Summer leadership program provides encouragement for future goals
BY TARA BOZICK - TBOZICK@VICAD.COM
September 21, 2008 - 10:12 p.m.
Sixteen-year-old Dulce Perez vows to overcome all obstacles to improve her life.
Dulce, a junior at Calhoun High School, comes from a family of eight kids – two girls and six boys. As the oldest, she and her brother help watch the younger siblings, often helping them with their homework. Dulce’s mom has survived on being a migrant worker, traveling to the jobs.
The family has lived in Port Lavaca the past three years, and Dulce’s mom hopes to find a job at an area plant. Before coming to this city, they lived in Seadrift and the Valley.
Her mom wants Dulce to be independent.
“She doesn’t want us to suffer like she did,” Dulce said.
While her mother always encouraged her to get good grades so she could get grants and scholarships for college, a summer training program really inspired her to focus.
Dulce and three other students who live in migrant families – Xavier Puentes from El Campo ISD, Elizabeth Luna from Boling ISD and Luz Stephanie Jaime from Palacios ISD – traveled to Washington, D.C., July 20 to 26 for a leadership program hosted by the Bert Corona Leadership Institute, which serves youth living in migrant families and farm communities.
The students went with the Texas Migrant Interstate Program in Region III Education Service Center, which helps 216 students in 11 counties, migrant recruiter Mary Lou Canales of Victoria said.
It marked the first time Region III migrant students went to such a program, Canales said. Students in migrant families, both Mexican and Vietnamese, have always moved from one town to another in search of work.
With the higher gas prices, the families seem to be staying in one place longer and at least wait till the end of semesters before moving, Canales said.
“I’ve been telling my friends,” Dulce said about the trip. “They never thought a Mexican or Hispanic girl would go all the way to Washington, D.C.”
Her favorite part was meeting U.S. Representative Ruben Hinojosa, who represents District 15, which includes DeWitt, Goliad and Refugio counties.
The teenagers asked the congressman what he would do to help after school programs, improving aid for higher education and outsourcing jobs to other countries. Dulce had the job of thanking him for his time, which she stepped up to do even though she was nervous.
She was so surprised Hinojosa handed them his business card and told them to write.
The students did the same for aides with Senators Kay Bailey Hutchison and John Cornyn.
“Oh, it was so wonderful,” Dulce said, adding she loved visiting the White House and Capitol. “I was the only visually impaired person there and I still got to see everything.”
The trip definitely boosted Dulce’s self-esteem, Canales said. Dulce is blind in one eye and needs glasses for the other. Canales always tells her students that everyone has a disability of one kind or another, but not to let it hold them back.
Other limitations for these migrant students include getting school supplies. The students needed help getting tennis shoes, clothes and suitcases for the trip.
Even so, the trip inspired them to become more active in the community and to keep learning. Dulce, born in Mexico, is working on getting citizenship.
“Your vote is where your voice is,” Canales told the students. “Don’t let what you’ve learned – don’t put it on a shelf as a souvenir. Inspire someone else.”
That’s what Dulce hopes to do as a teacher someday. A blind teacher taught her life skills in the Valley and was an encouraging example. He moved and acted like he wasn’t even blind, she said.
“If we work hard, we can achieve what we want,” Dulce said.
Showing posts with label Kay Bailey Hutchison. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kay Bailey Hutchison. Show all posts
September 21, 2008
July 7, 2008
Dallas-area students cling to American dream
03:32 PM CDT on Monday, July 7, 2008
By STELLA M. CHÁVEZ schavez@dallasnews.com
Cristina Gamez quotes Albert Einstein, plays the piano and knows basic Japanese. Monica Ibarra Rodriguez enjoys Guitar Hero and plans to one day work as a substance abuse counselor. Her cousin, Jose de Jesus Ibarra, wants to be a mechanical engineer.
The Dallas-area young adults are typical of many college-age students – full of hopes and plans for the future. But all three are living in the country illegally and last year became subjects of deportation proceedings.
The students recently learned that U.S. Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson, D-Dallas, has taken up their cause. On June 20, Ms. Johnson filed a private bill that seeks to keep them from being deported.
In the absence of comprehensive immigration legislation, private immigration bills are sometimes a measure of last resort for immigrants trying to remain in the country. Such legislation names specific individuals and is intended only for them.
In this case, all three were brought to the U.S. from Mexico many years ago by their parents.
"That time was running out, and I didn't feel like I could keep waiting," said Ms. Johnson. "It [the bill] might not pass, but at least it buys us some time."
Ira Mehlman, media director of the Federation for American Immigration Reform, said exceptions should not be made for children, even if they had no choice in coming here.
"It's simply a bad precedent to set," Mr. Mehlman said. "While we certainly don't take any pleasure in seeing the kids harmed, we as a society hold the parents responsible. Children are not human shields. Unfortunately, this was a situation created by the parents, and there are consequences to breaking the law and those consequences affect your family."
Ms. Johnson's measure comes 10 days after U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., filed a private bill to keep an Armenian high school student from being deported.
The bills have several hurdles to clear. They must go through committee hearings and pass both the House and Senate before being signed into law by the president. Few have been enacted.
Ms. Johnson said she's realistic about her bill's odds.
"I think it's a long shot, but I think once we have a hearing and people hear the real story, there's a possibility we might have the votes," she said.
Immigrant proponents have sought a remedy for children of illegal immigrants in the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act, or DREAM Act, which would grant legal status to illegal immigrants who graduated from a U.S. high school and attended college or served in the military. But last fall, the bill failed in the Senate.
The bill's fate was especially disappointing for the Ibarras, who traveled to Washington for the vote and met with Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison's staff. She supported the bill.
Sen. John Cornyn opposed it and refused to meet with the family because they were in the country illegally, he said at the time.
Ms. Gamez, now 18, was 5 when she came to the United States, but she could tell the stark contrast between her native country and America.
"For one thing, everybody has shoes," she recalled noticing. "Everyone is nicely dressed."
Her parents initially intended to return home, but decided they'd lead a better life here, she said.
Problems arose last year when she racked up numerous school absences. That landed her in truancy court. There, an officer asked her if she was a U.S. citizen, which led to court hearings and into the offices of immigration attorney Liz Cedillo-Pereira.
The Ibarras, both 19, were caught at a party on senior skip day. During her stay in a detention facility, all Ms. Ibarra Rodriguez could think about was graduation.
