It Takes an Engaged Community to Prevent Child Abuse
by Anita Perry, First Lady of Texas
Growing
up in a small Texas town, I lived in a world where everyone knew
everyone else’s business. As a child, my neighborhood friends were
constantly in and out of each other’s houses and parents frequently
socialized while the kids played outside. I am convinced that
engagement with the community around us created accountability for
people to remain on their best behavior, and encouraged neighbors to
support each other when someone couldn’t carry the burdens of life on
their own.
It is difficult to care for those in our community if we
don’t know them. These days, emailing, chatting online, or talking on
the phone make up the bulk of our social interaction, but we cannot let
that hinder efforts to be tangibly involved with the people around us.
Such a connection will ensure the safety and health of our most
precious citizens – our children.
According to the Texas
Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS), more than 240,000
cases of abuse or neglect were reported in 2007. Among these reports,
more than 71,000 abuse victims were confirmed, resulting in almost
16,000 children being removed from their homes. Sadly, 223 children
lost their lives as a direct result of abuse by a parent, guardian or
caregiver. To what degree could these statistics change if neighbors
simply paid more attention to the families around them?
Appropriately,
April is designated as Child Abuse Awareness Month. As the weather
warms, kids are playing outside more often and parents are striving to
keep up with their children’s various activities. Such circumstances
present an opportunity to explore ways in which we can support positive
family environments, and more importantly, ensure that the children
around us are properly cared for.
As a former nurse, I saw firsthand
the disturbing and damaging effects of family abuse. Every involved
parent knows that raising a child can be one of the greatest blessings
in life, but is not without moments of trial, stress and worry.
Sometimes such challenges – or more serious factors like substance
abuse, financial stress or depression – will cause a parent to engage
in the unthinkable act of physically abusing their children. It is also
proven that parents who suffered abuse as children are more likely to
become abusers themselves.
It is time for us to renew our
commitment to the prevention and eradication of child abuse. Simple
actions like volunteering to baby sit a neighbor’s children or offering
encouraging words to a frustrated parent can make a significant
difference. Even greater sacrifices like becoming a foster parent or
permanently adopting a foster child, will only accelerate our progress.
As
first lady, I have seen Texas take remarkable measures to counter the
trend of this problem. In 2004, my husband called for comprehensive
Child Protective Services (CPS) reforms, and thanks to our
legislature’s action, CPS investigator daily caseloads have dropped
steadily from an average of 43 in 2005 to 25 in 2007. The number of
children removed from their homes also decreased by an estimated 1,500
since 2005 and is projected to drop by more than 400 children this
year. While these successes are significant, the struggle is far from
over.
This month, DFPS is launching a statewide campaign – “It's Up
To You” – which provides a wealth of resources created to educate
Texans on how to get personally involved in stopping child abuse and
support those affected by it. Please visit www.ItsUpToYou.org or the
DFPS general website, www.dfps.state.tx.us, to access resources and
ideas.
I urge all Texans to remain mindful that our children are
the future of the Lone Star State. Children of all ages deserve to live
and thrive in environments free from harm. As a civilized society, we
must diligently and relentlessly work until child abuse is relegated to
the dustbin of history. Until then, we must remain committed to giving
children every opportunity to live free from victimization so they may
mature into successful adults. Ultimately, their success will be Texas’
success.
Attorney General Abbott Obtains Judgment That Brings Relief To Foreclosed Homeowners
Foreclosure Assistance Solutions and owners must return $475,000 to harmed homeowners
SAN
ANTONIO – Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott has shut down a fraudulent
“foreclosure rescue” firm that preyed on hundreds of struggling Texas
homeowners.
An order by the Bexar County District Court requires
Foreclosure Assistance Solutions Inc. of Florida, and its principal
operators, Herb Zerden and Adolfo Quintero, to return $370,000 to 338
Texas homeowners. Additional defendants J.W.W. Services Inc. of
California and owner John Woodruff are also included in the judgment.
Another $105,000 will be held in escrow to assist remaining homeowners
who can demonstrate they were victimized by this scheme.
“At a
time when regulators, policy makers and stakeholders are working to
help struggling families, unscrupulous operators are scheming to
profiteer at homeowners’ expense,” Attorney General Abbott said. “These
defendants charged large fees and failed to deliver on their false
promises. This legal action shuts down an unlawful scheme to defraud
Texas homeowners.”
According to a 2007 enforcement action filed
by the Attorney General’s Office, the defendants’ unlawful foreclosure
rescue scams targeted struggling Texas homeowners who fell behind on
their mortgage payments. Documents filed with the court indicate the
defendants’ fraudulent advertising promised they could save homeowners
from imminent foreclosures. Unfortunately for many struggling
homeowners, the guarantee turned out to be false.
On Sept. 14,
the Attorney General obtained a temporary restraining order and asset
freeze that preserved the companies’ assets during the state’s
investigation. The court expanded that order on Sept. 27, adding tough
injunctive terms that severely restrained the defendants’ business
practices.
The defendants mailed cards and letters to homeowners
whose mortgage payments were delinquent and therefore approaching
foreclosure. In correspondence with homeowners, the defendants claimed
to have solid relationships with mortgage companies and banks
nationwide. As a result, they promised, Foreclosure Assistance
Solutions could stop the foreclosure process. Homeowners who contacted
Foreclosure Assistance Solutions were urged to pay the defendants
$1,200 immediately.
Under the contract Foreclosure Assistance
Solutions provided its customers, homeowners were prohibited from
contacting their mortgage lenders. Yet once homeowners paid the $1,200
fee, they were largely ignored. Many homeowners who repeatedly called
the company heard nothing in return. As a result, many homeowners lost
their homes to foreclosure.
Today’s settlement requires the
defendants to pay $100,000 in civil penalties and $175,000 in
attorneys’ fees. The judgment also prohibits the defendants from
conducting Texas-based mortgage foreclosure mitigation in the future.
Consumers
who encounter this or similar practices that may violate the law may
call the Attorney General’s toll-free complaint hotline at (800)
252-8011 or file a complaint online at www.texasatttorneygeneral.gov.
FEDERAL AID PROGRAMS FOR TEXAS EMERGENCY DISASTER RECOVERY
Following
is a summary of key federal disaster aid programs that can be made
available as needed and warranted under President Bush’s major disaster
declaration issued for Texas.
“Emergency” is any occasion or
instance in which the president determines that federal assistance is
needed to supplement state and local efforts to save lives and protect
property and public health and safety or to avert the threat of a
catastrophe in any part of the United States.
