Katy Vidales stands with Governor Perry for
a photo after the Governor's press conference on
education reform at Mark Twain Middle School
last Wednesday at 11am

A Message From Katy Vidales Of The Alliance For Our Readers

South Texas Republicans, we thank you for the interest you have taken in our organization. For years, our age group has been passed over by candidates and campaigns alike for our suspected lack of civic awareness and our history of political apathy. The Texas Republican Alliance wishes to serve as a catalyst that will aid in bridging the gap between the College Republicans of Texas and candidates and to ultimately accomplish every grassroots organizations goal: To help Republican candidates get elected.  

The Texas Republican Alliance will aid candidates in two ways: 1) we will provide candidates with the strong volunteer base necessary to win an election and 2) we will host fundraisers at the grassroots level for our Republican candidates and officials.

The strong volunteer base will come from College Republican chapters from all across the great state of Texas providing Republican volunteers trained in every aspect of block-walking, phone-banking, literature dropping, road-side rallies etc. Moreover, the Texas Republican Alliance has taken the initiative to work with the future College Republicans and has aided in creating Republican organizations in high schools in Texas;  including organizations already in creation in major cities like Dallas, Texas.  The Texas Republican Alliance will continue to work with local Republican Organizations to create a strong grass-roots army to ready ourselves for crucial election years. We hope to work with your organization in our efforts to spread our ideology and continue to dominate the political world.

If there are any questions that you have feel free to visit our website that you can find at www.TRAPAC.org. Or contact me via phone at 210-268-6699. We look forward to working with you and other grassroots organizations over the years.

Sincerely,

Katy Loraley Vidales

Co-Founder and Vice -Chairman of the Texas Republican Alliance

Commentary by South Texas Republicans:  We salute Ms. Vidales and her team for launching this innovative and bold organization.  In late October, we will be hosting a fundraising reception for the Texas Republican Alliance. We encourage you to support this new organization with your resources.
 

Special Guest From Austin: Chairman Tina Benkiser Of The Republican Party Of Texas

We are pleased to announce that Texas Supreme Court Justice Phil Johnson will be joining us for a Special Presentation and Petition Signing Party in Bexar County. 

(Please bring your voter registration card. We encourage South Texas Judges to attend with their petitions by 6:00pm. There is limited space.)

Judge Joe Brown, 57th District Court, will introduce Justice Johnson. 

Special Guest:  Grace G. Kunde, Candidate for the 4th Court of Appeals

Date:  August 31, 2005 (Wednesday)

Networking Reception:  6:30pm  7:00pm

Program:  7:00pm- 8:00pm

Cost:  FREE

Complimentary VALET Parking, Courtesy of Newforest Estates

Location:  Newforest Estates, A Wellstone Retirement Community, 5034 Newforest Drive, San Antonio, Texas 78229, Phone: 210-680-3649

Click here for a MAP

175 residents of the Newforest Estates Community will be invited to this function. 

Sponsorship Levels:  Gold- $100, Silver $50, Bronze $25.  Please contact Schuylar Crist if you would like to be a sponsor of the program.

In the past four years, South Texas Republicans and Alamo City Republican Women have 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.

Gov. Perry Appoints Price as Judge of 408th District Court in Bexar County (8/23/05)

AUSTIN  Gov. Rick Perry today announced the appointment of Richard E. Price of San Antonio as judge of the 408th judicial district court in Bexar County. Price will serve for a term until the next general election when he may opt to run for a full term.   

Price is an attorney with Frank R. Rivas and Associates. He is a member of the State Bar of Texas and the San Antonio Bar Association. Price also is a member of the United States Western District Court and the William S. Sessions American Inn of Court. 

A graduate of Trinity University, Price received a masters degree from Incarnate Word University and a law degree from Washington and Lee University School of Law.

South Texas Republicans Commentary:  We would like to congratulate Mr. Price for this important appointment by Gov. Rick Perry.
 

 As a retired US Army Veteran I cannot express the emotion I felt this past Saturday in Crawford Texas.

I learned of the Support Our Troops rally in Crawford only hours before it was to start, and after working all night and getting a few hours of sleep my wife and I rose early Saturday to drive to Waco, Texas to greet the group traveling across America to tell the world that we do support our troops.

We were told there may be about 1500 people coming along, and I have never been near the Presidential Ranch I though how great an opportunity to give up some sleep to support those who stepped up to carry the torch after I retired from the Service.

We arrived in Waco about an hour ahead of schedule and about 10 people greeted us in the Wal-Mart parking lot. It did not take long for the crowd to build and before too long a semi truck arrived with hundreds of more people.