"I just wanted to make my family proud ... that I didn't waste my time going to school for nothing," she said, crying.
Ms. Ibarra Rodriguez, who is enrolled in a local community college, said Ms. Johnson's bill gives her hope, but she remains worried.
She said Mexico is a foreign place to her.
Ms. Cedillo-Pereira, who is representing all three students, said they are good students who want to finish college and become legal working residents.
"Once we're able to seek a more comprehensive solution, we won't have to seek more remedies of last resort," she said.
Larry James, president and CEO of Central Dallas Ministries, said he supports the students.
"We're really grateful beyond words, but at the same time we recognize that this is not the way to handle immigration," Mr. James said. "We're going to fight to see that they get to stay."
By STELLA M. CHÁVEZ schavez@dallasnews.com
Cristina Gamez quotes Albert Einstein, plays the piano and knows basic Japanese. Monica Ibarra Rodriguez enjoys Guitar Hero and plans to one day work as a substance abuse counselor. Her cousin, Jose de Jesus Ibarra, wants to be a mechanical engineer.
The Dallas-area young adults are typical of many college-age students – full of hopes and plans for the future. But all three are living in the country illegally and last year became subjects of deportation proceedings.
The students recently learned that U.S. Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson, D-Dallas, has taken up their cause. On June 20, Ms. Johnson filed a private bill that seeks to keep them from being deported.
In the absence of comprehensive immigration legislation, private immigration bills are sometimes a measure of last resort for immigrants trying to remain in the country. Such legislation names specific individuals and is intended only for them.
In this case, all three were brought to the U.S. from Mexico many years ago by their parents.
"That time was running out, and I didn't feel like I could keep waiting," said Ms. Johnson. "It [the bill] might not pass, but at least it buys us some time."
Ira Mehlman, media director of the Federation for American Immigration Reform, said exceptions should not be made for children, even if they had no choice in coming here.
"It's simply a bad precedent to set," Mr. Mehlman said. "While we certainly don't take any pleasure in seeing the kids harmed, we as a society hold the parents responsible. Children are not human shields. Unfortunately, this was a situation created by the parents, and there are consequences to breaking the law and those consequences affect your family."
Ms. Johnson's measure comes 10 days after U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., filed a private bill to keep an Armenian high school student from being deported.
The bills have several hurdles to clear. They must go through committee hearings and pass both the House and Senate before being signed into law by the president. Few have been enacted.
Ms. Johnson said she's realistic about her bill's odds.
"I think it's a long shot, but I think once we have a hearing and people hear the real story, there's a possibility we might have the votes," she said.
Immigrant proponents have sought a remedy for children of illegal immigrants in the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act, or DREAM Act, which would grant legal status to illegal immigrants who graduated from a U.S. high school and attended college or served in the military. But last fall, the bill failed in the Senate.
The bill's fate was especially disappointing for the Ibarras, who traveled to Washington for the vote and met with Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison's staff. She supported the bill.
Sen. John Cornyn opposed it and refused to meet with the family because they were in the country illegally, he said at the time.
Ms. Gamez, now 18, was 5 when she came to the United States, but she could tell the stark contrast between her native country and America.
"For one thing, everybody has shoes," she recalled noticing. "Everyone is nicely dressed."
Her parents initially intended to return home, but decided they'd lead a better life here, she said.
Problems arose last year when she racked up numerous school absences. That landed her in truancy court. There, an officer asked her if she was a U.S. citizen, which led to court hearings and into the offices of immigration attorney Liz Cedillo-Pereira.
The Ibarras, both 19, were caught at a party on senior skip day. During her stay in a detention facility, all Ms. Ibarra Rodriguez could think about was graduation.
"I just wanted to make my family proud ... that I didn't waste my time going to school for nothing," she said, crying.
Ms. Ibarra Rodriguez, who is enrolled in a local community college, said Ms. Johnson's bill gives her hope, but she remains worried.
She said Mexico is a foreign place to her.
Ms. Cedillo-Pereira, who is representing all three students, said they are good students who want to finish college and become legal working residents.
"Once we're able to seek a more comprehensive solution, we won't have to seek more remedies of last resort," she said.
Larry James, president and CEO of Central Dallas Ministries, said he supports the students.
"We're really grateful beyond words, but at the same time we recognize that this is not the way to handle immigration," Mr. James said. "We're going to fight to see that they get to stay."
July 6, 2008
Dallas-area students cling to American dream
09:53 PM CDT on Sunday, July 6, 2008
By STELLA M. CHÁVEZ schavez@dallasnews.com
Cristina Gamez quotes Albert Einstein, plays the piano and knows basic Japanese. Monica Ibarra Rodriguez enjoys Guitar Hero and plans to one day work as a substance abuse counselor. Her cousin, Jose de Jesus Ibarra, wants to be a mechanical engineer.
The Dallas-area young adults are typical of many college-age students – full of hopes and plans for the future. But all three are living in the country illegally and last year became subjects of deportation proceedings.
The students recently learned that U.S. Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson, D-Dallas, has taken up their cause. On June 20, Ms. Johnson filed a private bill that seeks to keep them from being deported.
In the absence of comprehensive immigration legislation, private immigration bills are sometimes a measure of last resort for immigrants trying to remain in the country. Such legislation names specific individuals and is intended only for them.
In this case, all three were brought to the U.S. from Mexico many years ago by their parents.
"That time was running out, and I didn't feel like I could keep waiting," said Ms. Johnson. "It [the bill] might not pass, but at least it buys us some time."
Ira Mehlman, media director of the Federation for American Immigration Reform, said exceptions should not be made for children, even if they had no choice in coming here.
"It's simply a bad precedent to set," Mr. Mehlman said. "While we certainly don't take any pleasure in seeing the kids harmed, we as a society hold the parents responsible. Children are not human shields. Unfortunately, this was a situation created by the parents, and there are consequences to breaking the law and those consequences affect your family."
Ms. Johnson's measure comes 10 days after U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., filed a private bill to keep an Armenian high school student from being deported.
The bills have several hurdles to clear. They must go through committee hearings and pass both the House and Senate before being signed into law by the president. Few have been enacted.
Ms. Johnson said she's realistic about her bill's odds.
"I think it's a long shot, but I think once we have a hearing and people hear the real story, there's a possibility we might have the votes," she said.
Immigrant proponents have sought a remedy for children of illegal immigrants in the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act, or DREAM Act, which would grant legal status to illegal immigrants who graduated from a U.S. high school and attended college or served in the military. But last fall, the bill failed in the Senate.
