The Laura Bush Service and Education Award is presented to the woman who most exemplifies the qualities of our First Lady, Laura Bush. Throughout her life, Laura Bush has shown a dedication to her family, her community, her country and to the welfare of children. Mrs. Bush is an extraordinary role model for all women. 

Congratulations to Jocelyn Straus. the recipient of the 2005 Laura Bush Service and Education Award !!

Her leadership, volunteerism, civic involvement and tireless commitment to the Republican Party exemplify qualities that make her an outstanding recipient of this award. Mrs. Straus serves as a role model and mentor to women of all ages.

Mrs. Straus will be honored at a reception sponsored by the Republican Business Women of Bexar County and the South Texas Republicans.

DATE:              Thursday, July 28, 2005

TIME:              6:30  8:30 P.M.

LOCATION:      The Grey Moss Inn, 19010 Scenic Loop; Helotes

COST:             $25.00

Sponsorships will be available from the Republican Business Women of Bexar County.

For more information, please contact:

Sandy Galvan                210.710.8586              sgal@satx.rr.com

Dee Momone                 210.691.3154              deemomone@satx.rr.com

Dee Brame                    210.493.5512              deeb@satx.rr.com

Laura Bush Service and Education Award Logo Courtesy of Robert Sanchez cd20conservative.org.
 

Texas Insider:  What's the Matter With Texas?By Contributing Author, Published on 6/9/2005

By Stephen Moore, Senior Economic Writer for the Wall Street Journal Journal Editorial Page.

 

If you think gridlock has taken hold in Washington, get a load of politics in the Lone Star State. What was supposed to be the most productive session of the Texas legislature in history ended last week in a legislative version of the Alamo.

Republicans control every lever of political power in Austin for the first time since Reconstruction and had promised a sweeping reform agenda. Property tax relief. Vouchers for kids in failed inner-city public schools. An end to Robin Hood school financing. And passage of a fiscally tight budget.

This entire legislative agenda was ambushed. The school voucher pilot program for 20,000 mostly minority kids was rejected by the very Democratic legislators representing the families who would have benefited from the opportunity to attend private and parochial schools that actually work. The depressing fact that nearly half of the black and Hispanic children in the state fail to graduate from public high schools wasn't perceived as a sufficient crisis to give choice a chance.

Most of the other failings of this legislature must be laid at the feet of the Republicans. The 2006-07 budget was best described by James Cardle, editor of the Texas Insider, as "an abomination and a complete breakdown of fiscal discipline." The elephantine blueprint raises biennial expenditures to $140 billion from $118 billion, or by some 18%, and that doesn't include a $3 billion supplemental quietly tacked on to the 2005 spending allotment.

On taxes, there's at least a sliver of good news to report. The dangerous idea of a business payroll tax that the Republicans had been flirting with -- and that we rang the alarm bells against last month -- has been killed. This disguised income tax scheme would have been arguably unconstitutional, detrimental to job creation, and wildly unpopular with voters who rightly cherish Texas's no-income-tax heritage.

But it's almost inconceivable that the legislature would adjourn until 2007 without chopping property taxes. Skyrocketing appraisals are taxing Texans out of their houses, and infuriated home owners are ready to march on Austin. One Dallas legislator reported that he was accosted by irate voters at his kid's swim meet this week.

Governor Rick Perry now has the unenviable job of cleaning up this mess and saving the GOP legislative majority from itself. Mr. Perry has pledged to wield his line item veto to excise some of the thick slabs of bacon in the budget. The sharper the knife the better. He has also threatened to call the legislators back into special session this summer. Sounds good: Bring them back to Austin, lock the doors, and announce that nobody leaves until they've approved his call for a cut of at least 20% in property taxes coupled with Truth in Taxation protections that require voter approval of any further local property tax hikes.

Speaker of the Texas House Tom Craddick would rather wait until the state Supreme Court commands its own school financing plan later this summer or until the Legislature reconvenes in 2007. But if property taxes aren't cut meaningfully right now, the Republicans might not be coming back to Austin after the next election.

