This past weekend, 47 members of the House of Representatives joined me in asking our friend and colleague, Lt. Col. Rick Noriega, to run for U.S. Senate. We asked our friend to run because now, more than ever, we need his strength and leadership to get Texas and our great nation back on the right path.

While certain politicians were talking about the “war on terror”, Lt. Col. Noriega was actually fighting it by serving a 14-month tour of duty in Afghanistan. While certain politicians were failing the test of leadership in response to Hurricane Katrina, Lt. Col. Noriega was brought in to serve as Incident Commander and direct logistics at the George Brown Convention Center, helping thousands of Katrina evacuees. While certain politicians were talking about the need for immigration reform and border security, Lt. Col. Noriega was actually securing the border as the Commander for the Laredo Border Sector. Texas needs leadership by example, the type of leadership Rick Noriega has given his state and country.

For more than a decade, Rick has also been on the front lines fighting for a better Texas. He and I have stood side by side to protect and defend our children by providing children’s health insurance. We have worked together to give teachers a necessary and needed pay raise, and put more resources into public education. We have worked together to protect our environment and clean up our air, especially in places like Houston.

At this crucial time in the history of our state and nation, Texas needs Rick Noriega’s leadership in the U.S. Senate. I am grateful to my 47 colleagues in the Texas House who joined me in asking our friend and colleague to run for U.S. Senate. I have every reason to believe Lt. Col. Noriega will once again answer when duty calls.

Posted in Notes

The Texas League of Conservation Voters, a coalition of Texans committed to clean air, clean water, and access to public lands, water, fish and wildlife has recognized Rep. Pete Gallego as a 2007 “Legislative Champion” for his work on water issues.

“Rep. Gallego understands that water is the lifeblood of his district and this state, and that there is no issue more important or complex. He knows the facts, engaged in the process, and puts his nose to the grindstone to make sure things get done. His leadership and work on this issue set a high standard for all elected officials,” said TLCV Executive Director, Colin Leyden.

Ensuring that our rivers and streams maintain adequate “freshwater flows” for fish, wildlife and recreation is of critical importance to Texas’ economy and way of life. The mechanism for the state to purchase water rights to protect freshwater flows already exists in state law through the Texas Water Trust. Unfortunately, it has never been funded, and to date, the state has not purchased any water rights for “freshwater flows”.
read more…

Posted in Notes, Legislation

Earlier this week the House discussed the best plan to meet our future water needs in Texas. After hours of debate and compromise, we passed Senate Bill (SB) 3. The core of SB 3 will protect our rivers and streams for future generation and create and conserve water for all Texans. Along with passing Senate Bill 3, I am proud to say we passed another six amendments to protect our state and local water.

Until now, state law did not provide designated protection to ensure a minimum of flow in rivers and into bays and estuaries. Instead, priority is given to other uses such as agricultural, commercial, and residential uses. Water rights in several river basins have been over-permitted, and other basins likely will follow suit. SB 3 provides a means to balance agricultural, commercial, and residential needs with important environmental considerations.
read more…

Posted in Notes

Your support has been overwhelming. Over the past two weeks thousands have asked how they could help rebuild Eagle Pass. From spreading the word to friends and family to donating time and money, Texans have come together.

American Electric Power (AEP) Texas joined in to help our friends in Eagle Pass. Last week, AEP Texas not only helped get power to its customers, but also donated $10,000 to the Eagle Pass Disaster Relief Fund, which was established to assist families affected by the April 24 tornado that struck the area.

City and County officials held a news press conference at the Eagle Pass International Trade Center to announce the donation. The International Trade Center has been designated as a collection site for all donations to help families affected by the tornado. “This is a tremendous show of support for the families affected in our community,” said Chad Foster, Eagle Pass mayor. “We can always count on AEP Texas and its employees to get involved and help our community.”

Maverick County Judge Jose “Pepe” Aranda complimented the restoration efforts by AEP Texas. “I was impressed with the service restoration process that AEP Texas employees undertook after the tornado went through,” Aranda said. “Their communications and updates to us were critical because they allowed us to set up shelters and kitchens for families who were left homeless. I commend AEP Texas for working long hours to restore power and allow families to return to their homes.”

Your help is still needed.

read more…

Posted in Notes

We have asked our friends and family to help in Eagle Pass. Over 100 people have said they want to help rebuild the community for Texans like Oscar De Los Santos. After we sent out our first e-mail, Oscar was gracious enough to send me a letter telling me his personal story.

I am from Eagle Pass and just recently my home town was hit by an F4 tornado. Sorry to ask this, but I need your help to get this effort off the ground. I am attaching an email and asking if you can please circulate it and please inform people to please contact me if they would like to make a contribution.

To be honest, I am just kind of rolling with it. Yesterday when I was talking to my mom and she was telling me how she had volunteered at the local shelter all night, I was feeling frustrated and didn’t know what to do. So I got my dorm table and a popcorn bucket and started asking for donations outside on the UT campus, and its really blew up from there.

I have been talking with the Latino Leadership Council, the Mexican American Culture Committee, as well as the UT staff and they have thrown their support behind us. This morning I was on a local Austin news show rallying people to our cause. Anything you can do is appreciated. Thank you for your time and I look forward to hearing from you.

Oscar

Help out southwest Texas today. Make a donation of money, food, or clothes. A little help makes a big difference.

Posted in Notes