery, theft, fraud and other serious crimes.

“This landmark legislation would give the state an opportunity to dismantle violent gangs and organized criminal activity similar to the powerful, mafia-busting federal RICO Act,” Peña said. “We can inflict some heavy damage to these gangs and cartels by not only jailing these individuals but by bankrupting their criminal enterprises.”

Landmark may be a good description of the bill because if utilized to the full it could create a huge dent in the economy of some border communities.

Peña pointed out that most of the arms used by the Mexican cartels come from the U.S. He said his bill can help address that. “The attorney general can go after this product. If organized crime or the gangs on this side of the border have the assets, the attorney general can sue them, convert the items into money and use it to continue the fight against corruption. The weapons can either be resold for legitimate purposes or dismantled.”

Abbott said he appreciates the tools he will be given under TexRAC.

“TexRAC adds a valuable new weapon to the state’s battle against an increasingly dangerous organized crime industry,” Abbott said. “By giving the Office of the Attorney General expanded authority to seize crime syndicates' property and illegal proceeds, TexRAC will help the State cut off the lucrative profits that fuel these illegal enterprises.”

As well as steering his TexRAC legislation through the House, Peña said he will likely have another related piece of work to accomplish this session. “I will probably recognize Maria Cristina Chirolla with a House Resolution. She is a heroine and an inspiration.”

Jib Jab: 2008 Year in Review

2008-12-24T21:42:00.001-08:00

Rep. Harper-Brown Wins Recount By 20 Votes

2008-11-10T20:13:00.001-08:00

Incumbent Linda Harper-Brown (R) appears to have won the recount in the closely watched race for Texas House District 105 involving challenger Bob Romano (D). The vote victory appears to be by a mere 20 votes. With all the ballots counted late Monday night, Harper-Brown's final total was 19,856 to Romano's 19,836.

Although I would expect an election contest to follow, if matters remain the same, it appears to indicate that the Republicans will maintain control of the Texas House by one vote.

The accusations have been flying back and forth on this one so I expect this not to be the end of it. Look for this to initiate additional movement from the members.

UPDATE: The AP confirms.

Herding Legislators

2008-11-09T20:07:00.001-08:00

I am home in my beloved Texas and all is well. All is well except for the stirrings at the Texas Capitol. To date, nothing has been resolved in this momentous struggle for the gavel that leads the Texas House. In my absence each side of the battle has mustered their faithful to do battle. Unfortunately, mustering legislators is much akin to herding cats.

Each side repeats the same refrain, "we have the votes" to win this battle. Now there is one of two things going on here. One, one side is clearly not telling the truth or two, both sides are counting the same "faithful", thus leading to an inaccurate count. We certainly heard the "we ain't lost a one of them" in the last go round.

Many are still waiting for tomorrow's recount in the Linda Harper Brown race up in the Dallas area to see if a Democrat might still have a chance. Expect the spin to be hot and heavy as we continue the struggle to determine the balance of power in the Texas House.

As the cowboy so correctly put it, "I wouldn't do nothing else."

Images From The Democratic National Convention

2008-08-30T14:16:00.000-07:00

Securing the Green For Our Kids

2008-06-28T13:39:00.000-07:00

The new Boy's & Girl's Club is the largest in the State of Texas. With a substantial check presented by State Rep. Aaron Pena at today's groundbreaking it may also be the greenest. The new 32,700 square foot complex called El Portal del Norte, will as a result of recent funding be surrounded by park and green space. The $750,000 was awarded to the Club from a legislative rider Pena inserted into the state budget during the 80th Legislative Session.

The Valley's Juneteenth

2008-06-14T20:32:00.000-07:00

Celebration marks Juneteenth

June 14, 2008 - 6:32PM
Sean Gaffney

EDINBURG -- Faded white crosses mark weathered gravestones in what is believed to be the Rio Grande Valley's only black cemetery.

A white wooden fence surrounds the scattered burial plots here at this rather unknown, dusty place of repose, which for many years was neglected and covered with thick brush.

Today, this mostly forgotten final resting place is finally receiving the attention and veneration deserving of such hallowed ground.

The Hidalgo County Historical Commission on Saturday unveiled an official Texas historical marker at Restlawn Cemetery during the annual Juneteenth celebration marking the end of slavery in Texas.

"Today is a historical moment because people came together and worked very hard to get this historical marker," said Beverly Ashley-Fridie, a professor at the University of Texas-Pan American.

More than 50 people gathered at the relatively hidden site on Jasman Road in a far corner of Hillcrest Cemetery - just north of Schunior Road off the northbound U.S. 281 frontage road - to celebrate the recognition of Restlawn and to reflect on the end of slavery in the Lone Star State and the decades of segregation that followed.

"It's beautiful to see a mix of people here," Monroe Saulter, the president of the local chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, said of the racially mixed crowd.

The annual ceremony at the cemetery marks Juneteenth, or June 19, 1865 - the date the Union Army reached Galveston Island and began to enforce the Emancipation Proclamation. President Lincoln had signed the decree outlawing slavery three years earlier.

"In Texas, we're big, (and) we're always a little late," Ashley-Fridie said.

Slavery was prevalent throughout the United States from the establishment of the first colonies until the passage of the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution in 1865. The 1860 U.S. census estimated that of the total population of more than 31 million in the country, nearly 4 million were slaves.

In Texas, there were an estimated 182,566, according to the census data. In Hidalgo County there was one slave.

"The Bible tells us that Moses never got to see the holy land," said state Rep. Aaron Peña, D-Edinburg, quoting Scripture at the ceremony.

"Although these people may have not seen the promise of this country, their children are," he said of the black men and women interred at this cemetery, many of whom died before segregation was outlawed.

After the new historical marker was unveiled, the crowd joined hands and sang a bar of a protest anthem popularized during the civil rights movement of the 1960s.

"We shall overcome," they sang. "We shall overcome someday."

____

Sean Gaffney covers law enforcement and general assignments for The Monitor. He can be reached at (956) 683-4434.

The Monitor Covers the Peña vs Saenz Debate

2008-03-03T12:38:00.000-08:00

I attended the last debate before tomorrow's election at about 11 o'clock this morning. Unfortunately, it wasn't much of a debate. As The Monitor reported, Saenz was a "no-show". Some of today's delay were calls the moderator made to Eddie Saenz and Senator Hinojosa's office asking the candidate to show up. I waited for about an hour and then went ahead and finished my presentation before members of the news media.

The photo, taken by Sara Perkins, shows me interviewing the empty chair where my opponent would have been sitting if he had showed up.

Tomorrow's a pretty big day. I hope most of you show up at the polls.

Dist. 40: More Push Polling By The Saenz Campaign

2008-02-15T19:43:00.000-08:00

We all read about the unethical push poll the Eddie Saenz campaign ran against me in October. To their credit, the Monitor newspaper denounced the tactic as unacceptable. No apologies were made despite the underhanded nature of the poll.

We are getting another series of reports that they're at it again. Apparently unsatisfied with their previous underhanded poll conducted by a Las Vegas firm and his current standing with the voters, this time the push poll seems to be conducted out of the local offices of the Eddie Saenz campaign.

From the beginning of this campaign we have asked that our opponent run a clean campaign. Our repeated requests have gone unanswered. We would call on the pillars of this community to once again denounce the unethical tactics used by Eddie Saenz. On March 4, I would ask the citizens of District 40 to once again show our overwhelming disdain for the mud-slinging and again reject Mr. Saenz at the polls.

District 40: Saenz Lies About Another Endorsement

2008-02-10T14:07:00.000-08:00

Eddie Saenz has been caught once again trying to deceive the public. In an advertisement which ran in the Monitor on Sunday, February 10th, Eddie Saenz falsely claimed the endorsement of Edcouch City Council member Maria de la Cruz. After seeing the advertisement Mrs. de la Cruz expressed concern to me that she had not authorized her name to be used in an endorsement. Today she delivered to me a letter issued to our local newspaper expressing her belief that Eddie Saenz had deceived her and the newspaper.

This marks the third time that it has been proven that the Eddie Saenz campaign has lied to the public. Last month, Saenz falsely claimed that he had received the endorsement of the Sullivan City Mayor. The news magazine was forced to correct their initial story after it was determined that Saenz was falsely claiming an endorsement.

Last November in a story in the Edinburg Review Eddie Saenz lied about my vote on a legislative pension increase. I voted against it and he falsley claimed in the newspaper that I voted for it. The newspaper printed a retraction.

Today Edcouch City Council member Maria de la Cruz is the third dirty trick played on the press by my opponent. With 24 days left in this campaign it is not likely to be the last.

The Rio Grande Guardian Covers Clinton Visit To The Valley

2008-02-10T06:26:00.001-08:00

MISSION, February 9 - Hillary Clinton looks set to hold a rally at the University of Texas-Pan American on Wednesday evening as she seeks to solidify her strong ties to the Rio Grande Valley by attracting more students and young people.

Details were being finalized by Hidalgo County and Starr County elected officials and key Democratic Party insiders at a meeting in Mission on Saturday afternoon. The group also agreed to open up a Valley campaign headquarters for Clinton in Pharr. The building is situated at 1210 Expressway 83 West in Pharr. It will open for business on Monday.

“We are very excited about Hillary Clinton’s visit to the Valley. She has strong ties to the region, going back many years and we expect a great turnout for the rally,” said state Rep. Aaron Peña, D-Edinburg, the Clinton campaign’s outreach director in the Valley.

Peña said no other events have been confirmed at this stage because the Valley’s Democratic leadership wants to give the advance planning team, led by Garry Mauro, Clinton’s Texas campaign manager, as much flexibility as possible. The advance team is wrapping up its work in other competitive states, Peña said.

In addition to Peña, other elected officials at the Mission meeting included state Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, D-McAllen, and state Reps. Kino Flores, D-Palmview, Veronica Gonzales, D-McAllen, Armando “Mando” Martinez, D-Weslaco, and Ryan Guillen, D-Rio Grande City.

Among the Democratic Party insiders present at the meeting were McAllen banker and developer Alonzo Cantu, IBC banker David Guerra, Hidalgo County Democratic Party Chair Juan Maldonado, Texas Democratic Party Treasurer Victor Garza, La Joya Mayor Billy Leo, former Hidalgo County Judge Ramon Garcia, and Sandra Rodriguez, a Texas House District 36 candidate.

Peña said one of the key points addressed at the meeting was the need to make sure Democratic activists at the precinct level were mobilized for Clinton.

“Even though polls show that many South Texans support Hillary, the real battle often starts at the precinct conventions the moment the polls close,” Peña said. “Whoever is best organized between the two candidates has the best chance of success in securing delegates at the county convention, then the state convention, and then the national convention. It’s all about the number of delegates.”

Some analysts believe that U.S. Sen. Barak Obama, D-Illinois, Clinton's rival for the Democratic nomination, is better organized at the precinct level.

“Definitely, one of the key points made at today’s meeting was that we have to educate people on the delegate selection process, which begins with the precinct conventions. These rules are not well known, except by a handful of party insiders,” Peña said.

Ester Salinas, a Democratic Party activist from Mission, is hoping that Clinton will make a campaign swing through the contaminated Mission Superfund site because as a U.S. senator she has championed efforts to make big polluters pay for toxic clean-ups. “We want to tell our story because we believe Hillary will understand. We think she will help,” Salinas said.

Writen by Steve Taylor of the online political magazine the Rio Grande Guardian.

House Committee Takes On Drunk Driving In The Valley

2008-02-01T13:24:00.000-08:00

The Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence for the Texas House of Representatives tackled the problem of drunk driving at a hearing held at the University of Texas Pan American in the City of Edinburg. Public testimony came from law enforcement, criminal defense attorneys, prosecutors, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, Chiefs of Police, and a variety of citizens.

DWIs and the growing trend towards the total refusal to provide a breathalyser or other evidentiary sample was one of the more prevalent issues discussed.

Also, considered was the growing problem of Human Trafficking, sometimes referred to as modern day slavery. As the Chairman of the Committee, I chose deep South Texas so that my community could have a say in addressing the problems we have been charged to investigate.

The Monitor has a story on the Committee's visit to Edinburg.

Texas Dental Association Endorsement

2008-01-30T13:42:00.001-08:00

The Texas Dental Association has endorsed our re-election effort. The dentists and related health professionals have a good working relationship with our office. The TDA is the third largest dental association in the United States with more than 7,700 members.

This has been a very busy day for endorsements. As they say, when it rains it pours. We expect a few more before the day ends. Until then...

The Texas State Teachers Association Endorsement

2008-01-30T13:10:00.000-08:00

The Texas State Teachers Association has announced their endorsement for my re-election. TSTA unites, organizes, and empowers public education advocates who are instrumental for legislators in shaping public education policy. TSTA has been advocating for teachers for 125 years, and is an affiliate of the National Education Association. I am certainly grateful for their vote of confidence.

Texas Realtors Endorse Rep. Peña

2008-01-29T07:09:00.000-08:00

Edinburg – The Texas Association of Realtors have issued an endorsement today of State Representative Aaron Peña. Local members of the 90,000 strong state-wide organization met with Representative Peña at the ECHO Hotel in Edinburg to talk about issues important to homeowners and their industry and offer their support for his re-election.

“Realtors are an important part of our community,” said Representative Peña. “Protecting private property rights, working to keep our property taxes low and helping foster a good environment for small business are issues that are important to all hard working Texans. I am most proud that we have been successful in creating some real opportunities for growth in our economy while working to make our community smarter, stronger and healthier.”

Representative Peña met with local realtors and participated in a formal interview process. The local board then forwarded a recommendation to the Texas Association of Realtors for grassroot support for his re-election to the Texas House. In mid-January, 2008, the political communications subcommittee reviewed and considered these recommendations from each local association. Representative Peña was selected because of his strong record of support for the real estate industry and small business.

Representative Peña is seeking a 4th term in the Texas House of Representatives. He is chairman of the House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence and sits on the powerful Committee on Ways and Means. Early vote for the Democratic Primary begins on February 19th and ends February 29th. Election Day is March 4th.

Honoring Freddy

2008-01-25T08:23:00.000-08:00

Say It Loud Paul

2008-01-25T07:05:00.000-08:00

I first met Paul Burka when I was a member of the Young Democrats at the University of Texas at Austin when he came over to the Student Union to discuss the goings-on at the Texas Capitol. The political bug has never left me from those years I spent at the University and I have enjoyed following the observations of Mr. Burka ever since.

Fast forward to the present, Paul has been following the contested legislative races across the state of Texas. He has even taken to the field and recently visited the Valley. His postings have caught my eye and I must say that I believe that he is right-on in the contested District 40 race.

"Aaron Pena (D) -- Craddick D faces a challenge by Eddie Saenz, a civil engineer and chairman of two hospital boards. Update 1/16: Saenz was supposed to be a tough opponent for Pena, but he was cited for DUI before the filing deadline and was a no-show at a major Democratic forum, sending his wife to represent him. Update 1/17: D analysts say the only way to beat Pena is from the left, and Saenz, a chamber of commerce type, is not the sort to be comfortable with campaigning from that direction. Update 1/22. I just got back from a trip to the Valley, and I couldn't find anybody who thinks Pena has any problems."