Assistance for the State and Affected Local Governments Can Include as Required:
•
Emergency protective measures limited to direct Federal assistance for
removing debris from public areas and for emergency measures taken to
save lives and protect property and public health will be provided at
75 percent Federal funding.
• Initial FEMA-administered aid is
limited to $5 million. If limit is exceeded, the president reports on
the nature and extent of continuing emergency assistance requirements
to Congress before approving further federal aid.
How to Apply for Assistance:
•
Application procedures for local governments will be explained at a
series of federal/state applicant briefings with locations to be
announced in the affected area by recovery officials. Approved public
repair projects are paid through the state from funding provided by
FEMA and other participating federal agencies.
FEMA coordinates the
federal government’s role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the
effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters,
whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.
New Home Equals New Memories with ABC’s ‘Extreme Makeover: Home Edition’
Local
independent sales consultant Delinda McLaughlin announced that the
company she represents, Creative Memories, had a hand in making the new
home featured in a recent airing of "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" a
dream come true for Ju-Juanna Latif, a single mother of four living in
Wilmington, Del.
Creative Memories donated $10,000 worth of its
scrapbooking and memory-celebration products so that Latif could keep a
visual record of the family’s transition from its old house to its new
home. Products included Creative Memories’ premier photo-safe albums
and accessories, tools for creating traditional and digital memory
books, photo organizers and home décor items such as wall displays and
frames.
McLaughlin said it was an honor for Creative Memories to
play a role in such a popular and meaningful show. "We were thrilled to
be selected by ‘Extreme Makeover: Home Edition’ and to learn that our
albums and frames were being used by the Latif family to celebrate and
treasure this amazing moment in their lives."
Company co-founder
Rhonda Anderson said Creative Memories and "Extreme Makeover: Home
Edition" share a passion for storytelling. "The show chronicles the
story of a deserving family whose life is transformed by their move
into a new home. At Creative Memories, we’re dedicated to helping
people tell their stories by developing products they can use to
preserve and showcase memorable events."
Said McLaughlin: "It’s
wonderful to know that the same Creative Memories products I use with
my customers here in Spearman are being used by the Latif family to
celebrate this exciting time. I can only imagine all of the beautiful
memories they will keep forever."
Creative Memories is dedicated to
preserving the past, enriching the present and inspiring hope for the
future. As a leader in the memory-celebration industry for more than 20
years, Creative Memories specializes in selling premium-quality,
photo-safe albums, scrapbooking materials, digital photo books, photo
organization software and custom framing products.
Based in St.
Cloud, Minn., Creative Memories markets its products at in-home
get-togethers through more than 60,000 independent sales consultants in
nine countries around the world. More information about Creative
Memories and its products, services and career opportunities can be
found at creativememories.com.
"Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,"
which has won back-to-back Emmy Awards as Best Reality Program
(non-competitive), is in its 5th season on ABC. The program is produced
by Endemol USA, a division of Endemol Holding. Denise Cramsey is the
executive producer, and David Goldberg is the president of Endemol USA.
Access to Justice for Victims of Violent Crime
By Texas Supreme Court Justice Harriet O’Neill
Every day throughout Texas, victims of domestic
violence and other violent crimes are struggling to regain control of
their lives. In addition to dealing with the emotional trauma of the
experience, they often face complicated legal issues resulting from the
crime. For example, victims of domestic violence may need protective
orders; abuse victims may need assistance with housing issues; and
children left parentless due to a crime might be faced with
conservatorship issues.
For those who cannot afford a lawyer, these crucial
needs go unmet. But help is available. Legal aid organizations provide
free legal assistance to low-income Texans with civil matters,
including problems arising due to violent crimes.
National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (April 13-19) is
an appropriate time to shine a light on the programs to which people
can turn. During this week, a special toll-free hotline
(1.800.622.2520) will be available to provide information and referrals
for low-income victims of violent crimes in Texas who need legal help.
The hotline is available 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. central standard time
and gives callers the opportunity to speak to a licensed Texas
attorney. If more assistance is needed, callers will be referred to
local legal aid organizations. In addition to the hotline, people with
Internet access may visit www.TexasLawHelp.org, a Web site offering a
free database of legal aid providers.
Thanks in part to funding from the Texas Access to
Justice Foundation and the Texas Office of the Attorney General, legal
aid organizations are giving hope to thousands of victims of crime and
their families each year. Legal aid offices offer a wide range of
services, including securing protective orders, obtaining child custody
and support, providing assistance in applying for Crime Victims’
Compensation funds, obtaining access to mental health services and much
more.
As an example, Della* has custody of her 13-year-old
niece and 16-year-old nephew. The children’s father is deceased and
their mother is unable to care for them. The nephew was stabbed in the
neck by gang members and suffered brain damage. Della lacked the legal
authority to make medical decisions for him, so she sought assistance
through legal aid. A legal aid organization helped Della obtain the
authority to make medical decisions for her nephew and assisted her in
filing a claim with the Crime Victims’ Compensation Fund. With legal
help, Della was able to give her nephew the comfort and medical care he
needed.
If you know a victim of crime—or if you have been a
victim—you know how hard the aftermath can be. Victims of crime should
not have to face the justice system alone. Resources are available.
Those who need help should call the hotline. Getting the support of a
skilled lawyer during this trying time can help provide access to
justice and peace of mind.
--
Justice Harriet O'Neill was elected to the Texas
Supreme Court in 1998 and re-elected to a second term in 2004. She is a
member of the Texas Access to Justice Commission and a liaison to the
Texas Access to Justice Foundation.
*Name changed to protect the privacy of the client.
Consumer Alert:
Check the Source of Online Health Information
When
it comes to something as important as health and wellness, Texans
seeking more information should always consult their doctor or licensed
healthcare professional. According to a recent Pew Internet and
American Life Project study, every day an estimated eight million
Americans search the Internet for health care information. But Texans
should never solely rely on a Web site to diagnose or treat a serious
illness. Equally important, Internet users should always pay close
attention to their information source.
Although many Web sites offer
informative, helpful information about a variety of health and
lifestyle issues, not every site can be trusted for accurate, factual
material. Texans who consult the Internet for health care information
should always pay close attention to who or what operates their favored
Web sites.
In some cases, what appears to be medically-oriented Web
site may actually be an advertising tool for a third party with a
financial incentive to exaggerate or downplay a product’s benefits or
dangers. For example, Web-based law firm advertising is particularly
common among Web sites that are dedicated to certain specific illnesses
or prescription medications. In fact, a recent study revealed that
Internet searches for medical information produced results that were
“dominated by Web sites paid for and sponsored by either class action
law firms or legal marketing sites searching for plaintiff referrals.”