-         http://www.texasinsider.org
 

We are proud to announce that the June 8th inaugural meeting of the Stone Oaks Republicans was a tremendous success. Our guest speaker was 57th Civil District Court Judge Joe Brown. Judge Brown gave a great presentation to a room of over 30 guests. We were honored that Judge Rene Diaz introduced Judge Brown. 
 

Many thanks to Bernadette Garcia and Annie Vidaurri from the office of Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison for attending our meeting. 

South Texas Republicans would also like to thank our supporters for helping us underwrite this new endeavor in Bexar County.

Leadership Council information:  Please contact DR McCale at McMcCale_DR@Allerga.com or Ralph Welsh at rntwelsh@satx.rr.com

Letters from our Representatives:

John Cornyn, United States Senator

June 8, 2005      

Founding Members of Stone Oak Republicans:

[Excerpts from a hand delivered letter.]

Congratulations on your inaugural meeting. Republican officeholders owe considerable credit for their achievement to grass roots Republican organizations. The area which you are organizing can be instrumental in supporting conservative leadership for Stone Oak, South Texas and our state as a whole. As an officeholder who calls San Antonio home, I have a particular interest in your effort and its success.

The people of Texas need to be heard. The time to address these matters is now. All of us who care continue to address these important matters. We know, though, that joining our voices- in organizations such as the Republican club that you are forming  results in raising the efficiency and effectiveness of our efforts. Your effort and your timing can make a critical difference.

It is an exciting time to be a Republican with the victories we have achieved. We also know that there is more work to be done. Sandy and I express our admiration as you gather for this inaugural meeting.

Sincerely,

John Cornyn
-----------------------------------------------------

Frank J. Corte Jr., Texas State Representative

To The Stone Oak Republicans:

Let me be among the first to express my appreciation and best wishes for the newly formed Stone Oak Republicans. I fully understand the effort it takes to organize a group of like-minded individuals who will step up and be counted when there needs to be a strong voice on conservative issues that are so much a part of the Republican Party. Each of you is to be commended.

Please know that I stand ready to assist you in any manner to help assure the success of this organization.

God Bless,

Frank J. Corte, Jr.

Stone Oak Republicans Logo Courtesy of Robert Sanchez cd20conservative.org.
 

Thomas Jefferson said, To compel a man to furnish funds for the propagation of ideas he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical.

Your tax dollars are being used to fight taxpayer protections.

Peggy Venable, Texas director of Americans for Prosperity, joined AFP members Janice Brauner and Judy Morris, residents of Williamson County, in filing the lawsuit. It appears Williamson County  and likely every other county in the state  pays dues to the Texas Association of Counties (TAC).TAC employs registered lobbyists and AFP has documents in which the organization works to influence legislation, something TAC has denied.   

Taxpayers should not be forced to finance lobbying activities. Taxpayer-funded groups lobby for more of our tax dollars, Venable said. It is a vicious cycle, and its fiscally, morally and ethically wrong. Additionally, it is not legal. State law (Texas Government Code 89.002) prohibits counties from spending general revenue funds to join a nonprofit state association of the counties if...neither the association nor an employee of the association directly or indirectly influences or attempts to influence the outcome of any legislation pending before the legislature...

We think it is very clear that state law prohibits counties from using taxpayer dollars for lobbying, Venable said. Former Texas Supreme Court Justice Steven Wayne Smith agrees and he is one of the attorneys representing the taxpayers. Venable continued, Though this action is against one county, we are aware this practice is widespread. We will work to see that state law is upheld and we are also committed to eliminating public dollars from all lobbying activities. 

For more information and to join the fight to end taxpayer-funded lobbying, click here: http://www.americansforprosperity.org/tx/
 

We are pleased to announce that Texas Supreme Court Justice Phil Johnson has accepted a personal invitation from Joe Solis, SREC 26, to join South Texas Republicans and Alamo City Republican Women for a special Presentation and Petition Signing Party in Bexar County.

Event details will be presented in upcoming newsletters.

This function will be FREE and OPEN to the PUBLIC.

In the past four years, South Texas Republicans and Alamo City Republican Women been honored to host the following Texas Supreme Court Justices at our events:

Chief Justice Wallace Jefferson, Justice Dale Wainright, Justice Scott Brister, Justice Paul Green and Justice David Medina.

South Texas Republicans encourages you to read articles by C.A. Stubbs at SanAntonioLightning.com.
 