The bill's fate was especially disappointing for the Ibarras, who traveled to Washington for the vote and met with Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison's staff. She supported the bill.
Sen. John Cornyn opposed it and refused to meet with the family because they were in the country illegally, he said at the time.
Ms. Gamez was 5 when she came to the United States, but she could tell the stark contrast between her native country and America.
"For one thing, everybody has shoes," she recalled noticing. "Everyone is nicely dressed."
Her parents initially intended to return home, but decided they'd lead a better life here, she said.
Problems arose last year when she racked up numerous school absences. That landed her in truancy court. There, an officer asked her if she was a U.S. citizen, which led to court hearings and into the offices of immigration attorney Liz Cedillo-Pereira.
The Ibarras, both 19, were caught at a party on senior skip day. During her stay in a detention facility, all Ms. Ibarra Rodriguez could think about was graduation.
"I just wanted to make my family proud ... that I didn't waste my time going to school for nothing," she said, crying.
Ms. Ibarra Rodriguez, who is enrolled in a local community college, said Ms. Johnson's bill gives her hope, but she remains worried.
She said Mexico is a foreign place to her.
Ms. Cedillo-Pereira, who is representing all three students, said they are good students who want to finish college and become legal working residents.
"Once we're able to seek a more comprehensive solution, we won't have to seek more remedies of last resort," she said.
Larry James, president and CEO of Central Dallas Ministries, said he supports the students.
"We're really grateful beyond words, but at the same time we recognize that this is not the way to handle immigration," Mr. James said. "We're going to fight to see that they get to stay."
By STELLA M. CHÁVEZ schavez@dallasnews.com
Cristina Gamez quotes Albert Einstein, plays the piano and knows basic Japanese. Monica Ibarra Rodriguez enjoys Guitar Hero and plans to one day work as a substance abuse counselor. Her cousin, Jose de Jesus Ibarra, wants to be a mechanical engineer.
The Dallas-area young adults are typical of many college-age students – full of hopes and plans for the future. But all three are living in the country illegally and last year became subjects of deportation proceedings.
The students recently learned that U.S. Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson, D-Dallas, has taken up their cause. On June 20, Ms. Johnson filed a private bill that seeks to keep them from being deported.
In the absence of comprehensive immigration legislation, private immigration bills are sometimes a measure of last resort for immigrants trying to remain in the country. Such legislation names specific individuals and is intended only for them.
In this case, all three were brought to the U.S. from Mexico many years ago by their parents.
"That time was running out, and I didn't feel like I could keep waiting," said Ms. Johnson. "It [the bill] might not pass, but at least it buys us some time."
Ira Mehlman, media director of the Federation for American Immigration Reform, said exceptions should not be made for children, even if they had no choice in coming here.
"It's simply a bad precedent to set," Mr. Mehlman said. "While we certainly don't take any pleasure in seeing the kids harmed, we as a society hold the parents responsible. Children are not human shields. Unfortunately, this was a situation created by the parents, and there are consequences to breaking the law and those consequences affect your family."
Ms. Johnson's measure comes 10 days after U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., filed a private bill to keep an Armenian high school student from being deported.
The bills have several hurdles to clear. They must go through committee hearings and pass both the House and Senate before being signed into law by the president. Few have been enacted.
Ms. Johnson said she's realistic about her bill's odds.
"I think it's a long shot, but I think once we have a hearing and people hear the real story, there's a possibility we might have the votes," she said.
Immigrant proponents have sought a remedy for children of illegal immigrants in the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act, or DREAM Act, which would grant legal status to illegal immigrants who graduated from a U.S. high school and attended college or served in the military. But last fall, the bill failed in the Senate.
The bill's fate was especially disappointing for the Ibarras, who traveled to Washington for the vote and met with Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison's staff. She supported the bill.
Sen. John Cornyn opposed it and refused to meet with the family because they were in the country illegally, he said at the time.
Ms. Gamez was 5 when she came to the United States, but she could tell the stark contrast between her native country and America.
"For one thing, everybody has shoes," she recalled noticing. "Everyone is nicely dressed."
Her parents initially intended to return home, but decided they'd lead a better life here, she said.
Problems arose last year when she racked up numerous school absences. That landed her in truancy court. There, an officer asked her if she was a U.S. citizen, which led to court hearings and into the offices of immigration attorney Liz Cedillo-Pereira.
The Ibarras, both 19, were caught at a party on senior skip day. During her stay in a detention facility, all Ms. Ibarra Rodriguez could think about was graduation.
"I just wanted to make my family proud ... that I didn't waste my time going to school for nothing," she said, crying.
Ms. Ibarra Rodriguez, who is enrolled in a local community college, said Ms. Johnson's bill gives her hope, but she remains worried.
She said Mexico is a foreign place to her.
Ms. Cedillo-Pereira, who is representing all three students, said they are good students who want to finish college and become legal working residents.
"Once we're able to seek a more comprehensive solution, we won't have to seek more remedies of last resort," she said.
Larry James, president and CEO of Central Dallas Ministries, said he supports the students.
"We're really grateful beyond words, but at the same time we recognize that this is not the way to handle immigration," Mr. James said. "We're going to fight to see that they get to stay."
July 3, 2008
U.S. funds for Mexico drug war frustrate Texas sheriffs
July 3, 2008, 3:30AM
They're demanding more federal help as they fight cartels along the border
By STEWART M. POWELL
Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle San Antonio Bureau
WASHINGTON — Besieged Texas sheriffs vowed Wednesday to press the White House and Congress to deliver emergency assistance to law enforcement officers battling drug cartels along the Mexican border to match the $400 million on its way to Mexico.
The sheriffs said they were frustrated that President Bush and Congress agreed to provide assistance to Mexico, as part of the Merida Initiative, without offering additional federal help to their departments.
The officers said they would seek direct federal assistance, as well as changes in Department of Homeland Security restrictions to permit local law enforcement departments to use homeland security funds to hire additional officers.
Regulations currently require local police and sheriff's departments to devote homeland security money to equipment, technology and paying officers overtime.
Implementation of the Merida Initiative is ''really disappointing and disheartening because Washington seems totally oblivious to what we're facing on the Mexican border," said Webb County Sheriff Rick Flores, chairman of the 19-county Texas Border Sheriff's Coalition.