In
contrast, an unbiased online information source might include a broader
spectrum of data about a given subject matter. For example, Web sites
created by reputable organizations like the American Cancer Society and
the American Heart Association often feature peer-reviewed medical
journals and other impartial research sources. In addition, many
government agencies, including the Food and Drug Administration, impose
similarly rigorous standards upon any research included on their Web
sites.
But even trusted, verifiable online information cannot be
relied upon to treat serious ailments or answer critical medical
questions. Texans should always contact a licensed medical professional
whenever their health is at risk. An in-person visit to a doctor’s
office or local clinic is the best way to ensure patients are getting
accurate information that is tailored to their unique health needs.
Texans
who have encountered misleading or deceptive medically-oriented Web
sites may file a complaint with the Office of the Attorney General by
calling (800) 252-8011 or visiting our Web site at
www.texasattorneygeneral.gov.
Scammers Taking Advantage of New Federal Economic Stimulus Package
Texans
should be aware of a scam that has emerged in connection with the
proposed federal economic stimulus package. Under recently passed
legislation, the IRS will mail tax rebate checks to eligible Texans
over the next few months. President Bush has indicated he will sign the
package into law on Wednesday.
Several Texans recently filed
complaints with the Office of the Attorney General after receiving
unsolicited e-mails and telephone calls from purported IRS agents
claiming that the taxpayers are eligible for “Bush refunds.” The
scammers demand taxpayers’ Social Security and bank account numbers,
claiming the IRS will use the information to directly deposit “rebate
checks” into the taxpayers’ accounts.
This is outright identity
theft fraud. The IRS does not call or e-mail taxpayers unexpectedly to
demand personal information for direct deposits. Taxpayers solicited in
this manner should just hang up or delete the e-mail.
Texans who
have received these bogus solicitations can file a complaint with the
IRS at www.irs.gov or by calling (800) 829-1040. Consumers also can
report such calls to our office.
Identity Thieves Impersonate Texas Banks
A
new identity theft scheme is targeting Texans, particularly those who
bank at Amarillo National Bank, a legitimate Texas financial
institution. Spoof e-mails are directing Amarillo National Bank
customers to call a telephone number and confirm their personal
information. Customers who make the call do not actually reach their
hometown banker, but instead end up on the telephone with a scam artist
who wants to steal their identity.
This type of scam, also known as
“phishing,” typically involves e-mails that falsely appear to have been
sent by trusted and well-known institutions, such as large banks or
popular Internet-based merchants, like eBay and PayPal. In the latest
twist, however, identity thieves are clearly targeting Texans by posing
as trusted local institutions.
The Office of the Attorney General
first learned of the Amarillo National Bank scam when its own employees
received a series of e-mails with the subject line: “New Message From
Amarillo National Bank.” The e-mails read, in part:
We recently
reviewed your account, and we suspect an unauthorized ATM based
transaction. Therefore as a preventive measure we will temporary limit
your access to sensitive features. To ensure that your account is not
compromised please call our security center ... and verify your
identity to prevent deactivation.
If this is not completed by Dec
15, 2007, we will be forced to suspend your account indefinitely, as it
may have been used for fraudulent purposes.
The message provides a
toll-free number for consumers to call and furnish their personal
information. However, neither the e-mail nor the telephone number is
affiliated with Amarillo National Bank.
As always, Texans should
NEVER provide personal information in response to unexpected e-mails or
telephone calls, even if they appear to be from a respected local
institution.
The Office of the Attorney General is working with
Amarillo National Bank and Texas banking groups to remind consumers
that no legitimate institution sends e-mails or places calls to their
clients threatening to suspend their accounts unless they immediately
provide personal information. Texans who receive these types of e-mails
or telephone calls should simply delete the message or hang up on the
caller.
Office Supply Scams
Several
businesses recently complained to the Office of the Attorney General
about invoices they received for office supplies that were never
ordered, including paper, toner cartridges and other office products.
Business
owners should be aware that scam artists often send fraudulent billing
invoices to companies of all sizes, hoping that the accounting
department will simply pay the bill. Crooks count on the business’s
failure to confirm that a purchase order was issued or that goods
actually arrived.
Office supply schemes can take multiple forms. In
one variation, the scam artist simply sends an invoice without ever
delivering any products. Other thieves send merchandise that the
business did not order and charge a price that dramatically exceeds
what the same supplies would cost at a local retailer. If the invoices
are unpaid, scammers try to intimate the businesses with threatening
telephone calls and letters.
Most office supply scammers are based
in other states, so Texas businesses can only communicate with them by
telephone or e-mail. Businesses that attempt to question the invoices
are often met with vague statements claiming that “someone” at the
company ordered the supplies.
By law, businesses that receive
unordered merchandise are under no obligation to pay to return the
unwanted products. Generally, these items can be considered a gift.
Otherwise, the retailer that sent the merchandise must pay to retrieve
it within a reasonable period of time at no expense to the business. A
scam artist will seldom bother to do so.
Businesses should consider
alerting all employees about office supply scams, not just those who
work in accounting and billing departments. Some scammers are known to
dial random numbers throughout a business until they find an
unsuspecting employee who will “accept” the unordered merchandise.
According to some reports, employees have also been persuaded to fill
out sweepstakes forms without realizing that the fine print committed
their company to buy unwanted, overpriced supplies.
Businesses that
receive fraudulent invoices or unordered supplies, or are subjected to
bogus collection threats or any other scam should file a complaint with
the OAG Consumer Protection Division by calling (800) 252-8011 or
visiting the OAG Web site at www.oag.state.tx.us.
High Plains water quality varies from state to state
The
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) released a report today describing
water-quality conditions in the High Plains aquifer. The High Plains
aquifer, which encompasses an eight state region from South Dakota to
Texas, is the most heavily pumped aquifer in the nation. The report
represents the first systematic assessment of water quality in this
nationally important aquifer and concludes that water produced by
domestic, public supply, and irrigation wells in the aquifer generally
was acceptable for most uses, although differences in water quality
among aquifer subunits exist.
The Ogallala Formation in the
southern High Plains, Texas, had the poorest water quality and the
Ogallala Formation in the central and northern High Plains, Colorado,
Kansas and Nebraska, had the best water quality. Although the majority
of water pumped from the High Plains aquifer is used for irrigation,
nearly two million people depend on it for drinking water.