Deborah Johns and Melanie Morgan climbed aboard the flat bed trailer with bull horn in hand addressing a crowd of about a thousand people. The media were all present and the show began. Then it was time to caravan over to Crawford Texas for the real show. As we traveled there were a line of cars as far as we could see from somewhere in the middle of the seemingly endless line of vehicles.

The temperatures stared to climb from about the 90s to about 100 or better, but this did not quench the spirit of the attendees.

We arrived at the Crawford Texas fair ground and the crowds stated to build. People were suffering from the heat and some had to be evacuated by the local EMS, still this did not temper the enduring spirit and the devotees of this group. Many were former US military veterans many were mothers and fathers, uncles, aunts or just friends of those now serving in Iraq, Afghanistan and other areas of the world fighting terrorism.

 The message was crystal clear, Cindy do not dishonor your son ,support or troops and President Bush.

I am as bad at journalism as I am at estimating the size of a large group of people, but there had to be thousands, and even when we departed more were still arriving. The city of Crawford was alive with masses of people walking. One young man holding an American flag walking beat us to the main street in downtown Crawford nearly a mile from the event site, oh did I mention we were driving.

It is difficult to capture in words and pictures what I witnessed on this very special day in history, again my journalistic skills leave much to be desired. The heat was brutal but the enduring spirit of those present was not. Even those opposed to the ideals of the group were left unmolested as we who have served all know it is not the politician who gives us in America the freedom of speech, it is the Veteran who offered their lives for this freedom for us all.

God Bless Texas

God Bless America

Respectfully,

Tim Bushacker

US Army Retired
 

The Stone Oak Republicans would like to thank Senator Jeff Wentworth for being our guest speaker on August 25th, 2005. We would also like to thank The Lighthouse Cafe for hosting our second meeting.

Leadership Council Members:  DR McCale, Mike Provost, Liz Rudd, Bryan Scott and Ralph Welsh.

As I run an aggressive statewide campaign to become the Republican nominee in March 2006, Im going to need your help. This new Web site will be one of my key tools to ensure that I can continue to serve you and our beloved state as the 44th Railroad Commissioner of Texas.

Travels in the Lone Star State
In June, I headed East of Austin and visited some friends in Bastrop. Bob Long, the Bastrop GOP County Chairman was nice enough to invite me to be the keynote speaker at the monthly Republican meeting. I was so honored to be before a great group of Republicans that I would have been willing to answer questions and meet with people all evening long. Needless to say, we all had a great time.

I was also pleased to make the short drive up I-35 to Waco to speak before the McLennan County Republican Club. Virginia and County Chairman M.A. Taylor invited me to share a wonderful barbeque lunch and then speak to almost 100 excited conservatives on the beautiful grounds of the Texas Rangers Hall of Fame. It was a great opportunity to catch up with a few old friends, and make a lot of new ones.

If you would like more information on my travels, or anything else, please e-mail my office at info@elizabethamesjones.com or give me a call at 512-536-1324.

If you would like to learn more about the Texas Railroad Commission, or my job as Commissioner, please visit the Railroad Commission Web site at http://www.rrc.state.tx.us.
 

Republican National Hispanic Assembly of Hays County Host Railroad Commissioner Victor Carrillo

Time: 7:00 PM

Location:  Merrill Gardens a Retirement Residence, 1720 Ranch Road 12, San Marcos, TX 78666, 512-392-7200

For more information, or directions, Call Brian McAuliffe, Vice-Chairman RNHA of Hays County 512-554-4741

A native of Abilene, Texas, Victor Carrillo joined the Texas Railroad Commission in February 2003 when Governor Rick Perry appointed him to fill the unexpired term of Tony Garza who became U.S. Ambassador to Mexico. The Texas Railroad Commission oversees the Texas oil and gas, pipeline and mining industry. Carrillos colleagues unanimously elected him Chairman in September of 2003. In November, 2004, Chairman Carrillo won his first statewide election garnering almost four million votes and securing a six-year term of office. He is the highest-ranking Latino state official in Texas

Carrillo chaired the Governors Texas Energy Planning Council that created a Texas Energy Plan to help ensure that Texas remains the premier energy producing state in the nation.
 

Date: Saturday, September 10, 2005

Where: Horseshoe Bay Resort, Ram Rock Golf Course

Registration:  12:00 p.m.

Part 2:  Dinner Reception

Date: Saturday, September 10, 2005

Where: Horseshoe Bay Resort, Yacht Club

When: 7:00 p.m.  8:30 p.m.

Individual Tickets:  $100 (Dinner Sponsorships are available.)

Secretary of State Roger Williams conducted the official ballot drawing to determine positions for each of the 9 proposed Constitutional Amendments that will appear on the November 8th ballot.

The Texas Constitution Amendment that will protect marriage by defining it as between only one man and one woman will be Proposition 2.

Even though homosexual unions have been outlawed by Texas law for over a century, making the language part of the State Constitution will protect Texas from having to recognize same-sex unions from other states.