Paul's most recent post following his visit to South Texas strongly suggests a theme of change for the Valley. I can't agree more, changes have occurred in the Valley. But with that change must come changes in the politics still practiced by some. This District 40 race most clearly delineate that choice. I believe in a stronger future where the Valley takes it's rightful place as an economic and political full partner in leading this state in a positive direction for our families. We achieve that in South Texas by rejecting the tired failed and at times corrupt machine practices of the past and instead rise to the expectations of the good people we now represent.

Say it loud Paul, most people in the Valley want what most Americans want, honest government and a future that offers a better place for their kids than the present. If I'm right, then we should not expect any problems come election day.

HD 40: Texas Hospital Association Endorses Rep. Peña

2008-01-21T06:00:00.001-08:00

I am pleased to report yet another significant endorsement with statewide implications. The political advocacy arm of the Texas Hospital Association has informed me that they are on this day issuing an endorsement of my re-election.

The Texas Hospital Association (THA) is one of the largest, most respected health care associations in the country. More than 85 percent of Texas hospitals and health systems are THA members. Members of the organization employ more than 300,000 health care professionals. THA serves as the political and educational advocate for more than 430 hospitals and health systems across the state. The organization has been representing the interests of Texas hospitals and health systems for more than 75 years.

On Friday we announced the endorsement of former Texas Democratic Party Chairman Charles Soechting. That certainly was a huge endorsement. Today's endorsement however has a particularly valuable purpose at this point in time.

Today's endorsement is the second major health care endorsement we received in recent days. The political advocacy arm of the Texas Medical Association endorsed us in December.

With the unfortunate distortion and smear conducted by the Eddie Saenz Campaign against our health care record this endorsement and the kind words by medical professionals will go a long way in bringing truth to interested citizens. Here are words from a recent press release:

"Manual Acosta, MD, chair of the TMA Political Action Committee (TEXPAC) Board of Directors. “He is determined to fight for health care for those Texans who can least afford it. We need to make sure he wins reelection.”

During the 2007 Texas Legislature, Representative Peña supported House Bill 109, which restored Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) coverage for more than 120,000 children in low-income, working families. He worked to shore up the Medicaid system so physicians can provide quality care to poor Texans.

“Representative Peña’s record this year is a continuation of the solid support for health care he has demonstrated since first winning election to the House of Representatives in 2002,” Dr. Acosta said. “He brought a new drug treatment center to his district.

“We urge Representative Peña’s constituents to send him back to Austin for more of the same.”

We thank all the professionals mentioned for their endorsements, trust and confidence. We look forward to continuing our positive campaign for the future success of our community. There are 43 days left until primary election day and with the continued support of supporters like those mentioned today, success surely awaits us on that day.

The Monitor: Push Pollsters Don’t Deserve Votes

2008-01-11T19:22:00.001-08:00

The Monitor Newspaper
January 11, 2008 - 11:48AM

Shove off, tricksters
Push pollsters don’t deserve votes

Push polling is the practice of a political candidate’s campaign creating telephone surveys that stress highly negative and usually untrue information about an opponent and relaying it to potential voters under the guise of a “valid” effort at opinion sampling. It is a thoroughly reprehensible election tactic.

So, naturally, it appears that it is being employed here in the Rio Grande Valley in connection with upcoming elections.

Push polling often goes hand-in-hand with the creation of negative newspaper, television and radio campaign ads in that it frequently is used to test what sorts of political attack information is most likely to get voters riled up against a political opponent. You might say that it is the wicked stepmother — or at best the ugly stepsister — of negative campaigning.

In recent years, one of the prime examples of push polling at the national level occurred during the GOP’s 2000 presidential primaries, when George W. Bush’s campaign conducted a “survey” asking GOP voters whether they would cast a ballot for Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., if they learned he had fathered an illegitimate black child — a question obviously designed to inflame racist sentiment against the senator’s bid for the nomination. The question, of course, was totally salacious. McCain has an adopted daughter from Bangladesh who is neither black nor his biological child.

The Monitor reported on Thursday that so far in this election cycle, there have been several examples of suspected push polling involving candidates running for the Texas Legislature. We learned that incumbent Democratic state Reps. Kino Flores and Aaron Peña possibly have been victims of push polling by their primary election opponents.

In Flores’ case, a voter reported that a caller had asked her issue questions designed to steer her away from supporting Flores and toward voting for his opponent. This is an underhanded, push poll technique, but did not involve the overt spreading of lies or unfounded rumors. Apparently, such was not the case in push polling involving Peña.

The representative said that voters in his district were contacted by phone and asked whether they would vote for him if they heard that he was a drug dealer. Although, in the form it allegedly was asked, the question does not directly accuse him of being a drug dealer, it does sow the seeds of implication and in doing so is an unfounded allegation that could be extremely detrimental to Peña’s re-election bid.

Opinion sampling to see what it is that voters want and expect from the people they support is a valuable and valid election tool, but the underhanded, sleazy tactic of push polling is quite another matter.

We stop short of saying that you should go ahead and cast your vote for a candidate who has been the victim of push polling. However, we strongly urge you not to vote for any candidate who would stoop to so low a level as to employ push polling or to allow campaign workers or consultants to conduct push polling on his or her behalf.

If someone sinks to that level just to get an extra vote or two, consider to what even lower levels he or she might slither once elected to represent you.

Sullivan City Mayor Says he's Backing Peña, not Saenz

2008-01-09T17:00:00.000-08:00

Sullivan City mayor says he's backing Peña, not Saenz

EDINBURG, January 11, 2008 - Sullivan City Mayor Gumaro 'Maro' Flores, father of state Rep. Ismael “Kino” Flores, tells the Guardian that he is backing state Rep. Aaron Peña in House District 40.

In a news release issued Thursday, Democratic primary challenger Eddie Saenz said Mayor Flores was backing his campaign to unseat Peña. The Saenz camp also provided Valley media outlets with a photo of the mayor and the candidate.

“I’m backing Rep. Aaron Peña for House District 40,” Mayor Flores said, in a telephone interview Friday. “Aaron has been working with Kino in Austin for many years. My boy wants Aaron Peña re-elected because he works with him at the state Capitol.”

Asked why the Saenz camp would say he had endorsed Saenz, Flores said he did not know. “There’s been some miscommunication somewhere,” the mayor said.

Asked when the photo with Saenz was taken, Mayor Flores said, “three days ago.”

The Saenz news release said mayors in District 40 were backing Saenz because they wanted positive change in Austin.

“Eddie will put people first and politics last,” Flores is quoted as saying. “My fellow mayors and I believe that's the kind of leadership our region needs in Austin to help deal with the challenges we face.”

Sullivan City is in District 40.

“These are the sort of dirty tricks we have seen throughout my opponent’s desperate campaign,” Peña said.

Saenz said he valued Mayor Flores' friendship.

“I appreciate Mayor Flores' willingness to support me, as he has in the past, and I understand the pressure that puts him under,” Saenz said. “He continues to have my friendship and respect.”

Peña: Governor Perry will Attend Freddy Gonzalez Medal of Honor Ceremony

2008-01-09T09:27:00.000-08:00

9 January 2008
Steve Taylor

EDINBURG, January 9, 2008 - Gov. Rick Perry will posthumously honor Freddy Gonzalez with the state’s highest award at a ceremony in Edinburg on the 40th anniversary of the Vietnam war hero’s death, state Rep. Aaron Peña has announced.

Peña made the announcement to great applause at an Edinburg City Council meeting on Tuesday evening. His remarks were broadcast live on the Edinburg Cable TV Network.

“I just got off the phone with the governor's office,” Peña said. “They said he will definitely be here to bestow the medal.”

The award for Gonzalez was signed into law by Perry at the end of last year’s 80th Legislature, following legislation from Peña and state Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, D-McAllen.

Edinburg city leaders have been eagerly looking forward to holding a ceremony to present the medal to Gonzalez’s mother, Dolia Gonzalez, ever since the legislation was passed. There had been concern that Perry’s busy schedule would mean he could not be present at the ceremony.

Peña said the ceremony would likely held be at the Cats Stadium, starting at 2 p.m., on Feb. 4.

“The citizens of Edinburg are appreciative of Governor Perry's gesture to pay honor to the city's most recognized son,” Peña said. “These were the wishes of Freddy's mother, Dolia Gonzalez, and we certainly appreciate the governor honoring her request. It was her wish that it be held on the anniversary date of her son's passing forty years ago.’

Born in Edinburg, Texas, May 23, 1946, Freddy Gonzalez was the only child born to Dolia Gonzalez, a waitress and a farm worker. Gonzalez also worked in the fields as a child and was quarterback in his high school’s football team. He joined the Marine Corps the summer of 1965.

The Home of Heroes Web site documents Gonzalez’s heroism in the Viet Nam war:

During Operation Hue City, Sergeant Gonzalez' unit was deployed to relieve pressure on the beleaguered city. While moving by convoy along Route No. 1 the Marines received a heavy volume of enemy fire. Sergeant Gonzalez maneuvered his platoon and directed their fire until the area was cleared of snipers.

After crossing a river south of Hue, the column was again hit and one of the Marines on top of a tank was wounded and fell to the ground. Sergeant Gonzalez ran through the fire-swept area, lifted him up and though receiving fragmentation wounds during the rescue, carried the wounded Marine to a covered position for treatment.

When the company was halted by an enemy bunker, Sergeant Gonzalez exposed himself to enemy fire and moved his men to a dike across from the bunker. He then moved to the fire-swept road and destroyed the hostile position.

Seriously wounded again three days later, he refused medical treatment and continued to supervise his unit. The following day the enemy again pinned down the company, inflicting heavy casualties.

Sergeant Gonzalez, utilizing a number of light antitank assault weapons, fearlessly moved from position to position firing numerous rounds at the heavily fortified enemy emplacements before falling mortally wounded.

Gonzalez was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor posthumously in Oct. 1969 by then Vice President Spiro Agnew, on behalf of President Richard Nixon. At the time of his death, Gonzalez was on his second tour of duty in Vietnam.

As well as the Congressional Medal of Honor, Gonzalez won a Purple Heart, the Vietnam Presidential Unit Citation, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Gallantry Cross, the Vietnam Military Merit Medal, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

Gonzalez has an elementary school, a road, and an American Legion post named after him in Edinburg. In 1995, Dolia Gonzalez was present when the Navy commissioned the guided-missile destroyer, USS Alfredo Gonzalez, at Corpus Christi.

“The Valley has given up many sons and daughters to the service of our country, and Freddy Gonzalez is one of the best examples,” said Peña, addressing the city council.

“Having heard the stories of his life and service, he exemplifies all the brave Americans who went to war in their youth, had a life full of promise (and) then lost it too soon. But they loved their communities, and this community does not forget their sons and daughters.”

Council member Gus Garcia asked the audience to give Peña a round of applause.

Peña said he had spoken to Dolia Gonzalez about Perry’s attendance at the ceremony and that she was pleased and relieved. “She told me, 'I think I am ready. Freddy's ready. Let’s do this',” Peña said.

Peña said Dolia Gonzalez was also pleased the ceremony will take place in the stadium where her son had some of his happiest moments.

Edinburg Mayor-Pro Tem Alma Garza chaired the city council meeting in the absence of Mayor Joe Ochoa.

“You can't even imagine the pride we felt at our city council meeting tonight when Rep. Peña told us the news. What an honor,” Garza told the Guardian.

“I'm so happy the Governor will honor Dolia Gonzalez’s son's memory in this way. If you’ve ever interviewed Dolia or ever seen her while she talked about her son, Freddy, you would experience, first hand, the exploding pride a mother has in a son. Don’t get me wrong, she's not boastful. She’s very genuine… and for good reason. We all love Ms. Gonzalez and are so appreciative that her son gave his life for us.”

Peña agreed, predicting the entire city would turnout on Feb. 4, not just for Freddy Gonzalez but also his mother. Now 78, Dolia Gonzalez still holds down two jobs, as a waitress at Edinburg’s Echo Hotel, and as a shop assistant for H-E-B.

“This ceremony will give us the opportunity to recognize the service of a mother who has shown us all the highest example of motherly love and service to community,” he said.

From the Rio Grande Guardian, www.riograndeguardian.com, Melinda Barrera, Publisher. All rights reserved.

Rep. Aaron Peña Files for Re-Election

2007-12-03T17:35:00.001-08:00

I made it official. Early this morning, I traveled to the Hidalgo County Democratic Party Headquarters where I filed documents with Chairman Juan Maldonado to have my name placed on the ballot for re-election to the Texas House of Representatives. That should end one nasty rumor.

I received several calls of support. The first from State Rep. Allen Vaught, the so-called "Mayor of Fallujah" who wanted to have his name placed on my endorsement list. I ribbed him at his appearance in "D Magazine" and the movie I hear that is being made by Matt Damon about his time in Iraq.

Next, I received word that the political action committee of the Texas Medical Association was extending their endorsement to me. Like Rep. Vaught, I am grateful for the encouragement and support.

I am looking forward to a positive campaign about our successes as a community and the wonderful future in front of us.

State Asked to Help Fight Corruption, Political Ineptness, in Delta Region

2007-11-24T10:07:00.000-08:00

Is there anyone in state government who can do anything about dozens of school janitors, cafeteria workers, and security guards having two weeks paid leave during early voting to go trawl for votes for school board members?

If so, the two major political groups in the Rio Grande Valley’s Delta region would like to hear from you. They would like a state investigation into the way Edcouch-Elsa ISD is run, as well as other local governmental entities in one of the most impoverished areas of the country.

Leaders of the Better Edcouch-Elsa Club and the Delta Area Civic Organization announced last week that they had reached an “historic agreement’ to work together to stamp out public corruption in their community. They called the accord historic because for many years they were at each other’s throats.

“How can the school employees get out for a whole two weeks to be taking votes? Either they need them in school, or they don’t need them. Period. They are getting paid from school funds,” said Jesus Flores, a leader of the BEE Club.

Flores said he had been involved in local politics and he has never seen the level of public corruption going on today.

“When they have 100 cars taking the absentee vote, where did they get all that money for a position that does not pay?” Flores asked. “I say, let the people go vote, not go pick them up. We hear they even pay up to $20 per vote.”

Eloy Garza, a leader with the DACO Club, said Flores was speaking the truth.

“The majority on the school board hire them (school employees), and then, when the early voting starts, they go out like an army of workers and they pick up 70 percent of the early vote prior to election day,” Garza complained.

“All these people know that once the political machine wins then they are set in a job for the next year; sometimes, being paid more than they should be paid. We are talking about some non-professionals who get paid as much as a professional.”

A teacher at Edcouch-Elsa who asked not to be named for fear of retribution said Garza and Flores were right to speak out. “All the cafeteria workers and janitors go missing at election time. They get off two or three weeks. And they are just out there bringing in the votes. That’s all they do.”

The state has looked into the goings on at EEISD. In August 2006, the Legislative Budget Board did a school performance review. It commended the school district for eight of its practices and found 80 areas where there was room for improvement.