Although
the USGS study did not analyze drinking water after treatment, the
results from domestic supply wells were compared to federal
drinking-water standards.
According to USGS scientist Peter
McMahon, “Most exceedances of primary and secondary drinking-water
standards were for arsenic, dissolved solids, fluoride, iron,
manganese, and nitrate. The most frequently detected pesticide
compounds were atrazine and deethylatrazine, whereas the most
frequently detected volatile organic compound was chloroform. None of
the pesticide compounds or volatile organic compounds exceeded a
primary drinking-water standard.”
The USGS report is based on
analysis of ground-water samples from nearly 500 wells that were
collected between 1999 and 2004. The study was designed to broadly
characterize water quality throughout the aquifer and to understand the
natural and human factors controlling water quality.
“The largest
concentrations of human-made contaminants were found in shallow ground
water. Although the shallow ground water is not typically used as a
drinking-water supply, concern arises where it may be hydrologically
linked to deeper parts of the aquifer. The study shows that long-term
pumping of irrigation and public supply wells, and leakage down
inactive irrigation wells, are considered to be major processes for
moving contaminants from near the water table to deeper zones more
rapidly than would occur otherwise under natural conditions” said
McMahon.
The combination of chemical inputs to the water table
from land surface and mixing in the aquifer by pumping has resulted in
gradual increases in concentrations of contaminants such as nitrate and
dissolved solids in the ground water.
Once contaminated, deep
zones in the aquifer where production wells are screened are not likely
to be remediated quickly because of long ground-water residence times
in the aquifer and slow rates of contaminant degradation. The study
found that deep ground water in some parts of the aquifer was about
10,000 years old, indicating that it was recharged near the end of the
last Ice Age. That old water still contains small amounts of nitrate of
natural origin that was present at the time of recharge.
“The
availability and sustainability of water supplies in the High Plains
aquifer are influenced by many factors, one of which is water quality.
This water-quality assessment establishes a regional baseline against
which water-quality conditions can be tracked over time and provides
process-level understanding to help explain observed changes,” said
McMahon.
The High Plains aquifer encompasses parts of Colorado,
Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, and
Wyoming.
The report, “Water-Quality Assessment of the High Plains
Aquifer, 1999–2004”, Professional Paper 1749, is available at
http://pubs.usgs.gov/pp/1749/, or by calling 1-888-ASK-USGS, or by fax
303-202-4693.
In Preparing for Disasters, Who You Gonna Call? Try 2-1-1
by Linda Anderson, 979-862-1460, lw-anderson@tamu.edu
Fires
... floods ... hurricanes ... Sometimes the best way to survive a
disaster - natural or otherwise - is to get out of its way.
But
evacuation plans shouldn't be spur-of-the-moment, said Janie Harris,
Texas Cooperative Extension housing and environment specialist. Routes,
meeting places and contacts should all be mapped out ahead of time and
shared with everyone in the family.
But what if you don't have a
vehicle or have some physical or medical condition that limits your
ability to take care of yourself?
Call 2-1-1, said Harris, who also is co-chair of Extension's emergency management steering committee.
"2-1-1"
was designated by the Federal Communications Commission to provide
health and human services information and referral, said Deborah
Ballard, development specialist with 2-1-1 Texas Information and
Referral Network. It is also useful during emergency situations.
Not
all states have 2-1-1 services, but Texas has offered it since 2004,
Ballard said. According to its Web site at http://www.211texas.org/,
2-1-1 Texas "is a free, easy-to-remember phone number connecting
callers with health and human services in their community."
This
service is available at all times - not just in emergencies - to
provide information on such community resources as rent and utility
assistance, food, emergency shelters, employment help, medical and
mental health services, transportation and suicide intervention
counseling, the Web site information continued. Information on
affordable child care, caring for an aging relative and disaster
recovery is also provided.
The number can also be a valuable
source of information when individuals or families are making plans for
dealing with emergency situations, Harris said.
Hurricanes Katrina
and Rita two years ago emphasized how vital it is to have evacuation
plans in place. But getting out of the way of a storm isn't always as
easy as it sounds, she said. Some people can't leave on their own.
Anyone
who will require assistance if an evacuation is necessary can register
with 2-1-1 ahead of time, Harris said. That includes anyone who will
need transportation assistance, help with routine activities, or who
has disabilities such as blindness, hearing impairment, amputation or
mental retardation. Those who are under daily nursing care or are
monitored by equipment will also require assistance in evacuations, as
will children younger than 18 who have no adult supervision.
The
service is handled through 23 information centers throughout the state,
Harris said. When someone registers, the technician who answers the
phone asks questions such as name, address and phone number, and an
emergency contact's name, relationship and phone number. The technician
also asks if any pets or service animals will also need to be evacuated
and if the person registering has any special medical needs.
This
information is fed into a database maintained by an agency at the
University of Texas and from there is available to local emergency
management officials and agencies which will be coordinating evacuation
plans, Ballard said.
These agencies vary from county to county, Harris said, and might include the American Red Cross or the United Way.
Anyone
who might require this kind of assistance should register now, she
said, because even though hurricane season - which started June 1 - has
been quiet so far, there's no guarantee it will remain that way.
"You
need to do this before a disaster occurs to give (officials) time to
coordinate with the local evacuation (plans)," Harris said. "When you
have a situation, it's too late."
USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENT ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR RURAL ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT LOAN PROGRAM
TEMPLE, TEXAS, March 3, 2008 - Scooter Brockette, Acting State
Director of USDA Rural Development, announced today the Agency is
accepting applications for the Rural Economic Development Loan Program
until June 30, 2008.
USDA Rural Development Business Programs administer loans and
grants designed to strengthen the economy and infrastructure of rural
areas. The purpose of the Rural Economic Development Loan Program is to
provide zero-interest loans to electric and telephone companies who are
USDA Rural Development borrowers not delinquent on any Federal debt or
in bankruptcy proceedings. This entity establishes a revolving loan
fund that can be used for community facilities and infrastructure. The
funds support financing job creation projects and economic development
within rural areas. A third-party recipient may be a private or public
organization having corporate and legal authority to incur debt.
The Rural Economic Development Loan Program has approximately $33
million available on a competitive basis nationwide. Completed
applications must be postmarked and submitted to the Texas USDA Rural
Development Office, 101 South Main, Suite 102, Temple, Texas 76501 or
submitted electronically at http://www.grants.gov no later than June 30,
2008. An application must contain all of the required elements to
prevent negatively impacting the overall score.