____ Yes, Susan, please sign me up to support your campaign for Texas Comptroller for the Primary and general elections. Use my name publicly and please keep me posted on campaign events!!! 

Please return to Chris Keffer, Friends of Susan Combs Committee, Via fax 512/328-2194 or mail to P.O. Box 160956, Austin, TX 78716. Questions?  Please contact Chris at 512/327-3345 or Chris@susancombs.com
 

Campaign Opportunities:  County Team Member, Hosting an Event in my Community, Fundraising, Helping to Build Coalition Efforts, etc.

For more information on Susan Combs, please log on to her website at www.susancombs.com
 

Contact Schuylar Crist @ skyskyrider@hotmail.com

Letters from a South Texas Republican Reader Against a Larson Run:

Lyle Larson, the ONLY republican out of our county commissioners, needs to continue to serve Bexar county in that position. Larson has NO exposure or recognition in state politics, much less national politics. While Larson is pleasant, well spoken, I do not think his run could be successful.

For whatever reasons, Republicans at the local level in large cities, are getting few and far between. Bexar county reflects this fact. Republicans need to get together and get ONE candidate to run for an office, and throw all weight behind him or her. The democrats seem to have learned how to do this. Why can't we? Here, we have a Dem candidate (for mayor) backed by DNC and Howard Dean, and the other choice is a Dem too. Larson could have run for mayor, if he wanted to move up.
----------------------------------------------------------------

Should Lyle run? He seems to have all the attributes that are expected and NEEDED in a candidate today. Knowledge, sadly, is not the main criteria, although he is not lacking there. Given his background, education,  experience, looks, and over all presentation, yes, he would make the ideal candidate.

Texas Law that applies to Commissioner Larson

Article XVI, section 65 of the Texas Constitution provides that certain elected district, county and precinct officers who announce their candidacy for another office more than a year before the expiration of their current term of office automatically resign from office. This includes County Commissioners and State Representatives.

Concerned Citizens are encouraged to create the

CITIZENS TO RE-ELECT COMMISSIONER LARSON IN 2006 COMMITTEE
 

Time: 5:30pm  7pm

Casual Attire

RSVP to Susan Lilly via e-mail at susan@lillyandcompany.com

Im looking forward to visiting with friends at our annual Bexar County Barbecue. This years barbecue promises to be the largest yet and just as in years past the BBQ is a wonderful family event.

The event will be held Saturday, June 18th, at St. Marys Hall located at 9401 Starcrest in San Antonio. {From Loop 410W, Exit Starcrest Dr., turn right on Starcrest and St. Marys Hall is at 9401 Starcrest Dr.}

 I look forward to seeing you on June 18, if not before.

                                                           Sincerely,

                                                            Lamar Smith
                                                            Member of Congress
 

Thanks to Roger Hall for the terrific logo!
 

Proudly Presents:

Date: Thursday, June 30th, 2005
Networking Reception and Dinner (on your own):  6:15pm-7:00pm
Program:  7:00pm  8:15pm

Location: Gradys Bar-B-Q, 4109 Fredericksburg Road, (210-732-3636)
One mile South of Crossroads Mall

Platinum: $50- 3 Guest Passes/ 2 books

Gold: $40- 2 Guest Passes/ 1 book

Silver: $30- 1 Guest Pass/ 1 book

Platinum: Ted Kenyon, Steve Salyer, Darrel Brown Candidate for SD 19; Dan Montgomery (Place 5 on State Board Of Education); Robert Sanchez, Candidate U.S. Congress District 20

Gold: Jim McGrody, Reinette Alecozay

Silver: Cynthia Massey

Matt Lewis is President of the Campaign Leadership Company, based in Alexandria, Virginia. Matt served as Political Director for GOPAC, a training organization chaired by former Congressman J.C. Watts. Matt also served as Director of Grassroots for The Leadership Institute. In 2002, Campaigns & Elections Magazine selected Matt as a Rising Star of Politics.

Teaching Elephants to Talk ought to be mandatory reading for any Republican who wants to run for local or state office. It teaches lessons that some politicians spend a career before discovering. -Tom DeLay,
House Majority Leader

LIMITED SEATING: Your check by mail is your R.S.V.P.