The LBB said the school board “overreaches its responsibilities by interfering in daily operations of the district.” It also said the school district was overstaffed by 77 positions. EEISD had an enrollment of 5,472 students in 2005-06, and a payroll of 884 employees.

The Texas Education Agency found EEISD to be “academically acceptable” in 2004-05, though its TAKS passing rate of 46 percent, was much lower than the 62 percent statewide average.

Flores said there was no way the BEE and DACO clubs could unite politically and oust the majority running the school board through the election process.

“We have been trying to fight it but it has been so hard. They’ve got control of the school; they’ve got control of the city; they’ve got control of the housing authority,” Flores said.

“They are not doing what’s good for the community; they are doing what is good for them. Hiring people here, hiring people there, they don’t care about what happens with taxpayers’ money, they don’t care what happens to the schoolchildren. It’s embarrassing.”

Garza agreed. “We have tried. They are well-funded and therefore they are very strong politically,” he said.

Exacerbating the problem, Flores and Garza say, is the fact that countywide elected officials tap into the huge political machine in the Delta for votes. As a result, few political leaders in Hidalgo County are willing to say anything.

“We’ve been to the District Attorney. We’ve been to the sheriff. It seems like nobody has been able to help us in any way,” Flores said.

Many Edcouch and Elsa citizens hoped things would improve when then-EEISD school board president Aaron Gonzalez was arrested in February 2006 and convicted in federal court of extortion in June 2006. Gonzalez admitted taking cash and trips in return for votes to help certain contractors get school district contracts.

Unfortunately, Flores and Garza said, things did not improve, and supporters of Gonzalez in the BEE Club broke away to set up a splinter group, known today as the Super BEE Club. “We voted to get rid him, but a lot of people followed him,” Flores said.

Fearing that political disunity might foster other problems for the district, leaders of the BEE and DACO clubs asked state Rep. Aaron Peña, D-Edinburg, if he could help them find a replacement board member for Gonzalez.

The consensus candidate was Saul Garcia, Peña’s legislative director, who was sworn into office in March 2006. That has not worked out well, according to the anonymous teacher, because Garcia has yet to offer himself up for election.

“You have a school board member, Mr. Garcia, who was appointed two years ago and by law, under the Election Code, as soon as there is a new election, he’s supposed to be replaced,” the teacher said. “We have gone through three elections and he has not been replaced. There’s a lot of abuse going on over there.”

Flores and Garza went into great detail about the allegations of corruption in an interview with the Guardian while attending Peña’s campaign kickoff event at Edinburg’s Echo Hotel last Thursday. They had nothing but praise for Peña and said they hoped he could help them battle inept leadership on the school board.

“We think Representative Peña can talk to people at TEA. The legislature has authority over the TEA. He can talk to the right people,” Garza said.

“All we are asking is, please come in and investigate. We have our own ideas on what is going on but we want the state to investigate for them selves. Certainly, there has been enough information given to them. It’s just a matter of them doing what they need to do.”

A boisterous crowd of supporters went silent at Peña’s campaign kickoff when the three-term House member said he would fight corruption in the Delta. Peña said the BEE and DACO club leaders had asked him to speak out.

“I make this a pledge: that next session I’m going to work really hard so that we provide honest and decent government for all our kids. No longer will we have a tax on the poor; no longer will this hidden tax come and affect us. We will work together to better our community and I hope you stand with me in that effort,” Peña said. The crowd applauded.

Interviewed afterwards, Peña said the first thing anyone could do is recognize there is a problem and the second is to speak out. On the legislative front, he said the committee he chairs, Criminal Jurisprudence, could hold a hearing on the issue.

“Our community has taken remarkable strides towards the future,” Peña said. “The economic advances, growth and prosperity of the borderlands is unparalleled in Texas history. With such growth come greater expectations. It is essential that illegal corruption be rooted out from our public discourse. True success will not come unless our moral growth matches our economic growth.”

Peña said he agreed with Flores and Garza that businesses will not locate in the Delta if the political leadership is lacking.

“Business and the jobs they bring demand a stable political environment,” Peña said. ‘They and the wonderful people of our community should not be carrying the added tax that comes from public corruption. As charged by the leaders of this community it is my intention to use every resource at my disposal to bring good and honest government to the people I serve.”

Garza said the ineptness of the political leadership is there for all to see. He pointed to the fact that the City of Elsa is around $3 million in debt and had to let go of 90 percent of its employees because it could not meet payroll.

The schoolteacher who wished to remain nameless, Garza, Flores, and Peña all agreed that there were plenty of good people in the Delta.

“The problem is restricted to a select few,” the teacher said. “You see people trying. The people who can go vote don’t go vote. And the people who do vote think of it as a way of life. There are a lot of really good people there. It’s just accepted as a way of life. We are going to support certain people. There’s corruption, everybody knows about it.”

The teacher pointed to an opportunity EEISD had last year to be a part of the Gates Foundation High School Redesign Program. “Because it went against the football program they killed it. It’s about football first and I don’t think education runs even second. It had potential to really help the students,” the teacher lamented.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

© Copyright of the Vox Veritas Corporation dba Rio Grande Guardian. Article by Steve Taylor.

Happy Thanksgiving

2007-11-22T08:48:00.001-08:00

2007-11-04T09:09:00.000-08:00

Campaign Kick-Off November 8th

2007-10-12T11:33:00.001-07:00

Five Edinburg Mayors Endorse Representative Peña

2007-09-21T20:51:00.000-07:00

Edinburg - Some call them city fathers, others call them mayor, but this week the supporters of Representative Peña are calling them the "Five Wise Men of Edinburg."

Today five former mayors of Edinburg endorsed the re-election of State Representative Aaron Peña. Mayors Al Ramirez, 1963-1967; Ronald Case, 1973-1981; Richard Alamia, 1981-1987; Rudy de la Viña, 1987-1993 and Richard Garcia, 2003-2006 are calling on their community to support Representative Peña and re-elect him to a 4th term in the Texas House.

"I had the fortune of being elected mayor of this great city in 1963," said Mayor Al Ramirez. "I have know Aaron and his family for a long time. He is a hometown boy who played in our baseball parks and in our football fields. Aaron knows and cares for Edinburg. He has done a great job for our city and we need to keep him in office."

Mayor Case added, "Aaron's roots run deep in this city. He has always put this community in front of personal interest. He follows a long Edinburg tradition of service to community."

Mayor Alamia voiced the concern expressed by many that people outside our community are pushing Representative Peña's opponent. "When you are determined to fight for your community and not push some special interest agenda you step on some toes. I am proud of Aaron's record and I know he will continue to represent the concerns of our citizens."

Mayor Garcia put it plainly, "Aaron has proven that he has the experience and strength to deliver. When the city asked him to secure important funding for the RAHC he came through with $5 million. He also delivered $3 million for the construction of a new health clinic and substance abuse treatment center and another $750 thousand for our museum on the square. At the campus of the University of Texas Pan American you will see a brand new $26 million Health and Wellness Center and the construction of $40 million Performing Arts Complex that will stand as a jewel not only for Edinburg, but the entire Rio Grande Valley. There is no doubt that Aaron has served this community with great success."

Mayor de la Viña agreed that Representative Peña continues to prove on his word. "Aaron won't back down when the going gets tough. He was the primary joint author of $80 million CHIP legislation that restored healthcare services to thousands of children. He has fought for our public schools, teachers and retirees. Aaron has earned some real momentum. Our community can not afford to move backwards."

"I am so proud to see these true public servants united behind my re-election campaign," said Representative Peña. "Over the years I have learned so much listening, talking and visiting with these men and so many others like them in our community. Many try and buy respect but it must be earned. I will continue to serve the interests of the people of this city and District 40 with a sincere heart and a true spirit."

The Democratic Primary Election will be held on March 4, 2008. Representative Peña is facing the same challenger he overwhelmingly defeated in 2004..

Changes in the Law from 80th Session

2007-09-12T08:25:00.000-07:00

BUSINESS REGULATION AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

HB 1038 by Ritter - Revising Operation of the Texas Residential Construction Commission
• Revises disciplinary actions and the inspections process under the Texas Residential Construction Commission (TRCC) Act, and changes requirements for registered builders and the composition of the TRCC.
• Lowers the value of interior home improvements subject to the TRCC Act from $20,000 to $10,000.
• In order to maintain registration, a builder must meet continuing education requirements, including five hours of continuing education every five years.
• A municipality must verify that a builder is registered with TRCC or exempt from registration before issuing a building permit.
• Requires registration of colonias and requires a homeowner of a colonia who claims a post-construction defect to go through the state-sponsored inspection and dispute-resolution process (SIRP).

More from the San Antonio Business Journal.

HB 1634 by Dukes - Incentives for Film, Television, and Related Industries
• To be eligible for moving image industry incentive grants, a project must generate $1 million in in-state spending for film or television programs or $100,000 in in-state spending for commercials.
• At least 70 percent of the production crew, actors, and extras must be Texas residents, and at least 80 percent of the project must be filmed in Texas.
• A grant application may be denied because of content that is inappropriate or that portrays Texas or Texans in a negative fashion.
• Qualifying applicants may receive a grant not to exceed the lesser of 5 percent of the total amount of a production company’s in-state spending or $2 million for a film; $2.5 million for a television program; $200,000 for a commercial or series of commercials; or $250,000 for a digital interactive media production.

HB 3358 by Smithee - Prohibiting Insurance Rate Increases During Judicial Review
• Prohibits an insurer from raising insurance rates before a matter under judicial review is finally resolved, unless the new rate is filed with the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) and approved by the insurance commissioner.
• Would discourage the insurers from using the court system to their advantage while challenging the disapproval of a rate increase by the insurance commissioner.
• This would prevent another situation such as when the insurance commissioner did not approve a rate increase proposed by State Farm. The company appealed the commissioner’s decision but has been able to charge the higher rate while the matter is under judicial review. Experts estimate that State Farm has made more than $600 million in premium and interest charges during its court challenge to TDI’s initial rate adjustment.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE

HB 8 by Riddle - Jessica's Law (Death Penalty and Other Punishments for Repeat Sex Crimes Against Children)
• Death Penalty for 2nd Aggravated Sexual Assault
• 25 years for Super Aggravated Sexual Assault
• Defines Continuous Sexual Assault of a Child to mean 30 days or more, commits two or more acts of sexual abuses, and the actor is older than 17 years of age and the victim is younger 14 years of age. The bill gives jury instructions and outlines affirmative defense to prosecution in certain instances.
• Also removes eligibility for probation for crimes against children under 14
• No deferred adjudication or parole for continuous sexual assault against a child or aggravated sexual assault
• Adds Sexual Performance by a Child into the "3g" offense (meaning that a judge is not allowed to order community supervision for this offense).
• Sexual Performance by a Child is now a first degree felony if the child is younger than 14.
• Requires GPS tracking of sexual violent predator
• No statute of limitations for serious sexual offenses such as aggravated sexual assault, continuous sexual abuse of a child, indecency with a child.
• Statute of limitations expanded to 20 years from the victim's 18th birthday, if the victim was younger than 17 at the time of the offense, and the offense was either sexual performance by a child, aggravated kidnapping if the intent was to sexually abuse or violate the child, or burglary if the intent was to sexually abuse or violate the child.

HB 2328 by Woolley - Animal Cruelty
• Creates a distinction between cruelty to "livestock" and "non-livestock" animals and enhances the punishment up to a state jail felony for both offenses if the accused tortures, poisons, and other animal cruelty offenses. All other acts remain a Class A misdemeanor, and prior convictions bump the punishment range up to a third degree felony.
• Preserves longstanding protections to prosecution for persons who fear bodily injury from a dangerous wild animal; or who engage in the acts of bona fide scientific experimentation, hunting, fishing, trapping, regulated wildlife control, farming, animal husbandry, and for certain acts against animals caught in the act of injuring or killing livestock animals.

SB 103 by Hinojosa - Revising the TYC Authority and Operations
• Prohibits misdemeanor offenders from being sent to TYC
• Requires TYC to provide 300 hours of training to guards before they begin their duties at facilities and to maintain a ratio at least 1 guard for every 12 youth committed to the facility.
• Creates an appeals process for sentence extension orders.
• Requires annual inspections of county juvenile facilities by local judges and the Texas Juvenile Probation Commission.
• Reimburses counties for certain expenditures associated with new procedures.
• Requires TYC to establish a Special Prosecutor as well as an Office of Inspector General for the purpose of investigating and prosecuting criminal acts among TYC youth, guards, and other TYC employees.
• Establishes an independent ombudsman
• Enhances criminal penalties for sexual offenses against TYC inmates
• Prohibits TYC from assigning a child younger than 15 years of age to the same dormitory as a youth at least 17 years of age.
• Requires the Texas Rangers to make monthly unannounced visits to TYC facilities and to submit reports to the Texas Sunset Commission for inclusion in TYC’s Sunset review evaluation.
• Requires a chaplain be appointed for each TYC institution.
• Mandates internal and external audits.

SB 378 by Wentworth - Castle Doctrine Bill (Use of Force or Deadly Force in Self-Defense)
• A person that uses force or deadly force is presumed to be reasonable if:
• someone has unlawfully and with force entered or is trying to enter the person’s occupied home, vehicle, or work place;
• unlawfully and with force removes or is trying to remove the person from the person’s home, vehicle, or work place;
• is trying to commit aggravated kidnapping, murder, sexual assault, aggravated sexual assault, robbery, or aggravated robbery;
• In order for it to be self-defense, the actor must not have provoked the person against whom force is used; and the actor is not engaged in a criminal activity at the time force is used, other than a minor traffic violation.
• An actor is not required to retreat if the actor has a right to be present at the location, has not provoked the person against whom the force is used, and is not engaging in criminal activity at the time.
• The bill provides civil immunity for self-defense.

SB 6 by Zaffirini/Peña- Online Solicitation of a Minor
• Increases the level of offense from a state jail felony to a felony of the third degree for a person that communicates with a minor in a sexually explicit manner or distributes sexually explicit material.
• Increases the level of offense from a third degree felony to a second degree felony if the person solicits a minor to meet with the intent to have sexual contact, sexual intercourse, or deviate sexual intercourse.

HB 1766 by Peña - Aluminum, Bronze, or Copper Wiring Theft
• Provides that the theft of wiring or cable that consists of at least 50 percent aluminum, bronze, or copper metals and that has a value of less than $20,000 is a state jail felony.

ENVIRONMENT

HB 12 by Hilderbran - Funding and Jurisdiction of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and Historical Commission
• Provides protection for state parks and historical sites.
• Would establish a legislative task to study the issue of TPWD funding via the sporting goods sales tax to ensure that these funds are collected fairly.
• Ensures greater efficiency and improve the profit potential at TPWD sites.

SB 3 by Averitt - Water Resources Development and Management
• Provides designation protection for a minimum flow in rivers, bays, and estuaries. This will balance agricultural, commercial, and residential needs with important environmental considerations.
• Follows the recommendations in the 2007 state water plan by designating 19 reservoir sites that could be needed to meet the state’s water needs in the next half century, and would not seize any private property or put any undue restrictions on landowners for construction of these reservoir sites.
• Provide programs to encourage water conservation.