USDA Rural Development works to ensure that rural citizens can
participate fully in the global economy by providing technical
assistance, funding, and other programs that help rural Americans build
strong economies to improve their quality of life. For additional
information or an application package, contact Billy Curb at (254)
742-9780. For further information regarding USDA Rural Development
Programs, visit our web site at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov.
Reflections on King, candidates and movements
By Barbara Ransby, April 3, 2008
On the 40th anniversary of the assassination of the Rev. Martin Luther
King Jr., we would do well to remember an observation by the
civil-rights organizer Ella Baker: “Martin didn't make the movement,
the movement made Martin.”
The same can be said of both Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton.
Veteran organizers from around the country have lent their experience,
wisdom and passion to both of these campaigns, and a history of
struggle for civil rights and women’s rights has catapulted them
forward.
Interestingly enough, both candidates lay claim to the mantle of the civil-rights movement.
Clinton, the admitted Goldwater girl, went to Selma and recalled the
impact of hearing King speak in 1963 in Chicago as a transformative
moment.
In January, on Martin Luther King Day, she also stood in the pulpit
of Ebenezer Baptist Church and told her audience that it was she who
was the daughter and beneficiary of the movement’s victories. She
offered her own telling analysis of what she viewed as the linchpin of
victory for the civil-rights movement: It was having a president
willing to put into law the demands of a mass movement led by King.
Obama laid claim to the inheritance of the civil-rights movement by
deeming the freedom fighters of the 1960s as the “Moses Generation”
that led black people out of slavery. That makes Obama and his peers
the “Joshua Generation.”
At one debate, the candidates were asked why Martin Luther King
would endorse them. Obama’s answer was also telling and quite true.
“I don’t think Dr. King would endorse any of us,” Obama said. “I
think what he would call upon the American people to do is to hold us
accountable.” And he added: “I believe change does not happen from the
top down. It happens from the bottom up. Dr. King understood that.”
We forget that lesson at our peril.
Many Americans are so hungry for an end to the horrendous Bush
administration that like a love-starved person they view their new
prospect through rose-colored glasses.
The lesson from King’s life is that King was not the answer. As
Obama often says in his speeches, “We are the leaders we have been
waiting for.” Nothing could be more to the point.
Barack Obama won’t save us.
Hillary Clinton won’t save us.
Through our own determined efforts, we have to save ourselves.
That process will continue well beyond November 2008 no matter who is in the White House come January.
Barbara Ransby is an associate professor in the department of
African American Studies and History at the University of Illinois at
Chicago. She is the author of the award-winning biography, “Ella Baker
and the Black Freedom Movement: A Radical Democratic Vision.” She can
be reached at pmproj@progressive.org.
Texas Tourism Launches New Advertising Campaign Introducing On-Line, Interactive "Trip Planner" Tool & New Driving ToursTravelTex.com Gets a Refreshed Look and Added Features to Align with New Campaign
AUSTIN
– Gov. Rick Perry today announced that Texas Tourism, the official
tourism marketing organization for the State of Texas, launched a new
television advertising campaign featuring some of the most unique and
exciting places to be found in the Lone Star State.
"From our miles
of coastline to the deserts of West Texas, the rich cultural tapestry
of South Texas and the majesty of our State Capitol, Texas offers
visitors from across the state and around the world an unparalleled
experience," said Gov. Perry. "Once you visit Texas, you may never want
to leave."
As part of an integrated campaign that also includes
print and Internet elements, the new ads capture the emotional moments
and diverse experiences that await Texas visitors. The television ads
will begin airing on national cable channels on Feb. 11, 2008. The
campaign’s print and internet ads debuted in Jan. 2008. The effort will
also target travelers from Texas’ top international markets through
print and Internet advertising.
Texas Tourism also announced the
introduction of "Trip Planner," a new interactive planning tool on
TravelTex.com, the official Web site of Texas Tourism. With Trip
Planner, visitors can access pre-planned itineraries that correspond to
the new advertising campaign or learn about new driving tour adventures
around the state. The television and print ads can be viewed on the
site as visitors plan their trips.
"Texas offers a wide variety of
destinations and experiences. We’ve captured these unique activities,
adventures, and family fun in our new advertising campaign," said Julie
Chase, Chief Marketing Officer for Economic Development & Tourism,
a division of the Office of the Governor "With the new campaign and the
online, interactive ‘Trip Planner,’ it has never been easier to plan a
trip to, and through, Texas."
Trip Planner offers three distinct areas of planning:
#
The "As Seen On" section allows visitors to explore locations featured
in the new print and TV advertising campaign. "As Seen On" provides
visitors with a chance to vividly experience the Lone Star State while
planning their Texas vacation.
# The "TexTrips" section provides
inspiration for planning Family Fun, Big City Sights, Fresh Air, Sea
and Surf, Native Sounds, Texas Canvases, or Lone Star Destinations
itineraries on an interactive Texas map.
# The enhanced "Driving
Tours" section offers five driving tours, including two new routes
–"Great Hikes," which takes outdoor enthusiasts to some of the top
hiking destinations in West Texas, and the "Wildlife Tour," which shows
off some of our state’s more exotic wildlife and interesting natural
wonders.
In the near future, Trip Planner will offer visitors an
interactive tool that will help create customized Texas itineraries.
Please visit www.TravelTex.com to explore the new site.
Tourism is
one of the largest industries in Texas, employing 521,000 Texans. In
2006, travelers spent almost $54 billion in Texas. Travel expenditures
generated $2.7 billion in state taxes and $930 million in local taxes.
For more information on Texas travel events and vacation destinations,
visit www.TravelTex.com or for a free Texas State Travel Guide call
1-800-8888-TEX.
TEXAS MONTHLY OIL AND GAS STATISTICS
March Permits to Drill
The
Commission issued a total of 1,754 original drilling permits in March
2008 compared to 1,711 in March 2007. The March total included 1,517
permits to drill new oil and gas wells, 48 to re-enter existing well
bores, and 189 for re-completions. Permits issued in March 2008
included 318 oil, 432 gas, 950 oil and gas, 49 injection, two service
and three other permits.
* * * * * *
February Crude Oil Production
Texas
preliminary February 2008 crude oil production averaged 939,897 barrels
daily, up from the 905,111 barrels daily average of February 2007.
The
preliminary Texas crude oil production figure for February 2008 is
26,317,119 barrels, an increase from 25,343,105 barrels reported during
February 2007.
* * * * * *
March Oil & Gas Completions
In
March 2008, operators reported 456 oil, 800 gas, 42 injection and zero
other completion compared to 370 oil, 697 gas, 12 injection and five
other completions during March 2007.
