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<DIV class=OutlookMessageHeader dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Tahoma
size=2>-----Original Message-----<BR><B>From:</B> TX Democratic Party
[mailto:democrats@txdemocrats.org]<BR><B>Sent:</B> Sunday, May 27, 2007 12:35
AM<BR><B>To:</B> zappa2004@earthlink.net<BR><B>Subject:</B> Sign the Petition to
Craddick: Let the Will of the House Prevail<BR><BR></FONT></DIV>
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<P><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Dear fellow Democrats,</SPAN> </P><BR>
<P><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Last night, Speaker Tom Craddick reduced
the Texas House from a deliberative legislative body to his own personal
dictatorship. I was appalled by what I saw and want to make sure
that you know what happened last night. The <STRONG>chaotic
breakdown on the floor of the Texas House is the culmination of four years
of failed Republican leadership</STRONG> that has repeatedly turned
its back on the best interests of Texans in a blind pursuit
of power.</SPAN> </P><BR>
<P><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Here are a few news accounts that explain
the bizarre series of events:</SPAN> </P><BR>
<P><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Dallas Morning News, May 26,
2007, <EM>House in Uproar Over Craddick</EM> </SPAN></P>
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<P><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">The historic move followed a outburst
in the House hours earlier in which Mr. Craddick warned he would not
entertain an effort to unseat him, refused to explain his decision, and
abruptly recessed the House for 2 ½ hours. He left the chamber, flanked
by his closest allies, as angry Craddick foes threw up raucous jeers and
shouts.</SPAN> </P><BR>
<P><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">One Craddick supporter screamed back at
the speaker's opponents, "This is anarchy!" </SPAN></P><BR>
<P><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Some Democrats approached the dais and
tried to turn on microphones to record their objections, but they were
stopped by the House sergeant-at-arms and his staff. And when the House
returned to business two hours later, House members commenced with a
dramatic grilling of Mr. Craddick that, with the House gallery packed
and cheers erupting, resembled a public inquisition.
</SPAN></P></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>
<P><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><A
href="http://kdeif.com/fs/distribution:tb/_a_/type=l/_a_/distribution_jcebky1jajssobw/jioq5x14yviw35l?done=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.txdemocrats.org%2Fcraddickpetition"
target=_blank>Sign the Petition to Craddick: Let the Will of the House
Prevail</A></SPAN> </P><BR><BR>
<P><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Houston Chronicle, May 26, 2007,
<EM>Texas Legislature ignites with push to oust Craddick</EM> </SPAN></P>
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<P><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Parliamentarian Denise Davis promptly
resigned, as did Deputy Parliamentarian Chris Greisel. Craddick
immediately replaced them with former state Reps. Ron Wilson, D-Houston,
and Terry Keel, R-Austin.</SPAN> </P><BR>
<P><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Rep. Charlie Geren, R-Fort Worth,
objected to the new parliamentarians, saying they had been lobbying
members this week to stay loyal to Craddick.</SPAN>
</P></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>
<P><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Austin American-Statesman, May 26, 2007,
<EM>Mutiny in Texas House</EM></SPAN> </P>
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<P><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">When Craddick refused to recognize
[Rep. Jim] Dunnam [D] for a motion to elect a new parliamentarian,
Dunnam asked, "Does anybody's voice in this chamber matter other than
yours?"</SPAN> </P><BR>
<P><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">"We're going to follow the House
rules," Craddick responded.</SPAN> </P><BR>
<P><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">"When?" Dunnam shot back.</SPAN>
</P></BLOCKQUOTE><BR>
<P><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">The Texas House is in the final few days
of the 80th Regular Session - a session where Craddick has repeatedly
failed to bring bills sponsored by Democrats and certain Republicans who
have opposed him to the floor and where much of the State's business has
been ignored. <STRONG>Speaker Craddick's abuse of power has created
a crisis that threatens the legislature's ability to address the basic
needs of Texas families and communities. </STRONG></SPAN>
</P><BR><BR>
<P><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><A
href="http://kdeif.com/fs/distribution:tb/_a_/type=l/_a_/distribution_jcebky1jajssobw/jioq5x14yviw35l?done=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.txdemocrats.org%2Fcraddickpetition"
target=_blank>The business of the State of Texas is more important than
any one person - sign the petition asking Tom Craddick to
resign.</A></SPAN> </P><BR><BR>
<P><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><STRONG>Even Republicans recognized that
Craddick's actions last night were unacceptable:</STRONG></SPAN> </P><BR>
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<P><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Rep. Todd Smith, R-Euless, said, "It is
clearly an abuse of power in an office."</SPAN> </P><BR>
<P><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">"I knew we had a speaker," state Rep.
Charlie Geren, R-Fort Worth, said. "I didn't know we had a
dictator." </SPAN></P><BR>
<P><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Rep. Brian McCall, R-Plano, said
Craddick's abrupt adjournment was a "total disregard for the body and
the process."</SPAN> </P></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>
<P><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Democrats and Republicans are both
outraged and frustrated by the actions of a Speaker who has pursued
partisan power and catered to special interests at the expense of the
people of Texas. <A
href="http://kdeif.com/fs/distribution:tb/_a_/type=l/_a_/distribution_jcebky1jajssobw/jioq5x14yviw35l?done=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.txdemocrats.org%2Fcraddickpetition"
target=_blank>I hope that you will join me and ask him to follow the will
of Texans by signing the petition</A>. </SPAN></P><BR>
<P><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><STRONG>Texans deserve
better.</STRONG></SPAN> </P><BR>
<P><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Your friend and fellow Democrat,</SPAN>
</P>
<P><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><IMG height=47 alt=" "
src="http://www.txdemocrats.org/img/BoydSig.jpg" width=200 border=0
NOSEND="1"> </SPAN> </P>
<P><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Boyd L. Richie</SPAN> </P><BR>
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