SEVENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE — REGULAR SESSION
AUSTIN, TEXAS
PROCEEDINGS
SEVENTEENTH DAY
(Thursday, February 13, 2003)
The Senate met at 10:00 a.m. pursuant to adjournment and was called to order by the President.
The roll was called and the following Senators were present:iiArmbrister, Averitt, Barrientos, Bivins, Brimer, Carona, Deuell, Duncan, Ellis, Estes, Fraser, Gallegos, Harris, Jackson, Janek, Lindsay, Lucio, Madla, Nelson, Ogden, Ratliff, Shapiro, Shapleigh, Staples, Van de Putte, Wentworth, West, Whitmire, Williams, Zaffirini.
Absent-excused:iiHinojosa.
The President announced that a quorum of the Senate was present.
The Reverend John Alsbrooks, First United Methodist Church, Three Rivers, offered the invocation as follows:
As we awoke this morning we acknowledged Your glory. We examined our lives to be certain we are in Your will and that we are in right relationship with You and our neighbor. We come today with thankful but troubled hearts. The condition of our world has affected each and every one of us. With the slowing of our economy and the deficit swelling, health care, the insurance rates, our education systems, and law enforcement agencies are suffering; obtaining equality and justice is in jeopardy for all. Even our safety is at question by many. We ask for Your help.
Today, we are thankful for these men and women who have given so much to serve our great State of Texas. We realize that their jobs are very difficult and that they receive very little thanks for the commitment that they have made. We thank them for their service. We know that You have placed within each of them a purpose, a purpose that You are ready to unleash in them if they will but allow You to do so. Give these our leaders the courage and boldness to claim that purpose, that vision, that dream, and give them the strength to carry out Your purpose in our lives. You have promised strength for the weak, rest for the laborers, light for the way, grace for the trials, help and love from above. Be with President Bush, Governor Perry, our Senate, our Representatives, and the leaders around the world as we all struggle for equality, justice, and peace. In His name we pray. Amen.
Senator Whitmire moved that the reading of the Journal of the proceedings of yesterday be dispensed with and the Journal be approved as printed.
The motion prevailed without objection.
LEAVE OF ABSENCE
On motion of Senator Lucio, Senator Hinojosa was granted leave of absence for today on account of important business.
CO-AUTHOR OF SENATE BILL 12
On motion of Senator Nelson, Senator Carona will be shown as Co-author of SBi12.
CO-AUTHOR OF SENATE BILL 86
On motion of Senator Wentworth, Senator Shapiro will be shown as Co-author of SBi86.
CO-AUTHOR OF SENATE BILL 124
On motion of Senator Shapleigh, Senator Lindsay will be shown as Co-author of SBi124.
CO-AUTHOR OF SENATE BILL 309
On motion of Senator Gallegos, Senator Shapleigh will be shown as Co-author of SBi309.
BIRTHDAY GREETINGS EXTENDED
The President, on behalf of the Senate, extended birthday greetings to Senator Zaffirini.
GUESTS PRESENTED
Senator Zaffirini was recognized and introduced to the Senate Pastor John Alsbrooks, who offered the invocation today, accompanied by his wife, Sharon.
The Senate welcomed Pastor and Mrs. Alsbrooks.
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON NOMINATIONS
Senator Lindsay submitted the following report from the Committee on Nominations:
We, your Committee on Nominations, to which were referred the following appointments, have had same under consideration and report them back to the Senate with a recommendation that they be confirmed:
Chair, Texas Workforce Commission:iiDiane Doehne Rath, Bexar County.
Member, State Aircraft Pooling Board:iiRichard Arthur Box, D.D.S., Travis County.
Commissioners, Texas Animal Health Commission:iiWilliam Frank Edmiston, Jr., D.V.M., Schleicher County; Rogelio "Roy" Martinez, Hidalgo County; Charles E. Real, Bexar County; Jerry P. Windham, Brazos County; Jill Bryar Wood, Hays County.
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Presiding Officer, State Board of Barber Examiners:iiRonald L. Brown, Hays County.
Members, State Board of Barber Examiners: Janie C. Garza, Hidalgo County; Taren Eugene Hollister, Harris County.
Member, Coastal Coordination Council:iiVictor Ray Pierson, Galveston County.
Members, Texas Cosmetology Commission:iiLeif Christiansen, Harris County; Philip Lapp, Parker County; Lucinda L. Shearer, Hidalgo County.
Member, Crime Stoppers Advisory Council:iiDorothy Jon Flores Spinks, Burnet County.
Members, Commission on State Emergency Communications:iiHeberto Gutierrez, Bexar County; James O'Neal, Dallas County; H. T. Wright, Caldwell County.
Members, Texas Board of Professional Engineers:iiClovis Roland Haden, P.E., Ph.D., Brazos County; William C. "Bill" Lawrence, Denton County; Gerry E. Pate, Montgomery County.
Members, Finance Commission of Texas:iiGary D. Akright, Dallas County; Kenneth H. Harris, Travis County.
Fire Fighters' Pension Commissioner:iiMorris E. Sandefer, Jr., Hardin County.