Total well completions for 2008 year to date are 4,018 up from 3,683 recorded during the same period in 2007.
Operators
reported 580 holes plugged and three dry holes in March 2008 compared
to 536 holes plugged and seven dry holes in March 2007.
* * * * * *
Februar Natural Gas Production
Texas
oil and gas wells produced 479,246,697 Mcf (thousand cubic feet) of gas
based upon preliminary production figures for February 2008, up from
the February 2007 preliminary gas production total of 435,771,712 Mcf.
Texas production in February 2008 came from 136,807 oil and 80,556 gas wells.
* * * * * *
March Texas Oil & Gas Drilling Permits & Completions by District
RRC District: (1)SAN ANTONIO AREA: Permits To Drill Oil/Gas Holes: 83; Oil Completions: 28; Gas Completions: 14
RRC District: (2) REFUGIO AREA: Permits To Drill Oil/Gas Holes: 76; Oil Completions: 23; Gas Completions: 46
RRC District: (3) SOUTHEAST TEXAS: Permits To Drill Oil/Gas Holes: 70; Oil Completions: 49; Gas Completions: 47
RRC District: (4) DEEP SOUTH TEXAS: Permits To Drill Oil/Gas Holes: 126; Oil Completions: 2; Gas Completions: 77
RRC District: (5) EAST CENTRAL TEXAS: Permits To Drill Oil/Gas Holes: 60; Oil Completions: 3; Gas Completions: 97
RRC District: (6) EAST TEXAS: Permits To Drill Oil/Gas Holes: 192; Oil Completions: 10; Gas Completions: 146
RRC District: (7B) WEST CENTRAL TEXAS: Permits To Drill Oil/Gas Holes: 70; Oil Completions: 3; Gas Completions: 6
RRC District: (7C) SAN ANGELO AREA: Permits To Drill Oil/Gas Holes: 205; Oil Completions: 87; Gas Completions: 46
RRC District: (8) MIDLAND: Permits To Drill Oil/Gas Holes: 282; Oil Completions: 119; Gas Completions: 4
RRC District: (8A) LUBBOCK AREA: Permits To Drill Oil/Gas Holes: 69; Oil Completions: 41; Gas Completions: 0
RRC District: (9) NORTH TEXAS: Permits To Drill Oil/Gas Holes: 369; Oil Completions: 71; Gas Completions: 240
RRC District: (10) PANHANDLE: Permits To Drill Oil/Gas Holes: 152; Oil Completions: 20; Gas Completions: 77
* * * * * *
February Texas Top Ten Oil producing Counties Ranked by Preliminary Production
COUNTY - CRUDE OIL (BBLS)
1. GAINES - 2,088,783
2. ANDREWS - 1,879,468
3. YOAKUM - 1,878,145
4. HOCKLEY - 1,438,066
5. ECTOR - 1,409,535
6. SCURRY - 1,114,483
7. UPTON - 982,528
8. PECOS - 970,778
9. MIDLAND - 841,903
10. CRANE - 713,190
* * * * * *
February Texas Top Ten Gas Producing Counties Ranked by Preliminary Production
COUNTY - TOTAL GAS (MCF)
1. PANOLA - 21,334,856
2. ZAPATA - 21,028,676
3. FREESTONE - 20,713,348
4. HIDALGO - 18,134,626
5. PECOS - 18,066,486
6. JOHNSON - 16,220,585
7. TARRANT - 15,976,180
8. ROBERTSON - 15,308,731
9. WEBB - 14,961,952
10. WISE - 12,974,835
For
a faxed copy of this news release, contact the RRC Public Information
Office at (512) 463-6710.To be removed from this e-mail distribution
list, simply reply to this message requesting removal.
RRC news releases are also available on the Commission website: www.rrc.state.tx.us
* * * * * *
RRC Production Statistics and Allowables for May 2008
The
Texas average rig count as of April 18 was 873, representing about 50
percent of all active land rigs in the United States. In the last 12
months, total Texas reported production was 340 million barrels of oil
and 6.6 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. Texas natural gas
production represents approximately 29 percent of total U.S. natural
gas demand.
The Commission’s estimated final production for
February 2008 is 27,788,246 barrels of crude oil and 493,669,008 Mcf
(thousand cubic feet) of gas well gas.
The Commission derives final
production numbers by multiplying the preliminary February 2008
production totals of 26,317,119 barrels of crude oil and 420,967,859
Mcf of gas well gas by a production adjustment factor of 1.0559 for
crude oil and 1.1727 for gas well gas. (These production totals do not
include casinghead gas or condensate.)
Texas natural gas storage
reported by the Commission for March 2008 is 223,277,982 MCF compared
to 273,663,502 MCF in March 2007. The April 2008 gas storage estimate
is 231,638,076 MCF.
The Texas Railroad Commission’s Oil and Gas
Division set initial May 2008 natural gas production allowables for
prorated fields in the state to meet market demand of 18,137,377 Mcf
(thousand cubic feet). In setting the initial May 2008 allowables, the
Commission used historical production figures from previous months,
producers’ demand forecasts for the coming month, and adjusted the
figures based on well capability.
These initial allowables will be adjusted after actual production for May 2008 is reported.
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It Takes an Engaged Community to Prevent Child Abuse
by Anita Perry, First Lady of Texas
Growing up in a small Texas town, I lived in a world where everyone knew everyone else’s business. As a child, my neighborhood friends were constantly in and out of each other’s houses and parents frequently socialized while the kids played outside. I am convinced that engagement with the community around us created accountability for people to remain on their best behavior, and encouraged neighbors to support each other when someone couldn’t carry the burdens of life on their own.
It is difficult to care for those in our community if we don’t know them. These days, emailing, chatting online, or talking on the phone make up the bulk of our social interaction, but we cannot let that hinder efforts to be tangibly involved with the people around us. Such a connection will ensure the safety and health of our most precious citizens – our children.
According to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS), more than 240,000 cases of abuse or neglect were reported in 2007. Among these reports, more than 71,000 abuse victims were confirmed, resulting in almost 16,000 children being removed from their homes. Sadly, 223 children lost their lives as a direct result of abuse by a parent, guardian or caregiver. To what degree could these statistics change if neighbors simply paid more attention to the families around them?
Appropriately, April is designated as Child Abuse Awareness Month. As the weather warms, kids are playing outside more often and parents are striving to keep up with their children’s various activities. Such circumstances present an opportunity to explore ways in which we can support positive family environments, and more importantly, ensure that the children around us are properly cared for.
