[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 72 (Wednesday, May 14, 2003)]
[House]
[Pages H4022-H4023]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1045
                           TEXAS LEGISLATURE

  (Mr. CULBERSON asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. CULBERSON. Mr. Speaker, I had the privilege of serving 14 years 
in the Texas House; and the Texas prisons were under the control of the 
Federal courts, the public school system there is under the control of 
the State courts, the mental health system is under the control of the 
courts. We have advocated in Texas control over too many functions of 
government to the courts. As a Member of the legislature, I fought 
tenaciously to regain control over those institutions.
  This redistricting discussion is one that the legislature is 
constitutionally obligated to do. The legislature has held hearings, as 
they are supposed to do. Anyone with an idea on how to change 
boundaries can submit those suggestions to the legislature. For the 
Texas State legislators to have shut down the entire legislative 
process really shows utter desperation. Frankly, they have resorted to 
the political equivalent of suicide bombing and blowing up the entire 
legislative process rather than debating, as they should, on the floor.
  I got out and voted in the 14 years I was there regularly, fighting 
an income tax the Democrats created. I was beat and defeated on that 
vote. Republicans were defeated on many, many votes throughout the 
years. We never walked out. We never left. They have a duty to do their 
job. They ought to be back in Austin taking care of the people's 
business.

[[Page H4023]]



                          ____________________