[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 35 (Thursday, March 1, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E446]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING ANN RICHARDS' EXTRAORDINARY CONTRIBUTIONS TO TEXAS AND 
                          AMERICAN PUBLIC LIFE

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. SILVESTRE REYES

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 27, 2007

  Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 42, a 
bill recognizing Ann Richards' extraordinary contributions to Texas and 
American public life.
  Before assuming the Texas Governorship, Ann Richards worked as a 
public school teacher; raised four children; and was heavily involved 
in Democratic politics. She formally entered politics in 1976, first 
serving as County Commissioner in Travis County, Texas. In 1982, Texans 
elected Ann Richards as State Treasurer, making her the first woman to 
hold a statewide office in 50 years. Ann Richards remained in this 
position until her gubernatorial win in 1991.
  Ann Richards navigated Texas politics with a high level of integrity, 
intelligence and a legendary wit as the second female governor in the 
great state of Texas, where she served from 1991 to 1995. During her 
leadership, Governor Richards emphasized ethical reform, environmental 
protection, and increased diversity in state agencies. She called for a 
``New Texas,'' where the faces of Texas leadership would mirror Texas'' 
diversity. True to her vision, she made great strides in ensuring that 
women, Hispanics, African-Americans, and the disadvantaged shared in 
Texas power and prosperity.
  I knew Ann Richards personally and am honored to support this bill. 
Ann Richards was a trailblazer in the complete sense--she won her seat 
at the table by hard work and perseverance; won the affection and 
respect of her new colleagues; and made space for historically 
uninvited guests. Texas is a better state because of Ann Richards, as 
is our Nation. I invite my colleagues in Congress to commemorate her 
courage, efforts, charisma and memory, by joining me in support of H. 
Res. 42.

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