As a former nurse, I saw firsthand the disturbing and damaging effects of family abuse. Every involved parent knows that raising a child can be one of the greatest blessings in life, but is not without moments of trial, stress and worry. Sometimes such challenges – or more serious factors like substance abuse, financial stress or depression – will cause a parent to engage in the unthinkable act of physically abusing their children. It is also proven that parents who suffered abuse as children are more likely to become abusers themselves.
It is time for us to renew our commitment to the prevention and eradication of child abuse. Simple actions like volunteering to baby sit a neighbor’s children or offering encouraging words to a frustrated parent can make a significant difference. Even greater sacrifices like becoming a foster parent or permanently adopting a foster child, will only accelerate our progress.
As first lady, I have seen Texas take remarkable measures to counter the trend of this problem. In 2004, my husband called for comprehensive Child Protective Services (CPS) reforms, and thanks to our legislature’s action, CPS investigator daily caseloads have dropped steadily from an average of 43 in 2005 to 25 in 2007. The number of children removed from their homes also decreased by an estimated 1,500 since 2005 and is projected to drop by more than 400 children this year. While these successes are significant, the struggle is far from over.
This month, DFPS is launching a statewide campaign – “It's Up To You” – which provides a wealth of resources created to educate Texans on how to get personally involved in stopping child abuse and support those affected by it. Please visit www.ItsUpToYou.org or the DFPS general website, www.dfps.state.tx.us, to access resources and ideas.
I urge all Texans to remain mindful that our children are the future of the Lone Star State. Children of all ages deserve to live and thrive in environments free from harm. As a civilized society, we must diligently and relentlessly work until child abuse is relegated to the dustbin of history. Until then, we must remain committed to giving children every opportunity to live free from victimization so they may mature into successful adults. Ultimately, their success will be Texas’ success.
| Attorney General Abbott Obtains Judgment That Brings Relief To Foreclosed Homeowners
Foreclosure Assistance Solutions and owners must return $475,000 to harmed homeowners
SAN ANTONIO – Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott has shut down a fraudulent “foreclosure rescue” firm that preyed on hundreds of struggling Texas homeowners.
An order by the Bexar County District Court requires Foreclosure Assistance Solutions Inc. of Florida, and its principal operators, Herb Zerden and Adolfo Quintero, to return $370,000 to 338 Texas homeowners. Additional defendants J.W.W. Services Inc. of California and owner John Woodruff are also included in the judgment. Another $105,000 will be held in escrow to assist remaining homeowners who can demonstrate they were victimized by this scheme.
“At a time when regulators, policy makers and stakeholders are working to help struggling families, unscrupulous operators are scheming to profiteer at homeowners’ expense,” Attorney General Abbott said. “These defendants charged large fees and failed to deliver on their false promises. This legal action shuts down an unlawful scheme to defraud Texas homeowners.”
According to a 2007 enforcement action filed by the Attorney General’s Office, the defendants’ unlawful foreclosure rescue scams targeted struggling Texas homeowners who fell behind on their mortgage payments. Documents filed with the court indicate the defendants’ fraudulent advertising promised they could save homeowners from imminent foreclosures. Unfortunately for many struggling homeowners, the guarantee turned out to be false.
On Sept. 14, the Attorney General obtained a temporary restraining order and asset freeze that preserved the companies’ assets during the state’s investigation. The court expanded that order on Sept. 27, adding tough injunctive terms that severely restrained the defendants’ business practices.
The defendants mailed cards and letters to homeowners whose mortgage payments were delinquent and therefore approaching foreclosure. In correspondence with homeowners, the defendants claimed to have solid relationships with mortgage companies and banks nationwide. As a result, they promised, Foreclosure Assistance Solutions could stop the foreclosure process. Homeowners who contacted Foreclosure Assistance Solutions were urged to pay the defendants $1,200 immediately.
Under the contract Foreclosure Assistance Solutions provided its customers, homeowners were prohibited from contacting their mortgage lenders. Yet once homeowners paid the $1,200 fee, they were largely ignored. Many homeowners who repeatedly called the company heard nothing in return. As a result, many homeowners lost their homes to foreclosure.
Today’s settlement requires the defendants to pay $100,000 in civil penalties and $175,000 in attorneys’ fees. The judgment also prohibits the defendants from conducting Texas-based mortgage foreclosure mitigation in the future.
Consumers who encounter this or similar practices that may violate the law may call the Attorney General’s toll-free complaint hotline at (800) 252-8011 or file a complaint online at www.texasatttorneygeneral.gov.
FEDERAL AID PROGRAMS FOR TEXAS EMERGENCY DISASTER RECOVERY
Following is a summary of key federal disaster aid programs that can be made available as needed and warranted under President Bush’s major disaster declaration issued for Texas.
“Emergency” is any occasion or instance in which the president determines that federal assistance is needed to supplement state and local efforts to save lives and protect property and public health and safety or to avert the threat of a catastrophe in any part of the United States.
Assistance for the State and Affected Local Governments Can Include as Required:
• Emergency protective measures limited to direct Federal assistance for removing debris from public areas and for emergency measures taken to save lives and protect property and public health will be provided at 75 percent Federal funding.
• Initial FEMA-administered aid is limited to $5 million. If limit is exceeded, the president reports on the nature and extent of continuing emergency assistance requirements to Congress before approving further federal aid.
How to Apply for Assistance:
• Application procedures for local governments will be explained at a series of federal/state applicant briefings with locations to be announced in the affected area by recovery officials. Approved public repair projects are paid through the state from funding provided by FEMA and other participating federal agencies.
FEMA coordinates the federal government’s role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.
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TSTA Endorses Rick Noriega for U.S. Senate
TEXAS STATE TEACHERS ASSOCIATION
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 6, 2008
Contact: Joe Bean, TSTA Public Affairs, 512-476-5355, ext. 1233; joeb@tsta.org
"Rick
Noriega has been a great friend of Texas educators and Texas children
throughout his five terms in the Texas House of Representatives.
Contrast that with the incumbent U.S. senator, who consistently votes
against the best interests of Texas children, Texas educators and Texas
schools," Texas State Teachers Association President Donna New Haschke
said in announcing the 65,000-member organization's endorsement in the
U.S. Senate race.
"And Rick is an American hero. He served for
14 months on active duty in Afghanistan, where he commanded an infantry
unit. When he got home to Houston, he led the city's relief efforts for
Hurricane Katrina evacuees," Haschke continued.