''If they allocate resources and money to Mexico, they should also consider protecting our side of the border first."
Flores, who said he has faced death threats three times in the past three years, has received $1.8 million in federal assistance over the past 36 months. He said he needed $14.5 million in additional federal help over the next five years to hire 25 new deputies to join his hard-pressed department of 37 deputies.
Mexico will receive ''all the equipment," Flores said. ''They're going to be two notches above what we have. We would really like to have one of those helicopters in our neck of the woods."
The Merida Initiative calls for the United States to provide eight 13-passenger transport helicopters to Mexican security forces.
Hidalgo County Sheriff Guadalupe Trevino Jr. decried the assistance going only to Mexico.
''You would think there would be a bilateral approach to attack the problem from both angles when we're giving money to a foreign country to fight a drug problem that greatly contributes to our problems," Trevino said.
''I consider it kind of disappointing that the federal government saw a greater need for foreign aid than for helping local law enforcement."
Bush signed the Merida Initiative into law on Monday, as part of a multi-faceted emergency budget supplemental package that provided money for U.S. military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan through next summer. The House and Senate passed the package by wide margins with bipartisan support.
The legislation included $400 million in the first year for U.S. training, equipment and other assistance to bolster Mexican President Felipe Calderon's $4 billion campaign against drug traffickers, using 30,000 security forces against well-funded cartels that have killed more than 4,000 people over the past 21 months, including an estimated 450 security forces and local officials.
Bush's overall plan calls for $1.6 billion to be spent over three years to help Mexico, Central America, Haiti and the Dominican Republic combat drug traffickers. Of that amount, $1.4 billion is intended for Mexico.
Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas, a member of the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee, had added $100 million to the emergency supplemental spending bill during Senate deliberations to bolster U.S. law enforcement agencies along the 1,947-mile border. But the House knocked out the added spending in the final compromise.
Members of the Texas congressional delegation have vowed to press for additional money for border sheriffs.
U.S. drug czar John Walters defended the administration's decision to funnel assistance to Mexico without providing matching assistance to U.S. law enforcement.
Assistance to Mexico "magnifies what can be done" with the billions of dollars that the federal government already provides state and local law enforcement, Walters said. ''We don't see this as either-or."
stewart.powell@chron.com
They're demanding more federal help as they fight cartels along the border
By STEWART M. POWELL
Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle San Antonio Bureau
WASHINGTON — Besieged Texas sheriffs vowed Wednesday to press the White House and Congress to deliver emergency assistance to law enforcement officers battling drug cartels along the Mexican border to match the $400 million on its way to Mexico.
The sheriffs said they were frustrated that President Bush and Congress agreed to provide assistance to Mexico, as part of the Merida Initiative, without offering additional federal help to their departments.
The officers said they would seek direct federal assistance, as well as changes in Department of Homeland Security restrictions to permit local law enforcement departments to use homeland security funds to hire additional officers.
Regulations currently require local police and sheriff's departments to devote homeland security money to equipment, technology and paying officers overtime.
Implementation of the Merida Initiative is ''really disappointing and disheartening because Washington seems totally oblivious to what we're facing on the Mexican border," said Webb County Sheriff Rick Flores, chairman of the 19-county Texas Border Sheriff's Coalition.
''If they allocate resources and money to Mexico, they should also consider protecting our side of the border first."
Flores, who said he has faced death threats three times in the past three years, has received $1.8 million in federal assistance over the past 36 months. He said he needed $14.5 million in additional federal help over the next five years to hire 25 new deputies to join his hard-pressed department of 37 deputies.
Mexico will receive ''all the equipment," Flores said. ''They're going to be two notches above what we have. We would really like to have one of those helicopters in our neck of the woods."
The Merida Initiative calls for the United States to provide eight 13-passenger transport helicopters to Mexican security forces.
Hidalgo County Sheriff Guadalupe Trevino Jr. decried the assistance going only to Mexico.
''You would think there would be a bilateral approach to attack the problem from both angles when we're giving money to a foreign country to fight a drug problem that greatly contributes to our problems," Trevino said.
''I consider it kind of disappointing that the federal government saw a greater need for foreign aid than for helping local law enforcement."
Bush signed the Merida Initiative into law on Monday, as part of a multi-faceted emergency budget supplemental package that provided money for U.S. military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan through next summer. The House and Senate passed the package by wide margins with bipartisan support.
The legislation included $400 million in the first year for U.S. training, equipment and other assistance to bolster Mexican President Felipe Calderon's $4 billion campaign against drug traffickers, using 30,000 security forces against well-funded cartels that have killed more than 4,000 people over the past 21 months, including an estimated 450 security forces and local officials.
Bush's overall plan calls for $1.6 billion to be spent over three years to help Mexico, Central America, Haiti and the Dominican Republic combat drug traffickers. Of that amount, $1.4 billion is intended for Mexico.
Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas, a member of the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee, had added $100 million to the emergency supplemental spending bill during Senate deliberations to bolster U.S. law enforcement agencies along the 1,947-mile border. But the House knocked out the added spending in the final compromise.
Members of the Texas congressional delegation have vowed to press for additional money for border sheriffs.
U.S. drug czar John Walters defended the administration's decision to funnel assistance to Mexico without providing matching assistance to U.S. law enforcement.
Assistance to Mexico "magnifies what can be done" with the billions of dollars that the federal government already provides state and local law enforcement, Walters said. ''We don't see this as either-or."
stewart.powell@chron.com
June 28, 2008
Voters favor Hutchison, poll finds
Voters favor Hutchison, poll finds
By Brandi Grissom / Austin Bureau
Article Launched: 06/28/2008 12:00:00 AM MDT
AUSTIN -- Republican voters in Texas seem to like the idea of U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison coming home to take the state's top job, according to poll results released Friday.
More than two years before the 2010 gubernatorial race, The Texas Lyceum, a nonpartisan Texas think tank, asked respondents earlier this month to participate in a "fantasy" election.
The poll asked 1,000 people across the state to choose among five Republican politicians -- Hutchison, Gov. Rick Perry, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, state Sen. Florence Shapiro and Railroad Commissioner Michael Williams.
None garnered a majority, but 35 percent said they were likely to support Hutchison, compared with 22 percent who chose Perry.
"That's a powerful statement about people's satisfaction or dissatisfaction with how he's carried out the last two years of his office," said Kathleen Staudt, a political science professor at the University of Texas at El Paso.