SB 12 by Averitt - Air Quality Enhancement Programs, Including Energy Efficiency Standards
• 2010 is the federal deadline for requirement standards, and several areas of Texas remain in noncompliance.
• In order to not lose any federal funding, the state needs to reduce the NOx emissions.
• It modifies guidelines set by Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) for the Low-Income Vehicle Replacement Program (LIRAP) at the county level.
• Increases energy efficiency for buildings and appliances through programs such as the solar system installation in residences and businesses.

Utilities

Repealing the Telecommunications Infrastructure Fund assessment
HB 735 by Straus
Effective September 1, 2008
HB 735 will repeal the Telecommunications Infrastructure Fund assessment, a 1.25 percent tax on the taxable receipts of telecommunications providers. Collection of the assessment will continue until September 30, 2008, but not after that date. The bill repeals Utilities Code ch. 57, subch. C and other sections of code governing the TIF board and policies.

Grants to encourage electric energy generation with biomass materials
HB 1090 by Swinford
Effective September 1, 2007
HB 1090 establishes an agriculture biomass and landfill diversion incentive program at the Department of Agriculture. The program will distribute grants to encourage electric energy generation with certain types of biomass materials. Grants will be distributed with the intent of moving the state forward in its goal to generate more renewable energy.

Electricity efficiency and conservation incentives
HB 693by Straus
Effective September 1, 2007
HB 693 requires local governments, state agencies, and universities to adopt various policies to save energy; revises building codes to encourage energy savings; and provides incentives to electric utilities and consumers to reduce the growth in demand for electricity.

FAMILIES AND CHILDREN

HB 2685 by Chisum - Marriage License Fee Waiver for Premarital Education
• If a couple completes an 8 hour premarital education course, then the $60 marriage license fee is waived.
• Does not mandate the completion of a premarital education course.

SB 758 by Nelson - Child Protective Services Revisions
• Requires the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) to implement a Child Protective Services (CPS) improvement plan with the primary goals of keeping families together while ensuring child safety in the home, reducing the time children remain in state care, and improving the quality and accountability of foster care.
• DFPS will provide enhanced in-home support for families in which poverty could be a significant cause of child neglect.
• Privatize all case management with increased measures.

GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS

HB 991 by Rose - Limiting Disclosure of Concealed Handgun Licensees
• Provides that only criminal justice/law enforcement agencies can obtain personal information (name, address, date of birth) of the concealed handgun licensee.
• Previously, anyone could file a written request and obtain private information regarding the concealed handgun licensee.

SB 11 by Carona - Emergency Management, Mutual Aid System, Wiretaps, Vehicle Tags, Border Security Council
• Designates certain local officials as emergency management directors to serve as the governor’s designated agents for duties under the Texas Disaster Act.
• Establishes the Texas Statewide Mutual Aid System to provide for statewide mutual aid responses between local governments that do not have written mutual aid agreements.
• Expands the current authority to use wiretaps from investigations of capital murder, child pornography, and certain drug crimes to include investigations of kidnapping, aggravated kidnapping, trafficking of persons, and money laundering if the money laundering involved an offense against a person.
• Creates the Border Security Council to advise the governor about the allocation of border security funds and to develop and recommend to the governor performance standards, reporting requirements, audit methods, and other procedures to ensure funds allocated by the governor for border security are used properly and that fund recipients are held accountable for the funds. The council is composed of members appointed by the governor, at least one-third of whom must be residents of the Texas-Mexico border region.
• Authorizes DPS to issue an enhanced driver’s license or identification card for crossing the Texas-Mexico border. These may be issued only to applicants who prove their U.S. citizenship, identity, and Texas residency. DPS must implement a biometric matching system for the enhanced license.
• Expands the kinds of activities that may be considered part of the criminal offense of human trafficking, requires certain hotels and other public lodgings that have tolerated human trafficking and are part of a common nuisance civil suit to post a toll-free number concerning human trafficking, and directs the attorney general and the Health and Human Services Commission to conduct studies on human trafficking.

SB 1908 by Ellis - Modifying Provisions for Statewide and Local Housing Programs
• Establishes the Texas First-Time Homebuyer Program to facilitate the origination of single-family mortgage loans for eligible first-time homebuyers and to provide loans for down payment and closing cost assistance.
• To be eligible for a mortgage loan through the program, an individual must qualify as a first-time homebuyer and meet income eligibility and other departmental requirements.

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

HB 14 and HJR 90 by Keffer - Cancer Research Funding
Effective pending voter approval November 6, 2007
• The purpose of the institute would be to:
• create and expedite innovation in the area of cancer research enhancing the potential for a scientific breakthrough in the prevention of and cure for cancer;
• attract, create, or expand research capabilities of higher education institutions and other public or private entities that would promote a substantial increase in cancer research and in the creation of high-quality new jobs in Texas; and
• develop and implement the Texas Cancer Plan.
• HJR 90 would amend the Texas Constitution to establish the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas and enable the Texas Public Finance Authority to issue general obligation bonds on behalf of the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute in an amount not to exceed $3 billion, with no more than $300 million in bonds authorized to be issued in a year, for grants for cancer research and operation of the institute.

HB 109 by Turner - Children's Health Insurance Program Eligibility Revisions
• Establishes Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) income eligibility levels using net family income rather than gross family income. The definition of net family income allows a reduction for child-care expenses for determining income eligibility.
• The period that a child remains eligible for CHIP benefits increases from six months to a period not to exceed 12 months.
• The family allowable asset limit for CHIP eligibility increases from $5,000 to $10,000. The value of vehicles that may be exempted from the asset calculation increases as well.
• HHSC will contract with community-based organizations to conduct community outreach promoting knowledge of and enrollment in child health programs. The outreach campaign will include school-based clinics and a toll-free number. Outreach materials must be written in Spanish and English.

SB 10 by Nelson - Revisions to the Medicaid Program and Access to Health Care
Access to health care.
• The Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) will promote access to federally qualified health centers or rural health clinics.
• Former foster care youth enrolled in an institution of higher education may receive Medicaid benefits up to the age of 23.
• Individuals preferring to enroll in a group health benefit plan may opt-out of Medicaid coverage, and HHSC will pay the individual’s share of required premiums up to the estimated total Medicaid cost.
Client-centered revisions.
• If cost-effective and feasible, HHSC will implement a health savings account pilot program to encourage health care cost awareness and promote appropriate utilization of Medicaid services among volunteer participants.
• If cost-effective and feasible, certain Medicaid recipients may designate a primary care provider to provide the recipients’ initial and primary care and initiate referrals to other health care providers.
Prevention.
• HHSC will develop and implement a pilot program in one region under which Medicaid recipients receive incentives to lead healthy lifestyles.
• Women eligible for Medicaid coverage to treat breast or cervical cancer will be eligible for coverage for screenings for these cancers.
Technology.
• HHSC will contract for an acute care Medicaid billing coordination system and implement fraud detection and deterrence measures proven effective by a study.

Higher Education

High school curriculum requirements for higher education admission
HB 3826 by Morrison
Effective June 15, 2007
To qualify for admission to a general academic institution of higher education in Texas, HB 3826 will require, beginning with admissions for the 2008-09 academic school year, all high school students who graduate from a public or an accredited private high school in Texas to:
• graduate under the recommended or advanced high school curriculum or its equivalent;
• satisfy ACT’s college readiness benchmarks; or
• score at least 1,500 on the SAT exam.
HB 3826 will require students graduating with a grade point average in the top 10 percent of their high school class to complete the recommended or advanced high school curriculum, or its equivalent, to qualify for automatic admission to a Texas university.

Establishing the Texas Tomorrow Fund II prepaid tuition program
HB3900 by Morrison
Effective June 15, 2007
HB 3900 establishes the Texas Tomorrow Fund II pre-paid tuition unit undergraduate education program, to be administered by the Prepaid Higher Education Tuition Board in the Comptroller’s Office. The fund will receive money from the purchase of prepaid tuition contracts, plus income earned from investment of fund assets.
• Purchasers may pre-pay the costs of all or a portion of a student’s undergraduate tuition at four-year and two-year institutions, both private and public, or at accredited out-of-state institutions.
• The beneficiary must be a state resident or the child of a state resident at the time the purchaser enters the pre-paid tuition contract.
• Purchasers may transfer money between Texas Tomorrow Fund II accounts and similar prepaid plans established in Texas or other states.
The program offers three types of pre-paid tuition units to Texas residents:
• Type I units are based on the cost of undergraduate resident tuition and required fees charged by the universities with the highest tuition and fee costs.
• Type II units are based on the cost of the weighted average undergraduate resident tuition and fees at universities.
• Type III are based on the cost of the weighted average resident tuition and fees of two-year institutions.
Each unit costs 1 percent of a year’s tuition and fees at current rates. The board must adjust the purchase price of the tuition units annually based on the actual cost of tuition.
Purchasers may buy one type of unit or a combination of unit types.

Limiting top 10 percent automatic undergraduate admissions
SB 101 by Shapiro
Conference committee report died in the House

Judiciary

Amending venue rules for lawsuits involving maritime workers
HB 160by Van Arsdale
Effective May 24, 2007
HB 1602establishes new venue rules for civil actions under the federal Jones Act, which provides a cause of action for the injury or death of maritime workers in the course of their employment. If all or a substantial part of the events or omissions giving rise to a Jones Act claim occurred in Texas or on the state’s inland waters, the suit may be brought in the county in which a substantial part of the events occurred or where the defendant’s principal Texas office is located.
If a substantial part of the events or omissions occurred ashore in a Gulf Coast state other than Texas or on inland waters outside Texas, the venue may be in the county:
• where the defendant’s principal office in Texas is located, if the office is located in a coastal county;
• in the county where the plaintiff resided at the time the cause of action accrued, if the defendant does not have a principal office in a coastal county; or
• in Harris or Galveston counties, depending on the plaintiff’s residence.
All other suits brought under the Jones Act may be filed in the county where the defendant’s principal Texas office is located, where the plaintiff resided at the time the cause of action accrued, or in which a substantial part of the events or omissions giving rise to the claim occurred.

Issuance by a court of a capias, capias pro fine, or an arrest warrant
HB3060 by Peña
Effective September 1, 2007
Capias and capias pro fine warrants are used by courts to compel the payment of fees and fines. HB3060 will:
• clarify that all courts are allowed to issue these warrants
• allow the warrants to be issued in electronic form
• prohibit the incarceration of indigent persons for inability to pay

Public Education

Adding study of the Bible as public school elective course
HB 187 by Chisum
Effective June 15, 2007
HB 187 allows school districts, beginning with the 2009-2010 school year, to offer an elective course for students in grades nine or above on the Bible’s Hebrew scriptures (Old Testament) and its impact, the New Testament and its impact, or a course combining the two.
The bill also adds religious literature, including the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) and the New Testament, and their impact on history and literature to the required enrichment curriculum in public schools.
The purpose of the course is to teach students biblical content, characters, poetry, and narratives that are prerequisites to understanding contemporary society and culture, including literature, art, music, mores, oratory, and public policy.

Programs and grants for dropout prevention, high school success, and college readiness
HB 2237 by Eissler
Effective June 15, 2007
HB 2237 establishes a variety of pilot projects and grant programs for dropout prevention, high school success, and college readiness.

• Dropout prevention pilot programs include up to $4 million per biennium for a program to fund student club activities for students at risk of dropping out of school, and
• up to $4 million per year for school districts and charter schools to collaborate with local businesses, non-profit and faith-based organizations, or other interested parties to reduce dropouts and increase employment opportunities for students who might otherwise drop out.
• Another pilot program will offer intensive academic instruction during the summer for students at risk of dropping out.
The bill also directs TEA to contract with one or more centers for education research to conduct a study of best practices for dropout prevention and requires school districts and charter schools with high dropout rates to submit to TEA a plan for using the compensatory education and high school allotments for developing and implementing research-based strategies for dropout prevention.

Alternative school placement of students expelled for felonies and registered sex offenders
HB2532 by Patrick
Effective June 15, 2007
Alternative education program placement revisions.
HB 2532 revises the laws governing when students may be sent to alternative educational placements called Juvenile Justice Alternative Education Programs (JJAEPs) and disciplinary alternative education programs (DAEPs).
HB 2532 allows school boards to expel students and place them in either a JJAEP or a DAEP for engaging in any felony offense under Title 5 of the Penal Code, which involves offenses against persons, regardless of where the offense occurred.
• DAEPs were used for students who committed serious off-campus offenses that were not school-related, those who committed violations of the student code of conduct, and those who committed certain other misdemeanor offenses on campus.
• JJAEPs were used for certain students who were expelled from school for serious on-campus or school-related offenses listed in Education Code, sec. 37.007, some of which are Title 5 offenses.
• This applies in the 26 Texas counties with populations greater than 125,000, which are required to work with school districts to establish JJAEPs.
Under HB 2532, a student may be expelled and, under a memorandum of understanding between the school board and the local juvenile board, sent to a JJAEP if the student:
• is charged with engaging in conduct defined as a felony in Title 5, Penal Code, which involves offenses against persons;
• has been referred to a juvenile court for an adjudication hearing after an allegation of committing a Title 5 felony;
• has received probation or deferred adjudication for a Title 5 felony;
• has been convicted of a Title 5 felony; or
• has been arrested for or charged with a Title 5 felony.
In addition, the student’s presence in the regular classroom would have to threaten the safety of other students, be detrimental to the educational process, or not be in the best interest of the district’s students.

Requiring TEA to establish a dual language education pilot program
HB 814 by Eissler
Effective June 15, 2007
HB 814 requires the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to establish a dual language education pilot program to examine dual language education programs and their effect on a student’s ability to graduate from high school. TEA will administer the project, selecting participating school districts that commit to a operating a dual language program for at least three years and giving preference to districts that:
• implement the program at the kindergarten level and demonstrate the potential to expand the program through middle and high school;
• offer at least one language other than English used in the pilot program; and
• demonstrate parent, teacher, and community support for a language immersion program.
TEA will select no more than 10 districts and 30 campuses to participate in the pilot program. The first year of the program must be devoted to planning activities, including hiring and training teachers, establishing parental and community support, and acquiring adequate learning materials in both program languages.

Voluntary expression of religious viewpoints in public schools
HB 3678 by C. Howard
Effective June 8, 2007
HB 3678 requires a school district to treat a student’s voluntary expression of a religious viewpoint in the same manner that the district treats a student’s expression of a secular or other viewpoint on a permissible subject. The bill may be cited as the Religious Viewpoints Antidiscrimination Act or the Schoolchildren’s Religious Liberties Act.
School districts must adopt a policy to establish a limited public forum for student speakers at school events in order to:
• provide a forum that does not discriminate against a student’s voluntary expression of a religious viewpoint on a permissible subject;
• provide a neutral method for selecting students to speak at school events and graduation ceremonies;
• ensure a student speaker does not engage in obscene, vulgar, offensively lewd, or indecent speech; and
• provide a disclaimer, in writing or orally, that the students’ remarks do not reflect the endorsement, sponsorship, position, or expression of the school district.

