Gonzales Says She Is Proud Status Quo No Longer Acceptable In The House

Seconding the nomination of State Rep. Joe Straus (R-San Antonio) to be Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives, State Rep. Veronica Gonzales (D-McAllen) praised Straus as a real leader. Telling the House that the world  already had “Joe the Plumber,” she moved his nomination and that he be elected by acclimation. 

The full text of her seconding speech is below:

In the city of San Antonio, there is a family that has lived out what it really means when we say that Texans stand tall. They’re the type of people who are not comfortable sitting on the sidelines. They don’t expect government to solve all our problems and they’re not going to wait for somebody else to step up. I am speaking of the Strauses. Joe and Joci Straus, Joe’s parents, actively devote their time and considerable talents to improving their community. Tackling tough problems, from helping prevent teen pregnancy to stepping up to support the arts, Joe and Joci Straus have made it their mission to make their community a better place to live, work, and raise a family. What is clear to every member of this body is that Joe and Joci Straus instilled in their son those same values. They’re here today and for the example that they’ve set for all of us and for the legacy they’ve left us in their son and our colleague Joe Straus, I ask you to join me in recognizing them.

 

Over the last year, the words “hope” and “change” have been widely used, some may say over-used. But one thing we can definitely take from that is whether you are a Republican or a Democrat, as I am proud to be, the status quo is no longer acceptable. This has been the trend nationwide, and it is no different here in Texas, or for that matter, in the Texas House of Representatives.

 

Change has occurred. Our body is now made up of 74 Democrats and 76iRepublicans. As a Democrat, naturally I had hoped that we’d be electing a Democratic speaker this session, but with numbers so close, I take comfort in knowing that bills will live or die based on their merit and not based on party affiliation, and that members will, by necessity, be required to work together. And under such an atmosphere, it is more critical than ever that our leader, our speaker, be an advocate of the same spirit of cooperation. That is why I am honored today to second the nomination of Representative Joe Straus of San Antonio as speaker of the house.

 

The last week-and-a-half has been a whirlwind for the members, for the media, but most particularly, I imagine, for Representative Joe Straus. Joe has been referred to as moderate, young, energetic, well-rounded, independent, a man of integrity, easy going, and a person willing to work with others. Critics have pointed out that he has only two sessions under his belt and say he is politically inexperienced, but I see it differently.

 

Joe Straus is relatively young. I can tell you that I view the ’40s and ’50s much differently now that I’ve crossed over that side of the hill. Joe has shown himself to be independent on more than one occasion, voting against what might

 

be viewed as his party’s position. And if you ask anyone who has worked with Joe, he is always willing to extend his hand and to work alongside you to make a bill better or to advance good public policy.

 

And as for experience, well, I for one do not believe that political experience equates to effectiveness. Rather, I believe it is the character of the man or woman that should be judged.

 

Joe Straus is a real leader, evident from the fact that he has the confidence to surround himself with others who can challenge his opinion. One of Joe Straus’ first hires is former Democratic member Clyde Alexander as his chief of staff. That’s a sign not just of bipartisanship, but of intellectual maturity. It is that spirit of cooperation that the country and that our constituents have been yearning for. It is that spirit of cooperation and that desire to do what’s right that will hopefully restore civility to the Texas House.

 

I know this session will bring many challenges. Our national economy is extremely weak, and while Texas has not felt the effects to the same degree as other states, we too have limited dollars to fund unlimited needs in a state that is highly diverse and that continues to grow in population. Whether you live in North, West, East, or South Texas, as I do; whether your city borders Oklahoma or New Mexico or the country of Mexico, as mine does; whether you are rural or urban or a combination of the two, as my area is; we share many values, to provide a good and equitable education to our children; to take care of the health needs of Texans, especially the youngest and the oldest; to create jobs that fuel our economy; permit families to put a decent roof over their head and provide for themselves; to keep our citizens safe; and the list continues.

 

I hope that this session those shared values that unite us will be bigger than us and more important than the past struggles that have divided us. I appreciate the immense responsibility that awaits us and what better way to start than to elect as speaker of the house a man who may not have all the experience in the world, who has not been grooming himself for this position, but who has a strong admiration for this institution, who views diversity as an asset, not a liability, and who is willing to step up to make Texas better for all Texans.

 

Ladies and gentlemen, we’ve had “Joe the Plumber,” and now please join me in electing Joe Straus as speaker of the Texas House of Representatives. May God bless each of you, and may God bless Texas. 

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