Perry won re-election in 2006 with 39 percent of the vote in a crowded field of candidates. He is set to become the longest-serving Texas governor in history later this year and has said he plans to run again in 2010.
Perry spokesman Robert Black said a poll wasn't worth much.
"Two years is two or three eternities in politics," Black said. "Gov. Perry doesn't pay much attention to polls anyway."
Hutchison has not announced her candidacy, but is considering a run for the governor's mansion. Matt Mackowiak, Hutchison's spokesman, declined to comment on the poll results.
The poll also asked about five Democratic politicians who might have gubernatorial aspirations: former U.S. Rep. Chris Bell, Houston Mayor Bill White, former Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk, former Comptroller John Sharp and former comptroller candidate Paul Hobby.
More than 40 percent said they didn't know whom they would support, and about 17 percent said they wouldn't choose any of the Democrats listed.
"Those results don't speak very well for the Democratic Party and its ability to generate high-profile names that appeal to the entire state," Staudt said.
She agreed with Perry's spokesman that it was too soon to make predictions about the 2010 gubernatorial race.
"It's much too early," she said. "Everybody's all caught up in the presidential election right now."
The poll also asked Texans which issues were the most important facing the state.
Gas and oil prices topped the list, followed closely by immigration and the economy.
The price of gas was the first thing Lower Valley resident Gloria Duran mentioned, too, when asked about important issues facing Texans.
But health care and education were the mother of four's biggest concerns.
"Can they do without the TAKS (Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills) test?" she said. "It's throwing off a lot of kids."
Tanny Berg, an El Paso investor, listed the state's new business tax as one of his biggest worries.
"It's really, really onerous on small businesses," he said.
And, he said, Texas should make it a priority to improve relations with Mexico.
"The economic well-being of both countries is interdependent," Berg said, "and Texas needs to take a role in making that better."
Brandi Grissom may be reached at bgrissom@elpasotimes.com;512-479-6606.
By Brandi Grissom / Austin Bureau
Article Launched: 06/28/2008 12:00:00 AM MDT
AUSTIN -- Republican voters in Texas seem to like the idea of U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison coming home to take the state's top job, according to poll results released Friday.
More than two years before the 2010 gubernatorial race, The Texas Lyceum, a nonpartisan Texas think tank, asked respondents earlier this month to participate in a "fantasy" election.
The poll asked 1,000 people across the state to choose among five Republican politicians -- Hutchison, Gov. Rick Perry, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, state Sen. Florence Shapiro and Railroad Commissioner Michael Williams.
None garnered a majority, but 35 percent said they were likely to support Hutchison, compared with 22 percent who chose Perry.
"That's a powerful statement about people's satisfaction or dissatisfaction with how he's carried out the last two years of his office," said Kathleen Staudt, a political science professor at the University of Texas at El Paso.
Perry won re-election in 2006 with 39 percent of the vote in a crowded field of candidates. He is set to become the longest-serving Texas governor in history later this year and has said he plans to run again in 2010.
Perry spokesman Robert Black said a poll wasn't worth much.
"Two years is two or three eternities in politics," Black said. "Gov. Perry doesn't pay much attention to polls anyway."
Hutchison has not announced her candidacy, but is considering a run for the governor's mansion. Matt Mackowiak, Hutchison's spokesman, declined to comment on the poll results.
The poll also asked about five Democratic politicians who might have gubernatorial aspirations: former U.S. Rep. Chris Bell, Houston Mayor Bill White, former Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk, former Comptroller John Sharp and former comptroller candidate Paul Hobby.
More than 40 percent said they didn't know whom they would support, and about 17 percent said they wouldn't choose any of the Democrats listed.
"Those results don't speak very well for the Democratic Party and its ability to generate high-profile names that appeal to the entire state," Staudt said.
She agreed with Perry's spokesman that it was too soon to make predictions about the 2010 gubernatorial race.
"It's much too early," she said. "Everybody's all caught up in the presidential election right now."
The poll also asked Texans which issues were the most important facing the state.
Gas and oil prices topped the list, followed closely by immigration and the economy.
The price of gas was the first thing Lower Valley resident Gloria Duran mentioned, too, when asked about important issues facing Texans.
But health care and education were the mother of four's biggest concerns.
"Can they do without the TAKS (Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills) test?" she said. "It's throwing off a lot of kids."
Tanny Berg, an El Paso investor, listed the state's new business tax as one of his biggest worries.
"It's really, really onerous on small businesses," he said.
And, he said, Texas should make it a priority to improve relations with Mexico.
"The economic well-being of both countries is interdependent," Berg said, "and Texas needs to take a role in making that better."
Brandi Grissom may be reached at bgrissom@elpasotimes.com;512-479-6606.
June 9, 2008
Texas State GOP worry grouchy voters won't go to polls
June 8, 2008, 11:16PM
State GOP worry grouchy voters won't go to polls
Convention opens here amid some discontent within the party
By R.G. RATCLIFFE
Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle Austin Bureau
AUSTIN — After a decade of political dominance, the Texas GOP is opening its party convention in Houston this week with a troubling prospect: Grumpy Republicans may not turn out to vote this fall.
Many of the grass-roots Texas Republicans see presumptive presidential nominee John McCain as not conservative enough. Others still support presidential candidate Ron Paul. Some are unhappy over immigration, high federal spending, a sagging national economy and rising gasoline prices.
"A lot of them, and rightly so in many cases, are mad. They're concerned," said Roger Williams, chairman of the Texas GOP's voter turnout efforts this year. "What we've got to do is alleviate those concerns and get them to vote."
"We're the underdogs, and anybody who tells you we're not hasn't been out and about," Williams said.
The convention runs from Wednesday to Saturday at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston.
Against this backdrop of discontent, the convention will feature speeches by Gov. Rick Perry, U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison and Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, all of whom are considering runs for governor in 2010.
The convention also will feature U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, who faces a re-election challenge this year from Democratic nominee Rick Noriega of Houston.
Delegates on Friday will hear from former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich and former presidential contenders Mike Huckabee and Mitt Romney. Romney is McCain's designated surrogate speaker at the convention.
Cathie Adams, president of the Texas Eagle Forum, said McCain is not building bridges with the grass roots by sending Romney to speak to the Texas convention in his place.
"It would have been better if he had come himself," Adams said.
Adams said many delegates to the convention will want to be reassured about McCain on immigration. She said many are upset that he supports a process of granting citizenship to those who entered the country illegally.