Random steroid testing in public high schools
SB 8 by Janek
Effective June 15, 2007
SB 8 requires high school students participating in athletic activities sponsored or sanctioned by the University Interscholastic League (UIL) to submit to random testing for steroids.
The UIL must adopt rules to administer the steroid testing program. The rules must:
• require the random testing of a statistically significant number of students to be tested;
• provide for the selection of students through a process that randomly selects from a single pool of students participating in any UIL athletic activity;
• administer the program at about 30 percent of participating high schools;
• provide for a process for confirming any initial positive results through a subsequent test;
• require the testing to be conducted at an approved and certified laboratory; and
• provide for a period of ineligibility for students with confirmed positive results.

Requiring criminal background checks for public school employees
SB 9 by Shapiro
Effective June 15, 2007
SB 9 requires criminal background checks for public school employees and establishes a criminal history clearinghouse within the Department of Public Safety (DPS). A national criminal history record information (CHRI) review will have to be conducted for:
• applicants for or holders of teaching certificates who currently are employed by a school district, charter school, or shared service agreement;
• teachers, librarians, educational aides, administrators, and counselors at charter schools (TEA must approve these applicants for employment);
• non-certified and contract employees for school districts who are hired after January 1, 2008, if the contract employee has or will have continuing duties related to the contract service as well as direct contact with students; and
• substitute teachers.

Increased physical education requirements for public school students
SB 50 by Nelson
Effective June 15, 2007
SB 530 transfers authority for establishing physical education requirements for public school students from the State Board of Education to school districts and sets minimum standards for student physical activity.
• Beginning with the 2007-08 school year, students below sixth grade will have to participate in moderate or vigorous daily physical activity for at least 30 minutes throughout the school year.
• Beginning with the 2008-09 school year, students in grades six through eight must participate in daily physical activity for at least 30 minutes for at least four semesters during those grade levels.

Replacing TAKS with end-of-course exams for graduation
SB 1031 by Shapiro
Effective September 1, 2007
SB 1031 replaces the exit-level and other high school TAKS tests with end-of-course exams, which students will be required to pass in order to graduate from high school. The bill also establishes test security procedures and penalties for those who violate these procedures.
End-of-course exams. To receive a high school diploma, students taking the recommended or advanced high school program will have to perform satisfactorily on end-of-course exams in each of the following subjects:
• English I, II, and III;
• Algebra I and II and geometry;
• biology, chemistry, and physics; and
• world geography, world history, and U.S. history.
Students taking the minimum high school program will have to perform satisfactorily on end-of-course exams only for the courses listed above that are required to complete the program.

Public Employees

Restricting ERS and TRS pension fund investments in Sudan
SB 247 by Ellis
Effective January 1, 2008
SB 247 establishes a “targeted divestment” process by which the Employees Retirement System (ERS) and the Teacher Retirement System (TRS) – following a series of notifications outlined in the bill – must sell, redeem, divest, or withdraw, beginning in January 1, 2008, all publicly traded securities of certain “scrutinized businesses” with operations in Sudan.

Increasing TRS contribution rates and issuing a “13th check” for retirees
SB 1846 by Duncan
Effective September 1, 2007
SB 1846 allows the Teacher Retirement System (TRS) board of trustees to make a one-time supplemental payment, or “13th check,” to eligible TRS annuitants if the pension fund is determined to be “actuarially sound,” meaning that unfunded liabilities can be amortized over a period of 30 years.
• If issuing such a payment would cause the fund to become actuarially unsound, the TRS board may increase the TRS member contribution rate from 6.4 to no more than 6.58 percent of salary. The bill increases the state contribution rate to 6.58 percent of payroll.
• The “13th check” will be the lesser of $2,400 or the amount of the annuitant’s August 2007 gross annuity payment and subject to all applicable tax withholding and other required deductions.

Taxation and revenue

Proportionate reduction in elderly and disabled school tax freeze amount
SJR 1by Averitt/HB 5 by Berman
Approved by voters at the May 12, 2007, election
SJR 13 adds Art. 8, sec. 1-b(d-1) to the Texas Constitution, to specify, for homeowners who are age 65 or older or disabled and receiving a limitation on school property taxes in the 2007 tax year, that the Legislature can reduce the limitation amount to reflect a reduction in the tax rate from tax year 2006. The Legislature also can reduce the limitation amount to reflect a rate reduction that occurred between tax year 2005 and tax year 2006.
Texas Constitution, Art. 8, sec. 1-b(d) freezes the amount of taxes imposed by a school district on the residence homestead of a person who is age 65 or older or disabled. The tax amount may not be increased while the property remains the residence homestead of the person or the person’s spouse. In accordance with that section, the Legislature can provide for the continuation of the limitation amount until the limitation expires.

Entry fee for sexually oriented businesses to fund sexual assault prevention
HB 1751 by Cohen
Effective January 1, 2008
HB 1751 imposes a fee of $5 on each entry by each customer to a sexually oriented business that provides live nude entertainment and allows on-premises consumption of alcoholic beverages. The money generated by the fee, up to $25 million per fiscal biennium, will go into the sexual assault program fund. Money from the sexual assault program fund may be appropriated for state programs and grants to outside organizations to combat sexual violence and provide sexual assault victim assistance.

Correcting and modifying the revised franchise tax
HB 928 by Keffer
Effective January 1, 2008
HB 3928 makes numerous changes to the revised franchise tax created under HB 3 by Keffer (79th Legislature, third called session), which will take effect January 1, 2008.
Small business tax discount. The bill creates a discount on tax liability for small businesses:
• a taxable entity with annual total revenue that is at least $300,000 but less than $400,000 will be eligible for a discount of 80 percent on its tax liability;
• a taxable entity with annual total revenue that is at least $400,000 but less than $500,000 will be eligible for a discount of 60 percent on its tax liability;
• a taxable entity with annual total revenue that is at least $500,000 but less than $700,000 will be eligible for a discount of 40 percent on its tax liability;
• a taxable entity with annual total revenue that is at least $700,000 but less than $900,000 will be eligible for a discount of 20 percent on its tax liability.
Beginning in tax year 2010, these thresholds will be indexed biennially for inflation.

Transportation

Two-year moratorium and local priority for certain toll road projects, revised standards for CDAs, higher highway bonding capacity
SB 792 by Williams
Mostly effective June 11, 2007
SB 792 establishes a two-year moratorium, with certain exceptions, on all statewide toll projects that involve a private entity operating or collecting revenue on a toll road. The bill creates requirements for comprehensive development agreements (CDAs), including shortening their maximum duration, and new standards for interaction between the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and entities authorized to build toll roads. It authorizes, for all toll projects, TxDOT and the Texas Transportation Commission (TTC) to take any action necessary in their reasonable judgment to comply with federal requirements enabling the state to receive funding. SB 792 also adds reporting requirements and oversight for TxDOT.
The moratorium specifically includes any toll project or managed lane facility project on any portion of U.S. Highway 281 in Bexar County, but exempts CDAs in connection with projects:
• in Cameron, El Paso, and Hidalgo counties, unless a toll project adopted by the El Paso Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) prior to May 1, 2007, meets specific criteria;
• associated with the Trinity Parkway in Dallas;
• including one or more managed-lane facilities added to an existing controlled-access highway, primarily located in a nonattainment or near-nonattainment air quality area for which TxDOT issued a request for qualifications prior to May 1, 2007;
• on any portion of the Loop 9 project in a nonattainment air quality area in Tarrant and Dallas counties;
• on any portion of the State Highway 99 project;
• on certain portions of the proposed Interstate 69 project south of Refugio County;
• on the State Highway 161 project in Dallas County; and
• outside the scope of the Trans Texas Corridor located in the jurisdictions of regional mobility authorities (RMAs) meeting specific criteria.

Three-point seat belts for school buses
HB 323 by Hamilton
Effective September 1, 2007
HB 323 requires that each bus transporting school children be equipped with three-point – lap/shoulder – seat belts for the driver and each passenger. Each school district must require students riding buses equipped with lap/shoulder belts to wear the belts and can create disciplinary procedures to enforce compliance. The requirements apply to all buses purchased by the school district on or after September 1, 2010, and to all school-chartered buses used by a school district on or after September 1, 2011

Statewide standards for use of red-light cameras
SB 1119 by Carona
Effective September 1, 2007
SB 1119 establishes procedures for local entities opting to use cameras to cite owners of vehicles illegally running red lights. It caps civil penalties at $75 and late fees at $25 and requires net proceeds be split between the state and local entity for health and safety programs.

Authorizing $5 billion in general obligation bonds for highway projects
SJR 64 by Carona
Effective if approved by voters at the November 6, 2007, election
SJR 64 would add Texas Constitution, Art. 3, sec. 49-p to allow the Legislature to authorize the Texas Transportation Commission (TTC) or its successor to issue state general obligation bonds in a total amount no greater than $5 billion for highway improvement projects.

Capitol Annex: "Pena Deserves, and Has Earned, Another Term"

2007-09-05T08:31:00.000-07:00

HD40: MAKE NO MISTAKE, PENA'S RUNNING

State Rep. Aaron Pena (D-Edinburg) is preparing for a vigorous campaign season following the Labor Day holiday, he notes over at his blog:

With each session the voice of this community grows and yet the best is yet to come. I committed myself years ago to the service of this community. And although others may seek to cloud my intentions, make no mistake I am seeking re-election to the Texas House of Representatives.

I hope this post makes matters clear. I welcome all challengers.

Some of the clouding Pena’s referring to probably stems from some talk late in the session that he might decide to retire. However, almost right after that came out and he acknowledged he had considered it, he announced he’d seek another term.

As far as challengers go, we’ve heard a couple of rumors here and there. Pena’s vote to support House Speaker Tom Craddick (R-Midland) is probably what is drawing the challengers out.

But, as we’ve said time and time again, primary challenges to some of the so-called “Craddick Democrats” should be considered carefully; that a Democrat voted for Craddick (as much as we certainly don’t like Speaker Craddick’s tactics) at the start of the 80th Session should by no means be the sole factor upon which a challenge hinges on. Indeed, it is a narrow tightrope to navigate.

Pena, in particular, is a very effective legislator for his district. Search around his blog and you can see some of the improvements he’s helped bring to the Rio Grande Valley. Other Democrats who cast votes for Craddick are criticized for a variety of reasons like inaccessibility, being inactive in their communities, and ineffectiveness. Pena’s none of those.

Too, these Valley districts aren’t like a San Antonio or Dallas or Houston district. The Valley, while still predominantly Latino and Democratic, is more conservative in its voting than it used to be. In particular, in the last generation there has been a major rise of an “upper middle class” and “middle class” in a region that was once predominantly two economic classes: rich and poor (with far more people in the latter than the former).

Pena, by far, is the best situated legislator among the “Craddick D’s” to withstand a primary challenger. Aside from the vote on the speaker’s race, his voting record is very much in line with the beliefs of his constituents. While we may not agree with every vote, it’s probably safe to say that his voting record is very much in harmony with that of his constituents’ beliefs.

There are a number of the “Craddick D’s” we could support a challenger for, should credible challengers emerge. However, Pena’s not one of them.

It’s no secret that we here at Capitol Annex are progressive, liberal, and left leaning in all respects with regard to our politics.

However, we’re also realists. In districts that are “centrist,” running out elected officials who are not as liberal as we may be simply isn’t a good strategy for Democrats right now. Now, in districts where a less-than-liberal or “centrist” Representative is clearly not reflective of his or her constituents beliefs, that’s another matter.

Furthermore, Pena has carried some pretty progressive legislation: voter verified paper trail bills, the Shield Law, legislation to strengthen the requirements for attorneys in capital cases, legislation that does more to ensure that the mentally incompetent are treated fairly in capital cases, and exemption of college textbooks from sales tax. And that’s only in the session just completed.

We’ve said it time and time again, and we’ll say it again: not every so-called “Craddick D” needs to be or should be “primaried.” In some instances, the “eating our own” strategy will backfire.

Pena deserves, and has earned, another term in the Legislature.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Written by Vince Leibowitz
Capitol Annex

The Border Wall - “La Lomita Chapel Speech"

2007-08-26T18:06:00.000-07:00

“La Lomita Chapel Speech"

Saturday, August 25, 2007

Remarks of Representative Aaron Peña
Mission, Texas on the banks of the Rio Grande River

I want to thank everybody who organized this event. This is a wonderful, a wonderful opportunity for us to send a message to Washington and to the rest of the community that we’re united in our opposition to this wall.

It is a scar across our community and it does no one any good - our relatives, our family members, our friends, and our business partners. They all - we - need to maintain our relationship with them.

And it is particularly important; it is particularly appropriate, that we have this gathering here at La Lomita Chapel. I did a little background on the chapel. And what I came to find out is that a French merchant once owned this land. And when he willed it upon his death to the Oblate priests, the specific language of the will said that the purpose of the land was for the propagation of the faith amongst the barbarians… (Laughter) …not the priests… I guess they were talking about us…

But, today it is we the children of those teachings and this community who will remind the world of the principles of that faith and raise the question of who are the real barbarians.

This chapel is a symbol of the endurance of this community and a symbol of our values and our faith. Interestingly enough in a few days this country on Sept. 17 will be celebrating a day called “I am an American Day” its now called “Constitution Day.” This day is supposed to focus on the rights and responsibilities of U.S. citizens. The choice of Sept. 17 is reflective of the fact that on that day the U.S. Constitution was signed by the delegates.

Now one of the things I chose to remember as an American is that 20 percent of those signees were not from this country. They were actually born in another country. And if you were to look at their parents or grandparents that number even goes higher.

This country has from its very beginning been a symbol and a beacon of liberty; a symbol of a free and open society and unfortunately this wall does not serve those principles.

And so if we are going to stand here in the next couple of days and talk and be reminded of being an American, we need to remember as Americans, those moral and foundation principles. Those principles were deeply rooted in the religious traditions of our founders. Because those founders would be quick to remember that our Bible told us that the number one rule we are guided by is … love your neighbor as yourself. In fact the Bible more specifically says in speaking to Gods people… “that you shall not wrong or oppress a resident alien for you were once aliens in the land of Egypt”. So when our founders found this country, when our biblical writers wrote our religious traditions they found that we need to respect each other and to love one another. This wall does none of that.

Now unfortunately this is a symbol that is communicated not just here in our community not just in our country, but also around the world. The former President of Mexico called it “shameful”. The President of Argentina called it “offensive.” The Vatican condemned it has “inhumane.”

What makes the U.S.-Mexican wall so offensive is that it goes so far beyond what is reasonable in combating drugs, smuggling and terrorism. If anything it assists in the proliferation of some of those problems. It makes us look like a fearful people who no longer value liberty and relations with our business partners and our friendly neighbors.