Mailing address:  Joe Solis/South Texas Republicans, P.A.C., 10004 Wurzbach, Suite 269, San Antonio, Texas 78230.  Please make checks payable to South Texas Republicans, P.A.C. (Provide your occupation on your check.)

Please contact Joe Solis, SREC 26, by phone at: 210-725-0479 or E-mail: Solisjoe@sbcglobal.net for more information

Rough Riders Logo Courtesy of Robert Sanchez cd20conservative.org.
 

Proudly Presents!

July 21st- Chris Patterson, Texas Public Policy Foundation;

Topic: "Your Campaign: Learning about the Big Issues-
Education, Taxes, Regulation, Government."

August 18th- Dolly Gonzalez, Professional Fundraiser, based in Austin; 

Topic: Political Fundraising

Location: Grady's Bar-B-Q; 4109 Fredericksburg Road

Time:  7:00pm  8:30pm

Cost: ONLY $5
 

This is a service provided by South Texas Republicans, P.A.C.
 

Reflections on Reagan

In Case You Missed It: June 14, 2004

By Gov. Rick Perry

In a week full of fond reflections on our 40th president, my mind traveled back more than 40 years to the passing of a political legend of a previous era: Speaker of the House Sam Rayburn. My family traveled several hours from Paint Creek to Bonham just to say farewell. My father said it was our duty to honor a great life upon its completion. Many felt the same way. As an 11 year-old boy, I had little context by which to judge Speaker Rayburn except by the lasting impression made by the thousands that showed up to mourn him on a dreary November day in 1961. I could tell at that young age that this was a man by which future leaders would be measured.

Speaker Rayburn is credited with a phrase we hear often today because we must often be reminded of it: "you can disagree without being disagreeable." As I sat among the thousands in the Washington National Cathedral this past Friday, I thought what a great tribute those words are to the life of our 40th president, Ronald Reagan.

It wasnt that the 1980s was an era of political comity as some have implied  there were deep, emotional and partisan differences. But Reagan rose above the partisan rancor. With unflinching optimism, humor mixed with humility, and a clear vision communicated in simple terms, he lifted America out of the mire of self-doubt, confounding his critics and forever inspiring his supporters.

He came along just in time. Soaring inflation and interest rates, gas shortages, the hostage crisis, Watergate, the lingering shock of Vietnam and the direction of the Cold War had created a pessimistic disposition among the American People. Some speculated openly of an America in decline. Reagan spoke of an America whose best days were still ahead.

Instead of seeing the America that was, he saw the America that could be: "a shining city upon a hill" that would be a beacon of freedom for all. And even as the elites ridiculed him, the bureaucracy resisted him, and the protestors bitterly denounced him, the American people loved him.

Reagan was a leader who said what the people were thinking. He spoke strong truths with a smile, but without mincing his words. If you think Reagans sunny optimism meant he couldnt be tough, spend some time reading his old speeches starting with his famed 1964 address on behalf of Barry Goldwater. Reagan was never shy in delineating differences. He just never made it personal. And though he loved the job of president, you never felt like he needed to occupy the presidency to feel complete. How else could he tell so many jokes on himself unless he had a secure view of who he was?

The reason people admire Reagan as much as ever is not just because he was an optimist. He changed the world. For every American bowing his or her head in remembrance of this great man, there was a free citizen in Berlin, Prague and Moscow doing the exact same thing. Reagan felt a special connection to people living under the yoke of communism, and used his international pulpit to speak directly to them. And he told them the truth as they knew it with his trademark humor, as when he said that the difference between a communist and anti-communist is that one has read Marx and Lenin, and the other understands Marx and Lenin.

Ronald Reagan not only changed the world, he altered the political map. Many conservative Democrats found a safe haven just when we thought we had no home. Less than a year after Reagans presidency ended, I did something Reagan had done a quarter century earlier: I switched parties. And I was not alone. Conservative Democrats from all over this great land found a new home in the GOP, including a former Texas Aggie professor who helped lead the Reagan Revolution in Congress: Phil Gramm.

The lessons of Ronald Reagans life are many. Tell it as you see it. Say it over and over again because, if you really believe something, it bears repeating. And there is no need to resort to name-calling and bitter attacks because the people will figure out who is on their side.