Adams said McCain cannot win just by telling voters the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama is bad.
"Everyone I know is unhappy with the prospects of Obama," Adams said. "But they'll stay home rather than just go out and vote against someone."
Similarly, some of Paul's supporters are upset with McCain and how the state convention is run. Some sued the Texas GOP last week in an effort to block the seating of some non-Paul delegates.
Don Zimmerman, a Paul activist and candidate for Travis County tax assessor-collector, is vying to be a national delegate, even though that means supporting McCain, whom he does not like.
Zimmerman said many new delegates to the convention this year will be Paul supporters. He said he wants to get them focused on winning local races.
"Get over the McCain thing and work for your local Republican who you like," Zimmerman said.
Republican leadership is less worried about the elections of McCain and Cornyn than they are about the effect party disgruntlement may have on congressional and legislative races.
Republican pollster Mike Baselice said half the Republican voters in Texas say the state and nation are on the "wrong track." He calls them "grumpy Republicans" who cannot be counted on to turn out to vote against presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama.
"I'm concerned about the wrong-track Republicans opting not to vote," Baselice said.
Baselice said Republicans in 2002 had a 6 percentage point advantage in Dallas County voting and an 8 percentage point advantage in Harris County. He said neither party now has an advantage in Dallas, and the GOP holds an advantage of about 1.5 percentage points in Harris County.
He said that partisan shift could give Democrats a great boost if a large percentage of Republicans don't vote.
Baselice said Republicans who vote can be counted on to vote up and down the ballot, but he said the GOP stands to lose ground if the "grumpy" Republicans stay home.
Former Republican Chairman Tom Pauken said politicians and party leaders need to reassure the Republican grass-roots workers that their efforts matter for conservative causes.
"The grass roots has withered up and died," Pauken said.
But current state Chairwoman Tina Benkiser said she believes most of the discontent is directed toward Washington. She said the 2006 elections were bad for Republicans nationally but that the Texas GOP picked up more than 200 offices held by Democrats that year.
Benkiser said the goal of this week's convention will be to excite the delegates and make them feel like a conservative agenda is worth working for in the general election.
"At the end of the day, things bode well for us," Benkiser said.
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/5826424.html
State GOP worry grouchy voters won't go to polls
Convention opens here amid some discontent within the party
By R.G. RATCLIFFE
Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle Austin Bureau
AUSTIN — After a decade of political dominance, the Texas GOP is opening its party convention in Houston this week with a troubling prospect: Grumpy Republicans may not turn out to vote this fall.
Many of the grass-roots Texas Republicans see presumptive presidential nominee John McCain as not conservative enough. Others still support presidential candidate Ron Paul. Some are unhappy over immigration, high federal spending, a sagging national economy and rising gasoline prices.
"A lot of them, and rightly so in many cases, are mad. They're concerned," said Roger Williams, chairman of the Texas GOP's voter turnout efforts this year. "What we've got to do is alleviate those concerns and get them to vote."
"We're the underdogs, and anybody who tells you we're not hasn't been out and about," Williams said.
The convention runs from Wednesday to Saturday at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston.
Against this backdrop of discontent, the convention will feature speeches by Gov. Rick Perry, U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison and Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, all of whom are considering runs for governor in 2010.
The convention also will feature U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, who faces a re-election challenge this year from Democratic nominee Rick Noriega of Houston.
Delegates on Friday will hear from former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich and former presidential contenders Mike Huckabee and Mitt Romney. Romney is McCain's designated surrogate speaker at the convention.
Cathie Adams, president of the Texas Eagle Forum, said McCain is not building bridges with the grass roots by sending Romney to speak to the Texas convention in his place.
"It would have been better if he had come himself," Adams said.
Adams said many delegates to the convention will want to be reassured about McCain on immigration. She said many are upset that he supports a process of granting citizenship to those who entered the country illegally.
Adams said McCain cannot win just by telling voters the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama is bad.
"Everyone I know is unhappy with the prospects of Obama," Adams said. "But they'll stay home rather than just go out and vote against someone."
Similarly, some of Paul's supporters are upset with McCain and how the state convention is run. Some sued the Texas GOP last week in an effort to block the seating of some non-Paul delegates.
Don Zimmerman, a Paul activist and candidate for Travis County tax assessor-collector, is vying to be a national delegate, even though that means supporting McCain, whom he does not like.
Zimmerman said many new delegates to the convention this year will be Paul supporters. He said he wants to get them focused on winning local races.
"Get over the McCain thing and work for your local Republican who you like," Zimmerman said.
Republican leadership is less worried about the elections of McCain and Cornyn than they are about the effect party disgruntlement may have on congressional and legislative races.
Republican pollster Mike Baselice said half the Republican voters in Texas say the state and nation are on the "wrong track." He calls them "grumpy Republicans" who cannot be counted on to turn out to vote against presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama.
"I'm concerned about the wrong-track Republicans opting not to vote," Baselice said.
Baselice said Republicans in 2002 had a 6 percentage point advantage in Dallas County voting and an 8 percentage point advantage in Harris County. He said neither party now has an advantage in Dallas, and the GOP holds an advantage of about 1.5 percentage points in Harris County.
He said that partisan shift could give Democrats a great boost if a large percentage of Republicans don't vote.
Baselice said Republicans who vote can be counted on to vote up and down the ballot, but he said the GOP stands to lose ground if the "grumpy" Republicans stay home.
Former Republican Chairman Tom Pauken said politicians and party leaders need to reassure the Republican grass-roots workers that their efforts matter for conservative causes.
"The grass roots has withered up and died," Pauken said.
But current state Chairwoman Tina Benkiser said she believes most of the discontent is directed toward Washington. She said the 2006 elections were bad for Republicans nationally but that the Texas GOP picked up more than 200 offices held by Democrats that year.
Benkiser said the goal of this week's convention will be to excite the delegates and make them feel like a conservative agenda is worth working for in the general election.
"At the end of the day, things bode well for us," Benkiser said.
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/5826424.html
June 8, 2008
U.S., Mexican lawmakers have talks
U.S., Mexican lawmakers have talks
By Diana Washington Valdez / El Paso Times
Article Launched: 06/07/2008 12:00:00 AM MDT
Related: Read past stories on Juarez, and the El Paso Times' special report, "Bordering on Fear" by clicking here.
