[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 73 (Thursday, May 15, 2003)]
[House]
[Page H4178]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               THE 53 TEXAS DEMOCRATS COURAGEOUS PROTEST

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, on May 12, 2003, 53 courageous 
and selfless Democratic members of the Texas legislature departed en 
masse from the Texas Capitol in a display of protest, solidarity, and 
community pride. Included in these 53 courageous souls are Harold 
Dutton, Al Edwards, Senfronia Thompson, Garrnett Coleman, and Jessica 
Farrar from my district. Also, Joe Moreno, Kevin Baily, Scott Hochberg, 
and Rick Noriega from the Houston area.
  The Texas Democrats are protesting the new Texas Redistricting plan 
proposed by the Republican members of the Texas Legislature. This plan 
is a sham, an outrage, and an insult.
  The Republican redistricting plan is an unnecessary, partisan 
initiative. Redistricting maps are drawn the year following a state 
census. Accordingly, in 2001, the Texas district lines were drawn and 
certified by a unanimous federal district court. By law, the present 
district lines are fair to the public and both political parties. It is 
an unprecedented and possibly illegal action to redraw the lines so 
soon after a census.
  For example, the Republican goal of increasing the minority 
percentages in the 30th district could lead to that district being 
declared illegal under either the Voting Rights Act for ``packing the 
minority community'' or illegal in a racial gerrymandering challenge 
because the district as proposed under Representative King's plan is 
not narrowly tailored.
  Also, the Republican's elimination of the 24th District as a minority 
opportunity district would retrogress black voters in Texas in clear 
violation of the Voting Rights Act.
  The only possible justification for redrawing the district lines is 
so that the Republicans can advance their malicious, mean-spirited 
goals of party dominance. In advancing their partisan goals the 
historic 5th Ward will simply be destroyed.
  The Republicans have violated over 120 years of congeniality and 
compromise. During the Democrats' time as the majority party in the 
Texas legislature, bi-partisan compromise, party parity, and harmony 
was the rule of the day. The power hungry Republicans have insulted all 
Democrats by shattering this long-standing policy of working together.
  The Republican insults have stretched all the way to Washington, DC. 
The Majority Leader of the U.S. House of Representatives Tom DeLay made 
the bizarre request to have federal authorities like the U.S. Marshals 
or the FBI pursue the Democratic members of the Texas Legislature.
  The 53 Democratic members of the Texas Legislature are not criminals, 
they are champions of justice.
  There are some Republican supporters out there who have begun a mail 
campaign against the Democratic members of the Texas legislature. They 
have encouraged people to mail letters calling the Texas Democrats 
villains and scoundrels.
  The vast majority of the public, however, has spoken out in full 
support of the 53 Texas Democrats. Stanley Tolliver of Cleveland, Ohio, 
the President of the Norman S. Minor Bar Association, called in with a 
better idea. Mr. Tolliver encourages us to begin our own mail campaign 
calling the Texas Democrats what they really are--heroes and sheroes, 
patriots, the patriotic 53.
  These brave individuals are standing up for democracy. They are doing 
the work of the people of Texas, not the dirty work of Tom DeLay.
  I stand today to applaud my colleagues and friends in the Texas 
Democratic coalition. I salute you and I support you. All of us who 
believe in justice, fairness, and equality are with you in mind and in 
spirit. You are our heroes.

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