These are good lessons not only for politicians, but all who weigh in on the political debate and try to impact the political discourse. As Rayburn said, and as Reagan showed, we can disagree with civility, and without damaging our political discourse.

To find out more about the Republican Party of Texas and what they are doing, check and bookmark their website: Republican Party of Texas

2004 Republican Party of Texas Platform:

http://texasgop.org/library/platform.php
 

The following clubs will be holding important events and South Texas Republicans encourages participation by local activists:

THE ALAMO PACHYDERM CLUB

Meeting Date:    Tuesday, June 14, 2005

Meeting Time:    12:00 Noon

Meeting Venue: Water Street Oyster Bar Restaurant, 7500 Broadway, San Antonio, Texas 78209

Tel: 210.829.4853

Guest Speaker:  Honorable Rene Diaz, Jr. Judge of the 224th Judicial District                                                               

Cost for Lunch:      Pachyderm Members: $15.00

                              Guests:                      $20.00

Please RSVP your attendance to Paul Coleman by June 10, 2005, at list by 4:00 PM by calling Paul at 210.333.3161 or email to his attention at Paul.Coleman@DelSecSol.com. Thank you.

THE 9TH ANNUAL ALAMO CITY REPUBLICAN WOMEN RETAMA PARK PAC FUNDRAISER

Sponsored by Alamo City Republican Women and Joe and Joci Straus

Date:  Saturday, June 18, 2005

Time:  5:00 - 6:00 pm - Cocktails (cash bar)

           6:00 - 7:30 pm - Buffet Dinner

Location:  Retama Park - Air Conditioned Trackside Showplace Pavilion

Silent Auction and Live Racing

Cost:  Retama Classic - $35/person; Breeder's Cup - $50/person ($100/couple); Winner's Circle - Table for 8 - $500; Turf Club - Table for 8 - $750; Jockey Club - Table for 8 - $1,000.  (Checks payable to ACRW/PAC)

(The Jockey Club, Turf Club, Winner's Circle, and Breeder's Cup attendees will be listed as sponsors in the evening's program.)

Deadline for reservations - June 8, 2005

Darrel Brown, Republican for Texas Senate District 19

Invites YOU to join us at our FUNdraiser at the Bandera Gun Club on Saturday, June 25, 2005
 

FEATURING

TRAP     SKEET     SKEET SCHOOL     BARBEQUE    SILENT AUCTION

Skeet School with NSSC Certified instructors starts at 12:30
 

Special FUNdraiser Prices

Skeet School (Please RSVP so we can schedule)     
$100.00  per person (Skeet School includes one barbeque ticket and one round of skeet)

Trap and Skeet                                                          
$15.00 per round (25 targets per round, pay-as-you-shoot)

Trap and skeet will start as soon as it is safe after skeet school.

Open Buffet Barbeque                                              
$25.00 per person (catered by Buzzies Barbeque )

Barbeque starts at 6:00; Bid on the Silent Auction until 7:00

Ammunition will be available for purchase at the Gun Club

Come out and support Darrel Brown in his campaign for the Texas Senate!

For more information, contact us at (830) 460-7476 or (830) 796-1410

or by e-mail at BrownforSD19@starband.net

RSVP by mail to: P.O. Box 3008, Bandera, TX 78003
 

Northwest Republicans

Date: June 28th at 6:30pm

Location: Sea Island Restaurant at 11715 Bandera Rd at Bandera Point (Rt. 1604 and Rt. 16)

Speaker: Texas State Representative Frank Corte, District 122

Cost: Free

Contact: Karen Stewart: Phone: (210) 488-3108 or email: gospursgo10@hotmail.com

Fundraiser For 224th District Court Judge Rene Diaz

When: Wednesday, July 6th

Time: 5:30pm-7:00pm

Where: Fairmont Hotel, located at 401 S. Alamo Street

Contact: Melynda Gulley via phone @ 210-828-9162 or via e-mail: melynda_gulley@sbcglobal.net

Do you have event information?
You can reach Schuylar either by phone at (210) 663-6093 or via e-mail: skyskyrider@hotmail.com

Click here to view the calendar for details on these and other events