U.S. and Mexican legislators will meet this weekend in Monterrey, Mexico, to discuss issues of mutual interest to both countries, including immigration, trade and border security.
U.S. Rep. Ciro Rodriguez, D-Texas, whose district stretches from far East El Paso to San Antonio, is part of the Mexico-U.S. Interparliamentary Group, which meets once a year.
"I have worked closely with U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas) on bills to help to stop illegal activity by cracking down on illegal gunrunning, and to address the issue of increased wait times on the border by gathering better data on wait times," Rodriguez said Friday.
"We must continue to have the special relationship we have had with Mexico and I will work this weekend to continue that relationship."
He said U.S. lawmakers were considering a bill to enable the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms to hire, train and deploy 80 more special agents, some of whom would be assigned to the Project Gunrunner Teams that investigate weapons trafficking into Mexico.
Another bill, the Border Wait Times Study Act, would document the economic impacts wait times at international crossings are having at the borders with Canada and Mexico.
http://www.elpasotimes.com/ci_9508011?source=most_viewed
By Diana Washington Valdez / El Paso Times
Article Launched: 06/07/2008 12:00:00 AM MDT
Related: Read past stories on Juarez, and the El Paso Times' special report, "Bordering on Fear" by clicking here.
U.S. and Mexican legislators will meet this weekend in Monterrey, Mexico, to discuss issues of mutual interest to both countries, including immigration, trade and border security.
U.S. Rep. Ciro Rodriguez, D-Texas, whose district stretches from far East El Paso to San Antonio, is part of the Mexico-U.S. Interparliamentary Group, which meets once a year.
"I have worked closely with U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas) on bills to help to stop illegal activity by cracking down on illegal gunrunning, and to address the issue of increased wait times on the border by gathering better data on wait times," Rodriguez said Friday.
"We must continue to have the special relationship we have had with Mexico and I will work this weekend to continue that relationship."
He said U.S. lawmakers were considering a bill to enable the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms to hire, train and deploy 80 more special agents, some of whom would be assigned to the Project Gunrunner Teams that investigate weapons trafficking into Mexico.
Another bill, the Border Wait Times Study Act, would document the economic impacts wait times at international crossings are having at the borders with Canada and Mexico.
http://www.elpasotimes.com/ci_9508011?source=most_viewed
May 1, 2006
About Texas Employers for Immigration Reform (TEIR)
Texas Employers for Immigration Reform (TEIR)
Founded by Lonnie (Bo) Pilgrim owner of Pilgrim's Pride Chicken
http://www.txeir.org/
Principles for Immigration Reform
We support comprehensive immigration reform that:
Facilitates the employment of essential workers by U.S. companies and organizations through a market-driven system of temporary workers.
Addresses the economic needs for both future and undocumented workers already in the United States.
Strengthens national security by providing for the screening of foreign workers and creating a disincentive for illegal immigration.
Creates an immigration system that functions efficiently for employers, workers, and government agencies.
Upholds the rule of law by establishing a clear, sensible immigration system that is efficiently and vigorously enforced.
Includes new, proven enforcement regimes that do not penalize employers for their past inability to comply with a broken system.
Acknowledges the $17.7 billion contribution that immigrant workers make to the Texas economy.
Allows hard-working, tax-paying undocumented workers to earn legal status.
Does not displace U.S. workers with foreign workers.
Ensures that all workers enjoy the same labor law protections.
Unites, rather than divides, employers and immigrant workers.
Open Letter to:
May 24, 2007
Dear Senator Hutchison and Senator Cornyn,
As the leadership of the Texas Employers for Immigration Reform, we write to express the urgency in supporting passage of comprehensive immigration reform. We believe that if comprehensive reform is not completed there will be a severe impact on national security and the economy of our state and nation.
Texas Employers for Immigration Reform is a coalition of Texas businesses, including farmers,hotels, restaurants, banks, manufacturers, retailers, trade associations and other organizations representing the spectrum of employers in the Lone Star State. TEIR strongly supports a comprehensive solution to
immigration reform. This includes border security, a necessary and temporary guest worker program combined with clear, sensible workplace enforcement, and a path to legal status for undocumented workers currently in the United States.
While S. 1348 as announced by a bipartisan group last week is not perfect, it is a good start towards the comprehensive immigration reform we need in this country. We applaud and acknowledge your vital role in this process and believe together we can create historic immigration legislation this year.
Sincerely,
List of Supporters As of March, 2008
Adams Insurance Services, Inc.
ALCOM Electronicos de Mexico S.A. de C.V.
Associated Builders & Contractors of Texas
Associated Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors of Texas
Baldi Gardens
Beecherl Investments
Belton Area Chamber of Commerce
Bob Perry
Boggus Ford
Borders Melon Co.
Bowerbird Construction
Brownsville Chamber of Commerce
Bud Smith Organization
Cameo Samples LLC
Cedar Creek Farms
Clearstream Wastewater Systems, Inc.
Contran Corporation
Corporate Facilities Management Services, LLC
Dairy Farmers of America
East Texas Refrigeration
Emerald Garden
Excell Cleaning and Building Services, Inc.
Express Personnel Services
Federation of Employers & Workers of America
Four Seasons Sunrooms Design and Remodeling Center
Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Greater Houston Partnership
Greater Irving-Las Colinas Chamber of Commerce
Greater Killeen Chamber of Commerce
Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce
GreenWay Lawn Care
Heard & Smith L.L.P
Henry S. Miller Companies
Hunt Building Corporation
Hutchison Homes
IBTX Risk Management System
ImmigrationWorks USA
International Bank of Commerce
James Leininger, M.D.
Kenjura Tile, Inc.
Lawn Management Company
Landmark Nurseries Inc.
Loeffler, Tuggey, Pauerstein, Rosenthal LLP
Lone Star Milk Producers
Manhattan Policy Institute
McAllen Chamber of Commerce
Mesquite Chamber of Commerce
Metro Blind & Shade Inc.
Mission Economic Development Authority
Mortellaro’s Nursery, Inc.
North American Stone Company
Pape Farms
Phil Adams Company Pilgrim’s Pride
Plains Cotton Growers, Inc.
Powell Plant Farms, Inc.
Ran-Pro Farms Inc.
Rennerwood, Inc.
Rio Grande Valley Partnership/Chamber of Commerce
San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Sanderson Farms
Select Milk Producers, Inc.
South Padre Island Chamber of Commerce
Southern Multifoods, Inc.