In the Texas House, Noriega:
- Passed a pay raise for Texas teachers in 2007.
- Fought for more funding for Texas public schools.
- Fought against siphoning off public money to benefit private schools.
- Fought for a fairer, more accurate accountability system to replace the misuse of high-stakes standardized testing.
- Fought higher education tuition deregulation to keep college affordable for students who want to become teachers.
- Worked to get more accurate count of the young Texans who drop out of school.
"Rick
will continue working on these important issues in the U.S. Senate. He
will fight against the misguided use of high-stakes standardized
testing in No Child Left Behind and fight against attempts to rob
public schools to pay for private school vouchers," Haschke said.
"This
is the best opportunity Texas educators have had in a long time to
elect a good friend and strong ally to represent our state in the U.S.
Senate. We need to do all we can to make that happen," the TSTA
president added.
Rick's Story
Rick
Noriega is no stranger to public service. Having served in both the
armed forces and in public office, he is prepared to restore integrity
in the U.S. Senate.
Click on one of the following links to read more about Rick:
A Native Houstonian
Answering the Call in the Armed Forces
Early Public Service in Texas
An Effective and Accomplished Texas Representative
Answering the Call Once More
Rick's Family Life
A Native Houstonian:
Rick
was raised in Houston, Texas. He graduated from Mt. Carmel High School
in 1976 and attended Alvin Junior College on a Rusk athletic
scholarship. It was during these formative years that he learned to
work hard to get far in life.
In
1984, Rick completed his undergraduate education with the help of an
ROTC scholarship at the University of Houston, receiving his commission
in the United States Army. He went on to earn a Master's Degree in
Public Administration in 1990 at the Harvard University John F. Kennedy
School of Government, where he was an editor of the Harvard Journal of
Hispanic Policy. (Back to top)
Answering the Call in the Armed Forces:
Rick
felt compelled to answer the call and serve in the U.S. Army in the
wake of the 1979 Iran hostage crisis. He was an airborne school and
service commander of the 143rd Infantry Detachment (Long-Range
Surveillance), an aide to Brigadier General David Heuer, and
aide-de-camp to General Samuel Turk, Adjutant General of the Texas Army
National Guard.
But Rick's
service in the Army did not end there. He became a Lieutenant Colonel
in the Texas Army National Guard, and served as deputy garrison
commander of the KMTC training facility in Kabul, Afghanistan after
9/11. Rick was deployed in Afghanistan for a total of 14 months until
August 2005, and he was also the Laredo Border Sector Commander in
Operation Jump Start during the summer of 2006.
Upon
his return from Afghanistan, Rick was tapped by Mayor Bill White as
Incident Commander of Houston's Hurricane Katrina relief efforts at the
George R. Brown Convention Center. His leadership with the military, as
well as his record in community service, was crucial as the GRB was
transformed into a virtual city that cared for nearly 30,000 evacuees,
and was then dismantled in the course of less than a month. At the
center, Rick coordinated medical, employment, travel, housing and food
services for more than 2,000 evacuees living on-site.
(Back to top)
Early Public Service in State Government:
Upon
his return to Houston, Rick became project manager for Communities in
Schools. He also taught for the Houston Independent School District and
Houston Community College System before becoming a staffer in the Texas
State Senate.
As
a staff member, Rick coordinated the passage of the current 911 Poison
Control law. He joined Houston Industries, Inc., (now CenterPoint
Energy, Inc.) as part of the Governmental Affairs department in
November 1993. He became a manager of economic development for
CenterPoint Energy after winning the Democratic nomination for State
Representative, District 145, in the spring of 1998. (Back to top)
An Effective and Accomplished Texas Representative:A
67% majority in the 1998 general election sent Rick to the Texas House
of Representatives, where he took his first oath of office on January
12, 1999. During his first term, he authored or sponsored legislation
relating to economic development, emergency repairs for schools,
tougher penalties for selling inhalants to minors, regulating
automobile title services in Harris County to reduce fraud, financial
aid for custodial grandparents, and tuition assistance for some Texas
Army National Guard members.
Rick
was re-elected to a second term in the Texas House in November 2000,
where he continued to serve on the Human Services and Transportation
Committees. His legislative package increased benefits for custodial
grandparents; established a memorial to honor Texas hero Juan Seguin;
removed the statute of limitation for prosecution of fatal-hit and-run
accidents and required bilingual notices to residents living near
convicted sex offenders.
The most significant accomplishment of Rick's second session in 2001 was passage of House Bill 1403.This
was an historic bill, making Texas the first state in the country to
provide in-state tuition rates and financial assistance for certain
immigrant children; today, thousands of them are attending college.
To
date eight other states, have passed or proposed similar eligibility
programs and, in Congress; first, Senator Orrin Hatch (Utah) and
currently others have brought forward The DREAM Act, to accomplish the
same purpose at the federal level.
For
his courage in authoring HB 1403 and his leadership in shepherding the
bill through the legislative process, Rick received numerous awards
including one from the Texas Association of Bilingual Educators, Texas
LULAC. He was also selected by the Texas Association of Chicanos in
Higher Education (TACHE) and Hispanic Journal
as "2001 Legislator of the Year." The government of Mexico honored
Rick with the Ohtli Award in 2002, presented to U.S. citizens of
Mexican descent who have distinguished themselves in public service.
Rick was elected to his 4th term in the Texas House of Representatives
in November 2004, at the same time as he was serving his state and his
country in the US Army, training a new Army for Afghanistan. His wife,
Melissa Meisgeier Noriega, made history when she was sworn in as his
temporary replacement for the 79th Legislature on January 11, 2005, and
she served in his stead on the Corrections and Defense Affairs and
State and Federal Relations committees. (Back to top)
Answering the Call Once More:
During
the summer of 2007, Rick was drafted by activists, both online and
offline, to run for U.S. Senate. Our nation is headed in the wrong
direction, and Rick is ready to stand up for those who have been
marginalized by the Bush administration. Rick is proud of how much he
has accomplished by living up to high standards, and intends to
dedicate himself toward restoring integrity in the U.S. Senate. He is
honored by the draft effort and is answering the call to run for Senate
in 2008 – but he can't do it without your help.
Rick's Family Life:
Rick
and his wife, Melissa, were married on Valentine's Day in 1991.
Melissa shares her husband's passion for public service, and she was
elected as a member at large to the Houston City Council in July 2007.
The
Noriegas have two sons, Alex and Ricky Jr., and are members of Christ
Church Cathedral in downtown Houston. Though busy, Rick works hard to
balance his life as a Representative, husband, and father.
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