This is an effort that Republicans have led on for years. This vote once again showed one of the differences between Republican and Democratic lawmakers. Without the leadership of Gov. Perry, Lt. Gov. Dewhurst, Speaker Craddick, Republican House and Senate Members, The State Republican Party and thousands of pro-family grassroots supporters from across Texas, this vote would have never been possible.Read more about this, and all the other Constitutional Amendments that will appear on the November 8th ballot.

Eminent Domain passes both Chambers as legislators sine die.

During the final days of the just ended Second Called Special Session, both the Senate and the House passed a change in Texas statute that would make land grabs more difficult. Gov. Perry is being encouraged by Chairman Benkiser to sign the bill and is expected to in the coming days.

The need for this legislation was brought about by a U.S. Supreme Court decision (Kelo v. The City of New London). In this ruling, a majority of the High Court Justices expanded eminent domain procedures to private individuals or companies. By deleting the words public use and inserting public purpose the Court has opened the door for a private entity to take land from another because it serves a public purpose. Republicans in both chambers led the charge for this legislation.

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:

A) Build a strong network of supporters that are ready and willing to take action to further your cause.

B) Get the press your cause deserves by maximizing the effect of earned media.

C) Maximize the effect of your hard earned dollars by using volunteers and high-impact technology.

D) Ensure your success for your cause by learning proven GOTV and election day strategies.

And SO much more...

Please register online at www.LeadershipInstitute.org for this or other schools, or you can contact Robert Amakis, at 1-800-827-LEAD (5323). You may also e-mail Robert at RAmakis@LIMail.us

Leadership Institute
 

He will be learning a great deal from the best conservative minds in the country such as Vice-President Dick Cheney, U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert, and Senators Mitch McConnell and George Allen. There will be hands-on sessions from grassroots activism to cutting edge media strategies. There will also be national TV, radio, and newspaper reporters covering the entire conference.

While there, Schuylar expects to:

1. Recruit nationally recognized speakers for our Rough Riders of Bexar County Educational Series
2. Build new relationships with national conservative organizations and individuals for South Texas Republicans, P.A.C.
3. Utilize these contacts to gain support in terms of resources and finances for the P.A.C., and our South Texas Candidates at the state and federal levels
4. Demonstrate the strength of the Republican Party in South Texas at the grassroots level
    

The costs to attend this event will be about $1,400. The package to attend all 3 conference days (including the Presidential and Reagan dinners) and gain admittance to the exhibit halls/book signings, will cost $425. The hotel room on location (Omni Shoreham in D.C.) will cost $555 (plus tax) for all 3 nights. Roundtrip airfare is expected to run about $400 (plus tax).

Ideally, he would like the funds available before November 1st, 2005. This would allow for plenty of time planning arrival and transportation while in our nations capitol.

It would take only 28 people giving $50, 14 people giving $100, 7 people giving $200. Of course any amount you can give will put him that much closer to his goal.

Checks can be made out to Schuylar Crist, and mailed to:

9570 Autumn Shade

San Antonio, Texas

78254

You may also reach Schuylar by phone at (210) 663-6093 or via e-mail at skyskyrider@hotmail.com
 

BEXAR COUNTY REPUBLICAN WOMEN Celebrate Their 85th Birthday With Special Guest: Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison

The 85th BCRW Birthday Bash last Friday was a tremendous success.  Congratulations to President Teddy Peterson and her leadership team for organizing and conducting a first-class event at the Sonterra Country Club.

Congressman Lamar Smith was on hand to introduce Senator Kay-Bailey Hutchison. We were honored to meet the newly appointed Judge of the 408th District Court, Richard E. Price. 4th Court of Appeals Justices Rebecca Simmons & Phylis Speedlin were present. The following District Court judges were also at the luncheon:  Rene Diaz, Lori Massey, Joe F. Brown, and Mark Luitjen. State Representative Joe Strauss, III and his wife were present as well.  We spotted the following Republican Club Presidents at the event: Sandy Galvan, Freida Wright and Cheri Creekmore.

If you are going to talk about building the Party in Texas, you have got to talk about the Republican Womens Clubs.  Because I was such a pioneer going around the state, I know what it was like out there. Many times there would be Republican Womens Club before there was a county chairman or a county organization.

-Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison

Grassroots Women: A Memoir of the Texas Republican Party by Meg McKain Grier

www.politicalgrassroots.org
 

Date:  September 20, 2005

Time:  11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Location:  Oak Hills Country Club, 5403 Fredericksburg Rd., San Antonio

Special Guest Speaker:  Agricultural Commissioner - Susan Combs, candidate for State Comptroller

Cost: $17 - Personal checks ONLY made out to ACRW-PAC ($20 if reservations are made after 12:00 Noon, Friday, September 16, 2005.)

