Published: 05-12-08

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Louie Gohmert (TX-01) announced today that the Columbia Space Shuttle Memorial Study Act has been officially signed into law, and he is grateful that efforts to construct a lasting tribute to the seven Columbia crew members will now be able to officially move forward. Gohmert stated:

“This is a tremendous step in truly honoring the heroic Columbia crew, their families, and the courageous east Texans who volunteered in the recovery efforts. Many people still remember the pain they felt on that fateful day when the Columbia Space Shuttle was tragically destroyed, but they will also remember that from that tragedy emerged a stronger community determined to unite together and show the world what big hearts our folks have in east Texas.

Published: 05-12-08

Appoints Eight Members to Board

AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry named Betsy Whitaker of Dallas chair of the Judicial Compensation Commission. He also appointed eight members to the commission, which was created by the Texas Legislature in 2007 to regulate the salaries of state judges.

Whitaker is a lawyer in private practice. She is a member and past president of the State Bar of Texas and a member of the Dallas Bar Association. She is also a member of the Dallas Assembly, and serves on the executive committee of the Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law and on the board of Communities in Schools Dallas. She is also a Center for American and International Law trustee and a member of the American Law Institute. Whitaker received a bachelor’s degree from Wheaton College and a law degree from Southern Methodist University. Her term expires Feb. 1, 2009.

Published: 05-12-08

AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry has appointed 10 student regents to their respective university systems and one student representative to serve on the Higher Education Coordinating Board for terms to expire May 31, 2009. In 2005, Gov. Perry signed legislation directing each public university board of regents to include one non-voting student member. In 2007, the governor signed legislation creating a student representative position on the Coordinating Board.

Higher Education Coordinating Board
Charles E. “Trey” Lewis III of Houston is a law student at the University of Houston. He is a member of Phi Beta Kappa and the National Political Science Honor Society. He is also a mentor at Mathews Elementary School. Lewis received a bachelor’s degree in government from the University of Texas at Austin.

Published: 05-12-08

Austin - State Representative Phil King (R-Weatherford) made the following statement today to residents of District 61 due to concerns over recent property tax appraisal increases:

“Many of my constituents have recently contacted me about large increases in their local property tax appraisals. This is deeply disturbing, as the Texas Legislature voted in 2006 to reduce school property taxes by a full one-third. Additionally, we went further by requiring voter approval before certain property taxes could be raised.

Published: 05-12-08
 
FREDERICKSBURG – Gov. Rick Perry today participated in the ground breaking of the 40,000 square foot expansion of the National Museum of the Pacific War, tripling the size of the current building. The museum is the only institution in the continental United States dedicated exclusively to telling the story of the Pacific Theater battles of World War II.
 
“When the men and women remembered in the National Museum of the Pacific War answered their country’s call to serve, they set aside concerns for their own safety and prepared to do whatever it took to conquer the forces of oppression,” said Gov. Perry. “Their actions have inspired our nation and the world for more than 60 years. And thanks to this museum, that story will endure and inspire for hundreds more.”