In speaking of the Berlin wall, initially constructed on this month many years ago, Ronald Reagan called that wall, “a brutal division of a continent upon the mind of the world.” That’s what this fence would be; it’d be a scar across our community. It would be something that divided our friends, our business partners, our relatives and another country with whom we have good relations.

This country was founded upon ideals of freedom and opportunity. Unfortunately fencing sounds good to an electorate that is rightfully frustrated by more than a decade of failed immigration policies. The reality is that calling for a political fence provides a political smoke screen for a government that has been ineffective in finding solutions. In this place that reminds us of our foundations of our religious and political principles let us not allow fear to be our guiding light.

Historically you will see that from Hadrian’s Wall, to the Great Wall of China, to the Berlin Wall, to the Antonine Wall…all of them failed in their original purpose. The reality is, if people want to come over here to work or if we seek people to come over here to work, they are going to make it here. The reality is that one third of the unauthorized residents in this country do not climb over a wall, swim across a river, they simply over stay their visas.

A wall is unfortunately going to stop farmers and ranchers who need legitimate access to water.

Recently an Associated Press story, talked about the difficulties of maintaining the wall in San Diego. And unfortunately they have teams each and every day that go out to repair holes in the wall. Some estimate that over time the maintenance of the wall may reach the expense of constructing the wall. When it comes down to it the total cost of the fence is going to be as high as 8 to 7 billion dollars. This wall is nothing more but an 8 billion dollar, feel good, legislative hug that makes some people feel better but serves us no good.

This scar is symbolic of everything that is wrong from our world’s past. History tells us that that we have tried to create walls to contain our fears, to contain people that we saw as our enemies, but ultimately these failed. These people are our friends, our family, and our neighbors not our enemies. What is unfortunate is that these walls appear to be the manifestations of invisible walls that we are creating within ourselves in this country. We are distancing ourselves from our neighbors. The bottom line is that bad fences make bad neighbors.

Like our moral ancestor Joshua, who when he was confronted with the Jericho Wall he asked, if you remember your Biblical teachings, that everyone shout in one loud united voice to bring down that wall. So on this day, like our ancestor before us, we ask in one united voice -- Mr. President do not build this wall!

Thank you all very much.

Rep. Pena Recieves Texas Animal Humanitarian Award

2007-08-01T18:35:00.000-07:00

The Houston Chronicle reports on the props given to Rep. Aaron Pena for his role in breaking the impasse seen in previous legislative sessions on legislation against animal cruelty and dog fighting. The Texas Humane Legislation Network, a statewide organization that advocates on behalf of animal welfare agencies across Texas, gave him the award.

Border Security Bill Signed By The Governor In The Valley

2007-06-06T18:30:00.000-07:00

Governor Perry flanked by border sheriffs and border lawmakers signed the compromise Border Security Bill. The Texas governor stopped at the Hidalgo County Sheriff's Department office in Edinburg in the Rio Grande Valley for the bill signing. The Associated Press and The Monitor have the story.

2007-06-06T17:00:00.000-07:00

2007-06-05T20:40:00.000-07:00

Promise of $5 Million in RAHC Funding Closer to Success

2007-03-12T14:36:00.000-07:00

Austin - In February State Representative Aaron Peña filed legislation appropriating $5 million dollars in funding for the Regional Academic Health Center at the University of Texas Pan American. Today legislation was added to Article 3 of the state's biennial budget securing that amount. This session Pena made RAHC funding one of his top legislative priorities.

"Critical funding for the RAHC in Edinburg is one step closer to reality," said Representative Peña. "These $5 million dollars will help staff the facility with world-class researchers and scientists."

The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio administers the RAHC's medical education component in Harlingen and the medical research division in Edinburg. UTPA serves as a partner in providing faculty, administrative and research support for Edinburg's facility. Research areas may include the study of diabetes, emerging infectious diseases, aging, environmental health, mental health and other conditions that may affect residents in Deep South Texas. The $20 million dollar Edinburg campus houses 12 laboratories, state-of-the-art class room spaces and administrative offices.

Peña is serving his third term in the Texas House of Representatives. He is Chairman of the House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence and is a member of the House Committee on Ways and Means.

Austin American Statesman Editorial On The TYC Scandal

2007-03-03T21:13:00.000-08:00

AUSTIN AMERICAN STATESMAN
EDITORIAL BOARD

Sunday, March 04, 2007

There are two scandals at the Texas Youth Commission, one involving sexual abuse of minors by state employees, the other a devastating failure of state leadership.

The first, as found by a Texas Rangers' investigation in 2005, is that two supervisors at the commission's West Texas State School in Pyote, about 24 miles east of Pecos, were repeatedly having sex with teenage boys in their custody.

The other scandal is what didn't happen next.

After the Rangers' report, the assistant superintendent and the principal at West Texas State School resigned, but the local district attorney has yet to file charges.

And a subsequent TYC internal investigation found that members of the prison's staff had complained about possible abuse, to their own bosses and to officials in Austin, for more than a year — but nothing was done.

In a report by the American-Statesman's Mike Ward published Friday, we learn that some TYC officials in Austin appear to have altered the original version of the internal report to cover up their own inaction.

Only in the past week, with the Legislature in session, news of the Rangers' report getting out and a media spotlight shining bright, has a radical shake-up begun. By the end of last week, there were also reports of sexual abuse of teenagers held at TYC's Brownwood facility.

The disclosures raise horrifying questions: What else is going on at TYC that has been ignored or covered up? Who else in state government was told of the problems but looked the other way, and for how long?

The 4,800 or so youths, from age 10 to 21, held in TYC facilities and programs are no angels. They have committed crimes — including violent ones. But they won't be reformed by state-paid perverts and their enablers.

A six-member commission governs the youth agency and appoints its executive director. Gov. Rick Perry appointed all current commissioners.

The governor's staff said it first heard of the Rangers' investigation at Pyote in early 2005 but didn't realize until last November — after a House member started asking questions — that charges had never been filed. Perry finally acted last week, naming a new chairman and telling the commission to appoint a new acting executive director of his choice, which it did.

The Senate voted to go much further, by putting the agency into conservatorship, which would have meant dismissal of all commissioners and the appointment by the governor of a special master to run it. The governor, however, took the much lesser step of keeping his commissioners, appointing a special master to investigate the abuse and directing the new acting executive director to develop a rehabilitation plan.

The Senate is right, though. The commission's leadership — commissioners and senior management — is deeply compromised, even if some are individually blameless. Executive Director Dwight Harris abruptly resigned Feb. 23, and more departures might come soon. And Travis County District Attorney Ronnie Earle began investigating the commission, too.

Every large employer will occasionally and inadvertently make a bad hire. But at an agency responsible for holding youths, management has a profound moral responsibility to act swiftly on any suspicion of sexual contact between staff and those youths.

The state has failed those youths, and the Legislature must determine how and why.

The editorial found here.

Two Valley Lawmakers Appointed to Panel Looking Into TYC Scandals

2007-03-02T18:08:00.000-08:00

AUSTIN - Two Rio Grande Valley lawmakers have been appointed to a newly created Joint Select Committee to look into the scandal-ridden Texas Youth Commission.

Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, D-McAllen, and Rep. Aaron Peña, D-Edinburg, have long demanded action over the TYC’s troubled Evins Juvenile Detention Center in Edinburg.

On Friday, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and Speaker Tom Craddick announced that the Joint Select Committee would be charged with studying recent allegations of sexual abuse at certain facilities administered by the TYC.

The Austin American-Statesman reported Friday that an internal report on the abuse was sanitized to delete references that top agency officials. The Statesman said the officials were alerted to the abuse more than two years ago but did nothing.

“Like many Texans I am outraged at the culture of neglect and deceit that is seemingly apparent at the Texas Youth Commission,” Peña said.

“Since late 2005 when my office first received complaints out of the TYC's Evins unit we have exerted considerable pressure on administration officials to address allegations of abuse and neglect.”

Peña said that despite assurances that the problems at the Evins unit were isolated incidents “it is abundantly clear that there are systematic deficiencies that must be addressed.”

Peña said he would be demanding accountability for a system that “appears broken.”

Dewhurst said the Joint Select Committee would also examine the TYC’s policies and procedures, and make recommendations for how to improve its future oversight of youth being rehabilitated in these facilities.

”As leaders of this state, we will not tolerate abuse or cover up in any state agency,” Dewhurst said.

“Our recommendation of a conservatorship allows immediate action to hold those involved accountable, correct any problems that still exist within TYC and put in place measures to prevent further abuse of those in the state's custody and of the public trust.”

The committee will be co-chaired by Senator John Whitmire, D-Houston, chair of the Senate Criminal Justice Committee and Rep. Jerry Madden, R-Richardson, chair of the House Corrections Committee.

Along with Hinojosa, the Senate appointees are Houston Republican Chris Harris, Amarillo Republican Kel Seliger, Plano Republican Florence Shapiro, Dallas Democrat Royce West, and Tommy Williams, a Republican from The Woodlands.

Along with Peña, the House appointees are Houston Democrats Harold Dutton and Sylvester Turner, Sherman Republican Larry Phillips, and Houston Republicans Debbie Riddle and Corbin Van Arsdale.

“The disturbing allegations about certain activities at the Texas Youth Commission warranted the immediate creation of this committee,” Craddick said. “I trust that the committee members will thoroughly review the situation in the Texas Youth Commission and ensure this agency gets back to helping our troubled youth.”

The Legislative Audit Committee, a permanent standing joint committee headed by Dewhurst and Craddick, met Friday to examine the conduct and fiscal management at the TYC.

The committee voted unanimously to recommend that Gov. Rick Perry appoint a conservatorship. The LAC also gave Perry the option to use the state auditor’s office to formulate a rehabilitation plan for the agency.

Perry immediately utilized the new tools and appointed Jay Kimbrough as Special Master of the TYC.

Kimbrough, who will report directly to Perry, will lead a commission-wide investigation of TYC policies and procedures, reports of failures and wrong-doings by commission staff and specific instances of abuse.

Perry said Acting Executive Director Ed Owens, who took office on Thursday, will be responsible for developing a comprehensive Rehabilitation Plan in consultation with the State Auditor that corrects the failures identified by Kimbrough’s investigation.

“I welcome the additional authority provided by the legislature because it will empower the state to more swiftly identify and fix the pervasive problems at the Youth Commission,” Perry said.

“With a Special Master, the state will aggressively investigate reports of abuse and hold people accountable for their actions. And we will develop a long-term plan that will rebuild this broken agency from the ground up, and refocus it on its mission of rehabilitating young Texans.”

Perry said there was "no one better" to lead the transformation than Kimbrough and Owens.

Also Friday, Travis County District Attorney Ronnie Earle announced his office would begin an investigation into allegations of wrongdoing by officials with the TYC in Austin.

“It has been reported that documents relating to TYC officials in Austin and their handling of allegations of sexual misconduct at a TYC facility in West Texas were altered at TYC headquarters in Austin,” Earle said, in a statement.

“The allegations of sexual misconduct must be prosecuted in the county where the conduct allegedly occurred, but the allegations of altered records at TYC headquarters, if true, are within the jurisdiction and venue of this office.”

TYC Chairman Pete Alfaro was fired by Perry earlier this week, while the agency’s Executive Director Dwight Harris resigned two weeks ago.

Problems at the Evins unit were first made public in 2005, with guards saying they feared for their safety. Alfaro and Harris appeared before a Senate Criminal Justice Committee hearing in McAllen last August.

“Unfortunately, we’ve had incidents for which we are not proud,” Alfaro said, at the McAllen hearing. “You're familiar with the past abuse cases at the Evins facility here in the Valley and at other locations. I'm here to report that those incidents of abuse at Texas Youth Commission are the exception.”

Rep. Jim Dunnam, D-Waco, said Friday’s actions by the LAC did not go far enough.

“We need to do more than send accountants from the State Auditor's Office to an Austin TYC office - we need to take real action immediately to protect the victims in the TYC schools across the state,” Dunnam said.

“This scandal is not about dollars and cents; it is about sick abuse of troubled children and a government cover-up.”

Dunnam filed legislation – HB 2340 - Friday that would place the TYC into a conservatorship immediately.

He said he applauded the senators on LAC for strongly recommending the conservatorship but was disappointed that the House members gave Perry a “watered down” alternative.

“We need to take immediate steps to create statutorily a conservatorship for the agency, provide for immediate law enforcement assistance through the Texas Rangers and establish a DPS hotline for confidential tips,” Dunnam said.

“The Senate voted 31 to 0 along these lines, and we hope the full House has the opportunity to act on Monday to protect the children of this state.”

Rep. Tommy Merritt, R-Longview, a former federal law enforcement official, has agreed to joint author HB 2340.

Legislation filed by Hinojosa would require TYC to provide 300 hours of training to guards before they begin duties at state facilities, increase staffing to at least one guard for every 12 youths in each facility, and prohibit the current practice of housing youth as young as 11 and 12 with those as old as 19.

SB 103 would also authorize the Texas Rangers to make monthly unannounced visits to facilities and submit reports to the state’s Sunset Commission for inclusion in TYC's review evaluations.

In addition, SB 103 would create a criminal investigations unit, reporting to TYC’s board of directors instead of the agency’s executive director. The investigators would be commissioned peace officers who would investigate criminal acts among TYC youth, guards, and other commission employees.

Courtesy of the Rio Grande Guardian.

Gov. Rick Perry's Inaugural Address

2007-01-16T14:15:00.000-08:00

Lieutenant Governor Dewhurst, Speaker Craddick, Chief Justice Jefferson, members of the Legislature, my fellow Texans: the oath that I have taken this morning confers upon me not only a public office, but a public trust. I accept it with humility, knowing to whom much is given much is expected in return.

Texas has given me more than I could ever give back. It was here that I discovered life and met my first love: the First Lady of Texas, Anita Perry. Had we not served one day in office we would feel eternally blessed because of the gift of two wonderful children: Griffin and Sydney.

I am also glad to be joined by two Texans that raised me in a home filled with love, and who taught me the value of respecting everyone: My parents, Ray and Amelia Perry. Mom and dad, how can I sum up more than five decades of love and sacrifice but to say thank you, and I love you.

As a state that has always proudly rolled out the welcome mat, please join me in giving a Texas-sized reception to four special guests from Mexico, Governor Gonzalez of Nuevo Leon, Governor Hernandez of Tamaulipas, Governor Herrera of Vera Cruz, and Governor Garcia of Zacatecas.

As we gather today, there is great reason for optimism in Texas. We have a record budget surplus, jobs are at an all-time high, children’s test scores are improving, home and medical insurance costs are decreasing, school finance is out of the courts and school property tax rates are on the way down. On top of that, the Aggie basketball team is ranked in the top ten in the nation. Apparently, hell has frozen over.

I don’t mention these successes to downplay our great challenges, but because they stand in great contrast to uncertain events across the world.

We are now in an era of great global anxiety. Two conflicts on Israel’s border, and one in Iraq, threaten the stability of the entire Middle East, as well as the safety of America’s bravest men and women.