NOTICE OF CONSIDERATION OF NOMINATIONS
Senator Lindsay gave notice that he would Monday, February 17, 2003, at the conclusion of morning call submit to the Senate for consideration nominations to agencies, boards, and commissions of the state.
SENATE RESOLUTION 171
Senator Averitt offered the following resolution:
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to pay tribute to Lee Ruth Graves Campbell on the grand occasion of her 87th birthday; and
WHEREAS, Lee Ruth, affectionately known as "Grammy," is noted for her charm and generosity of spirit, and she is a respected resident of Goldthwaite; and
WHEREAS, Born to Tom Brown Graves and Rachel Amber Sullivan Graves on February 14, 1916, in Mills County, Lee Ruth Graves was one of six children; her siblings are Dr. Thomas Clark Graves, Mrs. Mabel Lillian Shetlar, Dr. John Reese Graves, Dr. Samuel Worth Graves, and Mrs. Amber Florence Turner; and
WHEREAS, Lee Ruth Graves married Howard Burns Campbell on July 18, 1942, in San Marcos, Texas; their children, Kay Claire Harward, Cecil Clark Campbell, and Sam Charles Campbell, and their grandchildren, Heather Lee Harward, Mary Catherine Campbell, Charles Cary Campbell, Clark Thomas Campbell, and Luci Claire Campbell, have been the source of much pride and joy; and
WHEREAS, Lee Ruth earned a bachelor's degree from Southwest Texas State University in 1939 and taught school for nearly 30 years; now retired, she is an active member and past president of the Mills County Retired Teachers Association; and
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WHEREAS, Known for her enthusiasm for living each day to the fullest, Lee Ruth participates in numerous community activities; she is dedicated to her work as a member of the Mills County Historical Commission, and she has devoted countless hours to the construction and maintenance of the Mills County Civic Center; she is also a member of the Mills County Chamber of Commerce and a faithful volunteer at the Mills County Museum; and
WHEREAS, She is a member of the Self Culture Club and the Daughters of the American Revolution; a former board member of the Central Texas Mental Health Mental Retardation Center, she has also given generously of her time and energy as a volunteer for the community's literacy program; and
WHEREAS, She is a lifelong member of the First United Methodist Church in Goldthwaite, where she participates in United Methodist Women and sings in the choir; and
WHEREAS, Greatly admired for her gifts as a gardener, Lee Ruth brings beauty to her home and to her neighborhood by filling her yard with irises, geraniums, caladiums, herbs, bluebonnets, and many green plants; and
WHEREAS, A beloved and respected member of her community, Lee Ruth is noted for her intelligence, her wit, her strength, and her unconditional love of others; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 78th Legislature, hereby recognize Lee Ruth Graves Campbell as a treasured citizen of Goldthwaite and our state and extend to her best wishes on the joyful occasion of her 87th birthday; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for her as a memento of this special day.
AVERITT
FRASER
The resolution was read and was adopted without objection.
GUESTS PRESENTED
Senator Averitt, joined by Senator Fraser, was recognized and introduced to the Senate Lee Ruth Campbell of Goldthwaite, accompanied by her sons, Sam Campbell and his wife, Kathy, and Cecil Campbell and his wife, Beverly.
The Senate welcomed its guests.
GUESTS PRESENTED
Senator Lucio was recognized and introduced to the Senate a delegation from Leadership Harlingen.
The Senate welcomed its guests.
PHYSICIAN OF THE DAY
Senator VanideiPutte was recognized and presented Dr. David Schnider of San Antonio as the Physician of the Day, accompanied by Dr. David Vermedahl, a student from The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.
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The Senate welcomed Dr. Schnider and thanked him for his participation in the Physician of the Day program sponsored by the Texas Academy of Family Physicians.
RESOLUTIONS OF RECOGNITION
The following resolutions were adopted by the Senate:
Memorial Resolutions
SR 163 by Shapleigh, In memory of Alejandro Acosta, Sr., of El Paso.
SR 168 by Lucio, In memory of George Odabashian of Brownsville.
SR 169 by Lucio, In memory of Guadalupe A. Fernandez of Brownsville.
Congratulatory Resolutions
SR 162 by Shapleigh, Commending Americas High School in Socorro for offering excellent educational opportunities.
SR 164 by Shapleigh, Commending Holly Cohen for her achievements in the classroom and on the soccer field.
SR 165 by Lindsay, Commending Matt Clements of Houston for achieving the rank of Eagle Scout.
SR 166 by Zaffirini, Commending the Reverend Dr. Sarah F. Davis of San Antonio for her contributions to Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church.
SR 167 by Lucio, Commending Dr. Ramiro R. Casso of McAllen for his contributions to the health care of citizens.
SR 170 by Lucio, Commending Aida Cuevas for earning the Mr. Amigo award.
SR 172 by Wentworth, Congratulating the All-Women Cheerleading Squad of Southwest Texas State University on being named national champions.
ADJOURNMENT
On motion of Senator Whitmire, the Senate at 10:23ia.m. adjourned until 1:30ip.m. Monday, Februaryi17,i2003.
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