Southwest Property Landscaping
Starr-Camargo Bridge Co.
TawaKoni Plant Farm
Texas Agriculture Cooperative Council
Texas Apartment Association
Texas Association of Builders
Texas Association of Business
Texas Association of Dairymen
Texas Association of Mexican-American Chambers of Commerce
Texas Cattle Feeders Association
Texas Citrus Mutual
Texas Cotton Ginners Association
Texas Farm Bureau
Texas Forestry Association
Texas Hotel & Lodging Association
Texas Nursery and Landscape Association
Texas Watermelon Association
Texas Package Store Association
Texas Pork Producers Association
Texas Poultry Federation and Affiliates
Texas Produce Association
Texas Restaurant Association
Texas Retailers Association
Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association
Texas State Bank
Texas State Florists Association
Texas Travel Industry Association
Texas Vegetable Association
The Honorable Dolph Briscoe
Turfgrass Producers of Texas
Tyson Foods, Inc.
Universal Metal Products
West Texas Plants
Wester Landscape Management
Wilhite Landscape and Lawn Care, Ltd.
Winter Garden Produce
Workforce Solutions
Former Supporters
Huffines Auto Group
Pilgrim’s Pride
Founded by Lonnie (Bo) Pilgrim owner of Pilgrim's Pride Chicken
http://www.txeir.org/
Principles for Immigration Reform
We support comprehensive immigration reform that:
Facilitates the employment of essential workers by U.S. companies and organizations through a market-driven system of temporary workers.
Addresses the economic needs for both future and undocumented workers already in the United States.
Strengthens national security by providing for the screening of foreign workers and creating a disincentive for illegal immigration.
Creates an immigration system that functions efficiently for employers, workers, and government agencies.
Upholds the rule of law by establishing a clear, sensible immigration system that is efficiently and vigorously enforced.
Includes new, proven enforcement regimes that do not penalize employers for their past inability to comply with a broken system.
Acknowledges the $17.7 billion contribution that immigrant workers make to the Texas economy.
Allows hard-working, tax-paying undocumented workers to earn legal status.
Does not displace U.S. workers with foreign workers.
Ensures that all workers enjoy the same labor law protections.
Unites, rather than divides, employers and immigrant workers.
Open Letter to:
May 24, 2007
Dear Senator Hutchison and Senator Cornyn,
As the leadership of the Texas Employers for Immigration Reform, we write to express the urgency in supporting passage of comprehensive immigration reform. We believe that if comprehensive reform is not completed there will be a severe impact on national security and the economy of our state and nation.
Texas Employers for Immigration Reform is a coalition of Texas businesses, including farmers,hotels, restaurants, banks, manufacturers, retailers, trade associations and other organizations representing the spectrum of employers in the Lone Star State. TEIR strongly supports a comprehensive solution to
immigration reform. This includes border security, a necessary and temporary guest worker program combined with clear, sensible workplace enforcement, and a path to legal status for undocumented workers currently in the United States.
While S. 1348 as announced by a bipartisan group last week is not perfect, it is a good start towards the comprehensive immigration reform we need in this country. We applaud and acknowledge your vital role in this process and believe together we can create historic immigration legislation this year.
Sincerely,
List of Supporters As of March, 2008
Adams Insurance Services, Inc.
ALCOM Electronicos de Mexico S.A. de C.V.
Associated Builders & Contractors of Texas
Associated Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors of Texas
Baldi Gardens
Beecherl Investments
Belton Area Chamber of Commerce
Bob Perry
Boggus Ford
Borders Melon Co.
Bowerbird Construction
Brownsville Chamber of Commerce
Bud Smith Organization
Cameo Samples LLC
Cedar Creek Farms
Clearstream Wastewater Systems, Inc.
Contran Corporation
Corporate Facilities Management Services, LLC
Dairy Farmers of America
East Texas Refrigeration
Emerald Garden
Excell Cleaning and Building Services, Inc.
Express Personnel Services
Federation of Employers & Workers of America
Four Seasons Sunrooms Design and Remodeling Center
Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Greater Houston Partnership
Greater Irving-Las Colinas Chamber of Commerce
Greater Killeen Chamber of Commerce
Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce
GreenWay Lawn Care
Heard & Smith L.L.P
Henry S. Miller Companies
Hunt Building Corporation
Hutchison Homes
IBTX Risk Management System
ImmigrationWorks USA
International Bank of Commerce
James Leininger, M.D.
Kenjura Tile, Inc.
Lawn Management Company
Landmark Nurseries Inc.
Loeffler, Tuggey, Pauerstein, Rosenthal LLP
Lone Star Milk Producers
Manhattan Policy Institute
McAllen Chamber of Commerce
Mesquite Chamber of Commerce
Metro Blind & Shade Inc.
Mission Economic Development Authority
Mortellaro’s Nursery, Inc.
North American Stone Company
Pape Farms
Phil Adams Company Pilgrim’s Pride
Plains Cotton Growers, Inc.
Powell Plant Farms, Inc.
Ran-Pro Farms Inc.
Rennerwood, Inc.
Rio Grande Valley Partnership/Chamber of Commerce
San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Sanderson Farms
Select Milk Producers, Inc.
South Padre Island Chamber of Commerce
Southern Multifoods, Inc.
Southwest Property Landscaping
Starr-Camargo Bridge Co.
TawaKoni Plant Farm
Texas Agriculture Cooperative Council
Texas Apartment Association
Texas Association of Builders
Texas Association of Business
Texas Association of Dairymen
Texas Association of Mexican-American Chambers of Commerce
Texas Cattle Feeders Association
Texas Citrus Mutual
Texas Cotton Ginners Association
Texas Farm Bureau
Texas Forestry Association
Texas Hotel & Lodging Association
Texas Nursery and Landscape Association
Texas Watermelon Association
Texas Package Store Association
Texas Pork Producers Association
Texas Poultry Federation and Affiliates
Texas Produce Association
Texas Restaurant Association
Texas Retailers Association
Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association
Texas State Bank
Texas State Florists Association
Texas Travel Industry Association
Texas Vegetable Association
The Honorable Dolph Briscoe
Turfgrass Producers of Texas
Tyson Foods, Inc.
Universal Metal Products
West Texas Plants
Wester Landscape Management
Wilhite Landscape and Lawn Care, Ltd.
Winter Garden Produce
Workforce Solutions
Former Supporters
Huffines Auto Group
Pilgrim’s Pride
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