Our greatest threat is no longer a Cold War enemy that advances a Godless ideology, but fanatics that kill the innocent and themselves in the name of a Higher Power. Rogue states and terror cells have made nuclear proliferation a greater threat, and leaders in Europe and Latin America have risen to power and popularity based on anti-American appeals.

We face not only a war on terror, but a war on drugs that brings violence to our border and carnage to millions of American families.

The 21st Century has begun with no shortage of human suffering. New treatments for the American victims of AIDS have seemingly insulated us from rampant suffering on two continents: Asia and Africa.

And an even more insidious disease, human hatred, has claimed many more lives, infecting tribes, ethnic groups and nations that commit genocide in places like the Sudan while much of the world stands idly by.

We cannot ignore the challenges beyond our borders any more than we can the problems we face at home, whether it is poverty in Mexico, hopelessness in Africa or homelessness in Austin.

It is this perspective that shapes my view on immigration. We are both a nation of laws and immigrants; the former protect us, the latter enrich us.

Every nation has a sovereign right to control its borders. Our porous international border is one of the greatest threats to this nation’s security. Securing our border is more complex, however, than building a border-wide barrier.

Strategic fencing makes sense in densely populated areas, but a comprehensive border security solution requires additional manpower and the use of technology. We have shown Washington what works. With Operation Rio Grande, we have increased patrols, cut off common illegal crossings, and reduced crime in sheriff-patrolled areas by 60 percent during intensive surge operations.

I believe we can secure the border without compromising our economy, and we can implement a guest worker program without compromising our security.

Illegal immigration drains the resources of our schools, our hospitals and our law enforcement agencies. But I do not believe it is realistic to deport 12 million people already here illegally. We have to understand why millions of people come here, and why many more have died trying, it is for something as basic as the freedom to find a job and feed their families.

I know illegal immigration and border security are polarizing issues. To those on both sides of the issue, I simply make one request based on the words of the prophet Isaiah: “come now, and let us reason together.” Let us choose to sit down together and be a part of the solution rather than a source of division.

I start from this premise: we must secure the border with manpower, not unmanned walls. We must have a guest-worker program that recognizes the economic contributions of foreign workers and the desperate conditions that bring them here. And we must oppose amnesty because those who come here illegally should not be able to receive citizenship ahead of those who migrate here legally.

My vision for Texas is a tremendous tapestry of diversity woven together by common threads. We are of many faiths, traditions, heritages, but we are all Texans. And in Texas, it is not your identity that matters most, but your ideals.

There are no black, white, Asian or Hispanic dreams. Take away what’s on the outside, and you see a common thread on the inside, the human desire to live a life of meaning, purpose and fulfillment.

And even when we disagree, we can engage our differences in a discussion that unifies rather than divides, that lifts up the hopes, dreams and aspirations of all people without casting a single soul aside.

For much of the world, age-old conflicts derive from differences of tribe and tongue. It produces a cycle of violence that never seems to end. Yet, here we are, as diverse a people as any state in the union, and we share a bond that is much deeper than what could ever divide us, our common bond as Texans.

It’s not that we have a history of solidarity. 140 years ago a segment of our people was enslaved and considered less than equal. But we are overcoming past prejudice for the sake of the common good.

On this stage is the descendent of a slave who was once sold as property on the steps of a Central Texas courthouse. Today, Wallace Jefferson walks up the steps of our highest civil court in Texas, not only a peer among nine equals, but as our chief justice.

I believe hatreds that are centuries old can be extinguished by one courageous generation. If hatred is something that can be taught, then so can the greatest attributes of any society: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” As the Apostle Paul wrote, “against such there is no law.”

We are a nation of great ideals, the greatest of which is the belief that all men and women were born to be free. For freedom to work, we must all be committed to another important ideal, “that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights.”

I don’t believe in prescribing equal outcomes, but I do believe in preserving equal opportunities.

And I also believe no great society can be built, or maintained, if we cultivate in our children the vanity of self rather than the virtue of selflessness.

Young Texans must never be taught about rights without also learning about responsibilities. Only when we embrace the responsibilities of a free society can we achieve the greater social good.

As a society, we have a responsibility to those who languish in poverty, to empower them with the tools needed to live a life of self-sufficiency. We have a responsibility to the most vulnerable among us, the young and the aged, those who are sick and those who live with disabilities, and that is to protect them, nurture them and empower them to overcome all obstacles. And we have a responsibility to future generations, to leave them a world that is safe, an environment that is healthy, an economy that is strong and a government that is honest.

But we must not proclaim the responsibilities of a free society and ignore the responsibilities of free individuals.

For more than a generation our culture has emphasized a message of self-indulgence at the expense of social obligation. We have reaped the consequences in the form of teen pregnancies, divorced and broken families, and a cycle of incarceration that joins young men with their fathers behind bars.

The fabric of our society is not government or individual freedom, it is the family. And the demise of the family is the demise of any great society.

Past generations have not fought and died so that children would have the freedom to gun down other children. No, they didn’t die so that parents would have the freedom to starve their babies so they could spend their last dime on the next drug-induced high. And no, they didn’t die so that video games, television and the Internet could raise our children instead of two loving parents.

We must never mistake freedom for license; one is a right, the other leads to bondage.

While there are limits to what government can accomplish, there are some things it must do. When a child is born into an abusive home, government must intervene and provide safe sanctuary. When a child is sent to a school that doesn’t educate them, government must demand change, not defend the status quo. And when a child goes down the wrong path because they have no one to look up to, they must not only learn about sobering consequences, but life-redeeming second chances.

There is nothing so powerful as the testimony of a changed life and a redeemed soul. Without forgiveness and compassion, there can be no redemption. And where would sinners like me be if there weren’t?

There were times in my life when the only solace I could find was the quiet outdoors where I could wrestle with my thoughts and talk to God. It was then that I asked the pointed questions: what exactly am I doing with my life, and what does it all mean?

Over the last 30 years, because of the grace of God, I have learned my purpose. It is not to build a majority political party, nor to hold power for the sake of holding power, it is to build a Texas of limitless possibility. And it starts with our children.

Imagine the possibilities in a Texas where every child is educated, every graduate has access to a good job, every life deemed precious.

Imagine the possibilities in a Texas blind to color, class and ethnicity, where no one is invalidated because of their heritage, but valued because of their humanity.

Imagine the possibilities in a Texas where every man, woman and child is able to put behind the past, to grab hold of their promise, to press on to be who they were created to be.

We have our differences. But, we cannot bridge those differences as long as we live in the past. Reconciliation requires forgiveness and a forward-looking spirit.

Texas is better off when Republicans and Democrats work together. Our potential is too vast to be spoiled by a politics leavened with partisanship. There is so much we must do together.

Together, we must work to make our border more secure and our neighborhoods safer.

Together, we must find solutions to the high rate of the uninsured and to the high cost of health insurance.

Together, we must commit to excellence in higher education as it prepares the workforce of the future.

Together, we must ensure that property tax relief is not only substantial, but long-lasting.

Together, we must pass budget reforms that protect the taxpayers.

And together, we must engage in a debate and a dialogue characterized by civility and consensus.

We have come together before to solve the greatest of problems. A little more than a year ago, when hundreds of thousands of our neighbors and fellow Texans suffered through two devastating natural disasters, Texans showed the power of example and the power of our ideals. With open arms we embraced those with nothing but the shirts on their backs. We opened our homes and houses of worship, our convention centers and our modern day coliseums.

We nursed the sick, we fed the hungry, we housed the homeless. For every first responder there were many more volunteers. And the world saw in us, for that brief moment in time, what it means to reach beyond the comfort of our own existence to aid the least among us.

They saw the concern of the Good Samaritan, with neighbor helping neighbor.

What they saw, in short, was the Texas we know and aspire to every day.

If we live lives of selfless sacrifice and love, the meaning of our lives reaches beyond the grave and transcends space and time to leave an enduring mark of eternal goodness.

I wish from this grand stage our government might be so noble, so compassionate, so visionary as the highest aspirations of our people. That we might surrender to causes greater than self, that we might give voice to the voiceless, and hope to those yet born. And that we might use this great opportunity, just this one chance, to do that which endures forever.

The world is watching. Once again, let’s show them what it means to live with one another, to love one another and to be Texans.

And So It Begins ....

2007-01-09T10:00:00.000-08:00

The 80th Regular Legislative Session Nears

2007-01-04T22:01:00.000-08:00

Sekula Library Nearing Completion

2007-01-02T22:56:00.000-08:00

I am pleased to see the Sekula Memorial Library coming along in Edinburg. Hopefully we can have some more information on a grand opening soon.

Immigrant Soldiers Serve The U.S.

2006-11-28T03:46:00.000-08:00

The image and the memory still haunts me, the memory of a poor immigrant mother wracked by pain, burying her young immigrant son who gave the ultimate sacrifice in service to the United States.

"Juan wanted to be a brain surgeon. As we viewed his life on a video showing clips of his life, it looked like he would have made it. He came so far. Juan was born in Reynosa, Mexico and from his humble beginnings, raised the hopes and dreams of his family. That's only a memory now, as I watch his family cry over his coffin. I pray that Juan's family finds some way to make sense of what has happened."

All this at a time when many in the United States joined the national chorus of disdain for a class of people like the deceased soldier and his grieving mother. Would those so quick to take offense at the effect immigrants have on our society be as quick to similarly send their child to the killing fields of Iraq?

Juan is gone now. Undoubtedly his family will endure. Like so many other immigrant families theirs is a struggle for survival against all odds. They no doubt must be aware of this country's growing anti-immigrant sentiment. Yet despite the ease that some in this country have in spewing forth hatred for people like this family, few critics will fully appreciate the sacrifice and contribution this small immigrant family gave to so many Americans.

May God grant us greater understanding and compassion to see their sacrifice.

David McLemore of the The Dallas Morning News carries a story of the young immigrant soldiers and their contribution to this country's war effort.

ENHS 2

2006-10-03T20:36:00.000-07:00

ENHS 1

2006-10-03T20:10:00.000-07:00

A September 11 Memoriam

2006-09-11T08:00:00.000-07:00

2006-08-21T16:58:00.000-07:00

Commencement Speaker, Mayor Joe Ochoa and UTPA President Blandina Cardenas

(Photos by the Office of University Relations, Univ. of Texas - Pan American)

Rep. Aaron Peña: UTPA Commencement Address

2006-08-21T15:00:00.000-07:00

"Voices In Our Blood"

Aaron Peña Jr.
Texas State Representative

Commencement Remarks
The University of Texas-Pan American

Edinburg, Texas
9 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 19, 2006

Thank you President Cardenas, members of the faculty, distinguished guests, proud and relieved parents, friends, family members, and -- most importantly, to the outstanding Class of 2006.

Thank you. It's great to be at The University of Texas-Pan American!

I especially want to thank you the graduating class for inviting me. It's good to be back.

When I was invited to speak, I had just one concern – that some former professor would grab me and tell me that there is an exam or course I forgot to take and that I had not graduated.

My memories of Pan American can be summed up in one word – struggle.

I was the kid who was last to turn in his test. I was the kid that took classes over and over again until I got it right. I was the kid, quite frankly, on the 8 year graduation plan. If there was a least likely to succeed award – I was it!

I was lucky because I had great teachers. So they pushed, prodded, challenged and eventually molded me into something useful. At that time, there is nothing that drove me more than the thought of finishing, of making it to this – Graduation Day. I am glad I could join you on this special day and I am privileged to have the opportunity to extend my congratulations to you.

This is a day that you will always remember. So take a moment and enjoy it. You've earned it.

All the late nights in the library and the long hours studying and struggling have finally paid off. You have succeeded in achieving a goal that so few have accomplished. Today the future seems limitless and brighter horizons await you. Congratulations!

But let us take a moment to recognize those who were your first teachers, those who made you the focus of their lives, those who themselves have struggled with you at every turn. From diapers to diplomas they remained a constant in your lives. At this very moment they wonder how their baby grew up so fast and today is able to fill them with such pride.

Right now they are struggling to contain their hearts from bursting with joy. You have made them so very happy. Students, faculty, guests let us all give a rousing applause to the real heroes of this day – the parents.

More than any other influence they, and the dreams they carry, have helped make you what you are today and what you might become tomorrow.

Now if you want to be a further success in their eyes, your parents have all asked me to inform you that it is your responsibility to pay off your student loans. One more thing, they need you out of the house by the end of the week because they need the space – and it's their turn to start living.

I have to say that I'm pretty humbled to be here. This commencement marks the first time in over a decade that this university is compelled by growth to have a summer graduation ceremony.

More than that – the promising statistic that should awaken a nation - is that nearly 70% of you are the first generation in your family to attain a college degree. As some in this country take a misdirected and regrettable course of fear of everything that is foreign, of everything that is different, here in this room lies the reality and promise of our shared future.

It is the stuff of dreams coupled with the power of an education!

The phenomenal growth and increase in the number of graduates coming from The University of Texas-Pan American is not only a testament to the hard work of this institution's faculty and it's leaders it is also a testament to the struggles and success of our parents and those that came before us.

And so it is there that I first look to find the wisdom that will carry you past the obstacles of life.

In addition to the great education this wonderful institution provided you, the timeless values of our parents, our ancestors, and our community will provide the framework upon which such knowledge will grow.

HARD WORK, DETERMINATION, FAITH, FAMILY and SACRIFICE ... these are the values that have served our people through the ages.

You didn't need a formal education to learn these values; we knew them instinctively by watching your parents and grandparents. These values flow through you like the blood that flows though your body.

Now more than ever before, we must learn to listen to the voices in our blood.

My grandfather, like so many others, came to this country with nothing more than a second grade education. He picked oranges and worked in the sweltering fields of South Texas, barely making a living to support my father and the remainder of his family. But in his veins flowed powerful stuff - these values and the dreams of a better tomorrow.

In the end that hope came through the education of his children.

One of my favorite stories from history is the story of the Frederick Douglass. As a child born into slavery, he was separated from his mother at six and by law, punishable by death, was kept from an education. Douglass eventually learned the alphabet and the basics of reading by listening to his master's wife recite the bible to her child.

He went on to learn to read and write and become one of this nation's strongest voices against slavery. Slavery ended, in part, because a woman taught a small child to read. From such small beginnings and yet history was changed when you coupled a dream with an education.

Think for a moment of the struggles of our own parents and our grandparents. At times, I imagine a conversation between my grandparents before coming to this country. They came with nothing to their name but the clothing they were wearing and the dream for a better future.

No skills, no education, no family in the new country. They did not speak a word of English. Yet they were willing to work and more importantly determined to see that their children lived a better life and received an education.

I am glad to say that my grandfather, like your parents today, saw his dream fulfilled - two of his children graduated from college and became superintendents of schools here in South Texas. Another went on to become one of the early Mexican-American lawyers in this state.

Sir Isaac Newton was once asked, to what did he attributes his great success, his response is as true today as it was then. He said –"If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants."

We are the lucky ones. When we confront obstacles and think life is tough, we should learn a lesson from their lives.

"With great power comes great responsibilities" – such is the quote from one of this generations popular films. I would ask that you accept this truth.