RSVP Contacts:  Barbara at 210-342-5482 or Carolyn at 210-493-6210 or you can even make your reservations on the internet at reservations@acrwomen.org. All reservations must be made by noon, Friday, September 16, 2005

TARGET 2005 in 2005!!! Your assistance is needed today!! Please help us distribute 2005 Susan Combs bumper stickers in Bexar County by December 31, 2005. FREE bumper stickers will be available at all Rough Rider and Stone Oak Republican meetings this year. Please contact Joe Solis if you would like bumper stickers sent to your club meetings for distribution. (SolisJoe@sbcglobal.net)

Commentary by South Texas Republicans: Commissioner Susan Combs has organized one of the most efficient, targeted and aggressive statewide campaigns that we have seen in years. We encourage you to get involved just to learn how a textbook campaign is executed. We salute Chris Keffer and his campaign associates for their amazing work in Austin. We predict Commissioner Combs will have the most dynamic political campaign in 2006.
 

Advancing broadband Internet is pivotal to Texas economic future, as well as to residents living in all geographic areas of our state. I urge Senator Hutchison to do the right thing on behalf of her constituents by supporting the Broadband Choice Act. Texas has too much to gain to allow our communications laws to stay trapped in the past.
 

Stonewalling: All Paths Lead to Councilman Richard Perez

We knew we were in for a bumpy ride when we discovered at the 11th hour last Thursday that a vote on an independent review wasn't on the posted agenda. The MPO (Metropolitan Planning Organization) Transportation Policy Board is subject to open meetings requirements and must have their agenda posted 72 hours before the meetings; they cannot vote on unlisted items. Commissioner Tommy Adkisson tried to single-handedly take on TxDOT and highway interest money that flows all around the courthouse and city hall by simply asking to have the item on the agenda. Adkisson can't remember a time when a Board Member's request for an agenda item was EVER turned down, much less one this crucial after loads of calls and emails asking him to include it. Wow, losing our one BIG ally as the Chair of the MPO is already proving devastating to our cause. We miss you as Chair Lyle! 


It's clear someone is wining and dining Richard Perez! Word on the street is that he has higher aspirations and is eyeing a State Rep job, instead of serving his current district 4 in San Antonio! Perez was the ONLY vote with TxDOT on the MPO Board today against having a meeting to discuss an independent review. He essentially wouldn't even vote for a discussion of it when we have a boatload of evidence that TxDOT has disappearing cash for funded highway improvements on 281, constantly shifting cost estimates, they're violating the existing highway conversion statute and that's just for starters! That's more than enough fodder for an independent review. Plus, it's the only way to get a true comparison of the costs for our highway improvements in a side by side toll vs. no toll format.  

Commissioner Adkisson was at least able to get a special meeting scheduled to discuss the parameters of the review and to rescind a key item from last month's agenda. The special meeting where they WILL FINALLY VOTE for an INDEPENDENT REVIEW is set for Wed., Aug 31 at 3 PM at the Via Metro Center at 1021 San Pedro. Councilmembers Chip Haas whose district is going to be tolled, didn't even SHOW UP at last Monday's MPO meeting and Senator Leticia Van De Putte conveniently left before a vote took place. 

If you don't want to pay toll taxes in perpetuity, WE NEED YOU AT THIS MEETING! For more info: http://satollparty.blogspot.com/

  Go to www.TexasTollParty.com and click on San Antonio to send a letter of protest.
 

JUSTICE PHYLIS J. SPEEDLIN

Justice on the Fourth Court of Appeals

Cordially invites you to attend a reception to support her re-election on Thursday, September 15, 2005 between 5:30p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at Paesanos Restaurant, located at 555 E. Basse Rd. in San Antonio.

Donor Levels As Follows:

Sponsor $1000  

Host $500 

Advocate $250   

Friend $100

Guest $50


Business Attire

Judge Phylis Speedlin's Campaign Address: 8 Waldenshire, San Antonio, Texas 78209
 

Keynote speaker: Tim Lambert, of the Texas Home Schoolers Coalition of Texas (http://www.thsc.org/)

Program title: Home schooling in Texas: A Legislative Perspective

Date: Thursday, September 22nd

Time: Networking Reception and Dinner (on your own):  6:15pm-7:00pm
Program:  7:00pm  8:15pm

Location:  Grady's BBQ; 4109 Fredericksburg Road

Sponsorships will be available

The Texas Home School Coalition is dedicated to serving the home-school
community of Texas and promoting a greater knowledge, understanding and
acceptance of home education in our state.

Rough Riders of Bexar County Logo Courtesy of Robert Sanchez-www.sanchezforcongress.com
 

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

Alamo Pachyderm Club 

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