[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 14 (Monday, January 27, 2003)]
[House]
[Page H142]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             RESIGNATION FROM THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

  The SPEAKER pro tempore laid before the House the following 
resignation from the House of Representatives:

                                     House of Representatives,

                                  Washington, DC, January 7, 2003.
     Hon. Dennis Hastert,
     Speaker, House of Representatives,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Speaker: I have had the great privilege and honor 
     to have been selected as the representative of the people of 
     the 19th District of Texas through ten elections. My service 
     in the U.S. Congress has been the most rewarding professional 
     experience of my life, and I thank every one of my 
     constituents who were kind enough to put their trust and 
     faith in my leadership.
       However, there comes a time in everyone's life when the 
     focus needs to be more on family than other things, and I am 
     at that point in my life.
       At close of business on May 31, 2003, I will resign my seat 
     as the Representative of the 19th district of Texas in the 
     U.S. House of Representatives. I have written to the Governor 
     of Texas to advise him of my decision so that he can set a 
     date to schedule an election so the people of the 19th 
     District can choose my successor.
           Sincerely,
     Larry Combest.
                                  ____



                                     House of Representatives,

                                  Washington, DC, January 7, 2003.
     Hon. Rick Perry,
     Governor of Texas, State Capitol,
     Austin, TX.
       Dear Rick: I have had the great privilege and honor to have 
     been selected as the representative of the people of the 19th 
     District of Texas through ten elections. My service in the 
     U.S. Congress has been the most rewarding professional 
     experience of my life, and I want to thank every one of my 
     constituents who were kind enough to put their trust and 
     faith in my leadership.
       However, there comes a time in everyone's life when the 
     focus needs to be more on family than other things, and I am 
     at that point in my life.
       Please accept this letter as my resignation from the office 
     of Representative of the 19th District of Texas in the U.S. 
     House of Representatives to be effective close of business 
     May 31, 2003. As I continue to serve the great people of the 
     19th district until such date, this written resignation 
     should allow you sufficient opportunity to set a date to 
     schedule an election so the people of the 19th District can 
     choose my successor.
           Sincerely,
     Larry Combest.
                                  ____


           Proclamation by the Governor of the State of Texas

       Whereas, a vacancy for election purposes now exists in the 
     membership of the United States House of Representatives from 
     the 19th Congressional District of Texas, which consists of 
     Andrews, Bailey, Cochran, Crane, Ector, Gaines, Hockley, 
     Howard, part of Lamb, Loving, Lubbock, Lynn, Martin, Midland, 
     Parmer, Terry, Ward, Winkler, and Yoakum Counties; and
       Whereas, the United States Constitution, Art. I, Sec. 2, 
     requires the executive authority of the state to issue writs 
     of election to fill such vacancies, and 2 U.S.C. Sec. 8, 
     requires that the date of such election be as prescribed by 
     state law, and Texas Election Code Sec. 204.021, requires 
     that such a vacancy be filled by special election; and
       Whereas, Tex. Elec. Code Sec. 203.004, requires that, 
     absent a finding of an emergency, the special election be 
     held on the next eligible uniform election date occurring on 
     or after the 36th day after the date the election is ordered, 
     which would be May 3, 2003; and
       Whereas, Tex. Elec. Code Sec. 3.003, requires the election 
     to be ordered by proclamation of the Governor;
       Now, therefore, I, Rick Perry, Governor of Texas, under the 
     authority vested in me by the Constitution and Statutes of 
     the State of Texas, do hereby order by this proclamation a 
     special election to be held in District 19 on Saturday, May 
     3, 2003, for the purpose of electing a U.S. Representative 
     for Dist. 19 to serve out the unexpired term of the Hon. 
     Larry Combest.
       Candidates who wish to have their names placed on the 
     special election ballot must file their applications with the 
     Secretary of State no later than 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, 
     April 2, 2003.
       Early voting by personal appearance shall begin on 
     Wednesday, April 16, 2003, in accordance with Tex. Elec. Code 
     Sec. 85.,001(a).

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