On behalf of your parents and this community, I would ask that you accept the responsibility of our future. Yes, we all want to see you go out and make a comfortable living. This is an important aspect of life, but you must remember –"You don't make a living by what you get, you make a living by what you give."

Let me give you a short cut on your journey, after you get your new job, buy yourself a new car, buy you a nice house in one of the nicer subdivisions, somewhere along the road you will realize that objects do not buy you happiness. Happiness is found in giving to others.

At a time when the country's obsession with the glamour of wealth continues to grow this task will be challenging. Consider the woman that changed a nation by teaching a slave child to read. It is service to your fellow man that will change the world and give you life fulfilling purpose.

Find your purpose in life. Reach back and help others on their journey. Help those least likely to care for themselves – the sick, the elderly, children afflicted by drug addiction. Remember that "A man never stands as tall as when he kneels to help a child." There are so many from our community that need that help.

Be bold and change a nation. What you are, our state and nation will be. You have an absolutely idealistic opportunity to change the world for the better.

Learn to think outside yourself; learn to think outside your city, your state and your country. We now live in a global economy and share global responsibilities. Continued change is inevitable. We can react with fear and distrust of others as some suggest. We can build walls and fear our neighbors or anyone who is different.

We can deny that we are responsible for world problems – disease, poverty or responsibility for our environment or we can embrace the challenge and accept our place in this world.

One of our country's greatest strengths is in the diversity of its people. We can not allow our darker fears to control the destiny of this nation. We must act on love, intelligence and mutual respect of ourselves and our neighbors.

As President John F. Kennedy once told us, "For, in the final analysis, our most basic common link is that we all inhabit this small planet. We all breathe the same air. We all cherish our children's future. And we are all mortal."

Lastly, never give up. Never, never, never give up!

I stand before you, not because I was the smartest guy in school - because I was not. I stand before you, not because I had the best grades in my class - because I did not. I stand before you, not because I was the most popular - that I was not. Anything I have came from the lessons of perseverance that I witnessed everyday from my parents and grandparents.

Be willing to make mistakes – learn from them – embrace them – but never give up. Look around you the person most proud of you today and you will find out that is their greatest gift.

And now, in closing, on behalf of the many people who have brought you to this place, let me ask you to be true to who you are.

You are blessed with the simple values of a determined people that have overcome great obstacles. Our hopes, our faith and our love travel with you. Continue dreaming big dreams.

Find purpose in the service to others. Learn from our struggles. This world will undoubtedly test you. If you are willing to take risk and willing never to give up, success will surely be your own.

Thank you so very much Class of 2006, congratulations on your graduation.

May God Speed You On Your Journey!

Senator Leticia Van De Putte

2006-08-11T17:47:00.000-07:00

Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr.

2006-08-11T17:34:00.000-07:00

Kingsville Mayor Sam Fugate

2006-08-10T22:03:00.000-07:00

Congressman Solomon Ortiz

2006-08-10T21:23:00.000-07:00

Texas Speaker Tom Craddick At Ribbon Cutting

2006-08-10T20:40:00.000-07:00

Happy Fourth of July

2006-07-04T16:06:00.000-07:00

More Fourth of July Photos

2006-07-04T16:05:00.000-07:00

Even More Parade Photos

2006-07-04T04:04:00.000-07:00

2006-03-26T19:26:00.000-08:00

2006-01-01T10:04:00.000-08:00

Dirge

SPECIAL SESSION ON THE WAY!

2005-06-16T20:16:00.000-07:00

If there is one question that nearly every individual confronts me with as I go about my civilian life during these dog days of summer it is: Do you think there will be a special session?

My answer is always, yes. Too many things need to be done that were left undone!School finance is the big one I agree, but there are also a number of other items, like tuition revenue bonds for growing universities like UT-PA for example, that were left on the table uncompleted.

It will be these smaller items, continued negotiations, plus other political considerations that I won't expand upon at this time, that will be the impetus for a special session. I am still standing by my earlier prediction of a special session at the end of this month.

Will a solution be reached on school finance during the foretold special session? Not if history is any judge of success. Remember people who weren't exactly political lightweights like George Bush and Bob Bullock have all been down this road before. With regards to education, Texas has unfortunately been guided by court decision to get it moving.

This representative is ready to give it a go! Here is the answer in a nutshell: Texas needs to support a high quality public school system. All Texans should have equal access to a high quality education.

Texas politicians have not historically supported either because they are afraid to make tough political choices because they think Texans are unwilling to make the sacrifices necessary to achieve that goal. Polls will tell you that this is false, Texans value a quality education for their children over all else.

It is the political figures who are unwilling to exhibit leadership on this issue not the average Texan.I for one am ready, I know what I need to know. Texans shouldn't depend on court's to manage their state.

Come on Governor, pull the trigger, let's give it a go!

LATE NOTE: The Quorum Report has late this night confirmed from a reliable source that special session is imminent, possibly Tuesday.

REP. CARLOS URESTI: LEGISLATORS WORK

2005-05-24T16:53:00.000-07:00

The Wednesday editorial "Legislators play too much" suggested the frantic pace of the final few weeks of the legislative session is because of legislators taking unnecessary long weekends.

The fact is that, regardless of the number of "long weekends" the Legislature takes, this time of the session is always a race against the clock.

To give some perspective, the Texas Constitution grants us only five months every two years to conduct all the legislative business of a state with the world's eighth-largest economy and the third-highest population in the United States.

The Legislature's volume of work has increased steadily each session during the past several decades. This 79th Session, more than 5,000 bills were filed in the House of Representatives and Senate. The fast-growing, complex and diverse nature of Texas puts our Legislature to the test each biennium. This session is no exception.

The "long weekends" serve important purposes for legislators, many of whom travel considerable distances each week between their home districts and Austin. Long weekends allow me to return to my home district to deal with the concerns of constituents while the Legislature is in session and laws are being made.

Most legislators use an extra Friday to keep up with the needs of their district in person. From personal experience, I can truthfully say long weekends during the session are rarely spent on anything other than meeting constituents, maintaining my law practice or attending meetings in the district.

It also bears mentioning that the Texas Legislature is fairly unique among the 50 states. Our legislators serve in a part-time body that pays members less than the equivalent of minimum wage. For example, a legislator who puts in an 80-hour workweek, as we did recently, receives less than $2 per hour. That means legislators do not serve their fellow Texans as a career, but rather as a calling.

That also means legislators must continue their own careers even while the Legislature is in session. Occasional long weekends during the session allow us to keep our careers, businesses and practices in operation while we take care of the business of the people of Texas.

Finally, like most Texans, legislators have families and responsibilities that do not cease when we head to Austin every two years. One state representative recently had her first child while serving her first term as a legislator, and many others have infants and young children whose demands for attention do not cease when session begins.

Lawmakers make many sacrifices to serve their districts and state, but I am convinced most Texans would not ask them to sacrifice a few days during the session to return home to celebrate Easter weekend, their wife's birthday or attend a movie with their children.

Criticizing the Legislature is the right of every Texan, and some criticisms are well-founded. However, the public is not well-served when the media inaccurately represent a common-sense provision of longer weekends during the earlier part of the legislative session.

As the session moves toward its end, long weekends are uncommon and extremely long hours are the norm. Recently, for example, many legislators clocked more than 80 hours against strict deadlines on behalf of their constituents. Legislators serving on committees routinely spend even longer hours at the Capitol, often leaving their offices not long before the sun rises on another day.

The long weekends criticized by the editorial provide an important opportunity for representatives of the people to stay in touch with their communities, maintain their businesses and play active roles in their families while conducting the business of the public — in Austin and back home in the districts that elect them.

State Rep. Carlos I. Uresti, D-San Antonio, represents District 118 in the Texas House.

FACE OF TUTANKHAMUN RECONSTRUCTED

2005-05-10T22:17:00.000-07:00

The French team created the image of the young king. Scientists have carried out the first ever facial reconstructions of Egypt's most famous ancient king, Tutankhamun.

Three teams of forensic artists - French, Egyptian and American - built separate but similar models of the king's face using scans of his skull.The French and Egyptians knew who they were recreating, but the Americans were not told where the skull came from.

The models of the boy king, who died 3,300 years ago, reveal a young man with plump cheeks and a round chin.

The BBC story has a photo of a model of the young king as reconstructed.

REP. PEÑA: A FINAL FAREWELL TO A FRIEND

2005-05-10T12:30:00.000-07:00

It has been painfull to experience another loss. The good die young and we are left wondering- why? Today marks our final farewell to our friend Joe.

Our comfort lies in knowing that death is certain to us all; the only question is as to when. It is what we do with the time we are given that defines us. Did we choose to serve others and in turn choose to serve our God? I take comfort in knowing that Rep. Joe Moreno served God in the attention he gave to the least amongst us.

Death be not proud for The Book of Wisdom (Wisdom 4;7) has made it plain:

"The just man, though he die early, shall be at rest. For the age that is honorable comes not with the passing of time, nor can it be measured in terms of years. He pleased God and was loved and being made perfect in a short while he reached the fullness of a long career."

"For they shall see the end of the wise and just man, and shall not understand what God hath designed for him, and why the Lord hath set him in safety."

Be at rest my friend; until we meet again.

JOE DESHOTEL

2005-05-09T13:38:00.000-07:00

Joe Moreno was one of a kind. I don't know anyone that did not like him the first time they met him. I remember one night he and Tommy Merrit called me at 11:30pm. They were passing through Beaumont headed to the Isle of Capri in Lake Charles. About mid-night the arrived at my house in Tommy's big customized tour bus and talked my wife and I to go with them. I don't know any one other than Joe that could have gotten us to go. Joe told me last Wed that he would be coming by my house after session when he planed to go to Beaumont to buy a new Harley Davidson from Cowboy Harley. Joe was a good man and I will miss him greatly.

REP. RICHARD RAYMOND: REP. JOE MORENO

2005-05-09T12:17:00.000-07:00

When I heard about Joe's passing, I cried. On a daily basis, we go about our business and do all the things we think are important at the time. Once in a while, God gives us a reality check -- and sometimes it is extremely unpleasant. I pray each night and I accept God's will, but it's not always easy.

Joe Moreno was a good guy -- plain and simple. If you knew him, you know what I'm talking about. Joe really cared about what was going on around him and tried to improve things. Just writing this makes me upset all over again.

We lost a good one. More importantly, his parents have suffered a great loss that no parent should have to experience. I hope we are all praying Joe and his family. May God bless them.

REP. JUAN M. ESCOBAR

2005-05-09T11:39:00.000-07:00

The death of Joe Moreno is very tragic for several reasons. Joe was indeed a friend to all who knew him. He lived life to it's fullest and believed in a fair political process. The first time I met Joe was when I got sworn into office and he came up to me and told me "Juan, my name is Joe Moreno, from Houston, and if I can do anything for you let me know." I could always walk up to him and ask him for advise. At the conclusion of our conversations he would always say "Don't worry about it Bro."

I remember Thursday afternoon, the day before he died. I went into the members lounge and he was sitting with other members eating Kentucky Fried Chicken. He extended his fist and in the usual manner and gave me a fist handshake. He than said "get a plate and eat." I did so and after eating I went up to him and in my usual manner, I hit him on his shoulder and said "See you." That was the last time I saw him.

Joe Moreno served his constituents well ,and not only has his family lost a loved one, but the State of Texas has also lost a great servant of the people.

Juan M. Escobar

FLOOR STATEMENT BY REP. RAFAEL ANCHIA

2005-05-09T11:22:00.000-07:00

Mr. Speaker and members...

Marissa and I want to thank all of you for your prayers, calls and visits during the last few days. For those of you I have been unable to contact, I want to let you know I am OK.

We also want to offer our thanks to those persons who helped us on Friday morning, including Trooper Moore from DPS, the members of the Fayette County EMS, the crew of Star Flight and the staff at Brackenridge Hospital.

Special thanks go to Rod Welsh, Tim Flynn and Nancy Fisher.

And finally, we want to thank Speaker and Nadine Craddick for their generosity and comfort during this difficult time.

Mr. Speaker and members please continue to pray for Monica Piñon as she recovers from her injuries. Please also keep the family of our friend Joe Moreno in your prayers.

In the difficulty of the last few days, i can only come to one conclusion that provides me with any solace. It is the understanding that God's plan has no flaws. Last Thursday, it was God's plan that I be with my friend Joe as he began his new journey.

Thank you Mr. Speaker and members.

REP. CHENTE QUINTANILLA: JOE MORENO

2005-05-09T08:25:00.000-07:00

Joe, my friend, it was such a great pleasure to have met you and develop a great relationship here in the legislature. They told me when I first came to the legislature that I would make life long friends and you were one of the first to embrace me. You were so embracing that you liked the way I wore my country western coats that you went out and got me a country western cut tuxedo and gave it to me. Joe, I will always remember you for your generosity to your fellow human beings. Joe, I know that you are with God and will be as helpful there as you were on earth. MAY GOD BLESS YOU.

REPS. RICK AND MELISSA NORIEGA: THE LOSS OF JOE MORENO

2005-05-09T08:02:00.000-07:00

By Rick and Melissa Noriega ( Afghanistan and Houston )

Today I am devastated by the loss of Joe Moreno. If I could find a stronger word, I would use it. I have lost a brother; the members of the House have lost a colleague; the people of Texas have lost a champion. Joe loved his family, his mom and dad, with all his big heart, and their loss is beyond my comprehension.

In the Bible, 2nd Samuel 23.2-4 says, “This is a requirement of God for those that ruleth over men, they must be just and God fearing.”

You must be just and you must be God-fearing. You may not be gifted with money or power, but if you are just and God-fearing, you will be what God requires. Joe was both of those. I believe that God “setteth one up”…God puts us where we are to be, and Joe was a representative of the people because he was just and God-fearing. He championed the poor. He knew when something was wrong, and he “spoke truth to power”—he was fearless in the face of that which he believed was wrong.

He was willing to speak up in the face of opposition, when he knew what was occurring was not right for Texas, for his community, for his people. He was a quiet force that all of us relied upon to help with the heavy lifting.

The email came from my wife this morning. I saw the headline on her email and I opened my messenger account to ask her to tell me it was not so. She told me she was on the floor of the House and that she was weeping, as was my friend and desk mate, John Davis. I realized that I would not return to Houston and see my buddy, my friend, again. I was in town in March, and before I left, I gave my brother Joe a hug, not knowing it was for the last time.

This loss seems like more than we can bear. It saddens me that I cannot come from where I am to say goodbye to my brother and friend. Each of you needs to go and kiss your spouse, hug your children, call your family, and be grateful that you are able to do it. Life ends in an instant, and none of us know when God will call us. Whatever you are doing with your life, Melissa and I encourage you to make it count.

For Texas ,

Rick and Melissa

KJV 2 Samuel 23:1-4

1 Now these be the last words of David. David the son of Jesse said , and the man who was raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel , said, 2 The Spirit of the Lord spake by me, and his word was in my tongue. 3 The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me , He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God. 4 And he shall be as the light of the morning, when the sun riseth, even a morning without clouds; as the tender grass springing out of the earth by clear shining after rain.