Laredo hearing reinforces
opposition to redistricting

By Paul de la Peña-Franceschi

Hundreds of Laredoans expressed their views on redistricting at the June 28 Senate redistricting hearing at Texas A&M International University. Among those who voiced protest of the special session called by Governor Rick Perry to discuss a Republican-backed proposal for redistricting of the state's Congressional districts were Mayor Betty Flores, Webb County Commissioner Judith Gutierrez, and Michelle Raymond, wife of State Rep. Richard Raymond.
At a prior House redistricting meeting in Brownsville, proceedings were disrupted by angered citizens who disagreed with the Republican-sponsored redistricting proposals that essentially dismantle congressional districts across the state. At one point, members of the LULAC and G. I. Forum began the pledge of allegiance but the members of the committee did not stand up until they were urged to do so. They eventually stood, averting a riot. Additionally, the Brownsville hearings were not certified for lack of a quorum. In Nacogdoches, the House hearings were also not certified for lack of a quorum, and in Houston, over 300 LULAC members were not allowed to testify because they had the wrong registration cards.
The Senate hearing in Laredo went off without a hitch. There were a few tense moments when two self-proclaimed Republicans gave testimony. Calling themselves "coconuts" and "sellouts," the Mendez brothers were unable to rile the staunch opponents to the special session and the Republican sponsored redistricting plan.
The chairman of the Senate redistricting committee is Robert Duncan (R- Lubbock), and co-vice-chairmen are Mario Gallegos (D-Houston) and Chris Harris (R-Arlington). Other senators who were present included Todd Staples (R-Palestine), representing east Texas and a growing Hispanic area, Kyle Janek (R-Harris), and Judith Zaffirini (D-Laredo).
Federal law requires that every census, each state must redraw its Congressional district boundaries to match the districts with an equal number of residents. After the representatives broke the quorum during the regular legislative session, killing the proposed redistricting plan spearheaded by Tom DeLay, the state was faced with a dilemma. There was also no agreement on redistricting in 2001 when the legislature was unable to agree on a proper map, so a federal court drew a map that was approved by the U.S. Supreme Court. At this point, they was no further need to introduce redistricting into the regular session, and certainly no reason to call a special session which will cost the taxpayers of Texas millions of dollars.
It should be noted that in six congressional districts around the state that were majority Republican strongholds, Democrats were elected to office. Likewise, here in Webb County with a majority of Democratic voters, a Republican from San Antonio was elected, proving that democratic principles are at work.
In an official statement read for Rep. Richard Raymond by his wife, he said, "I would like your record to reflect that I am strongly opposed to the Senate taking up the issue of Congressional redistricting. . . . Let there be no doubt, if you proceed with Congressional redistricting and tear up a plan that has been certified by the U.S. Supreme Court to be Constitutional and in compliance with the Voting Rights Act, you will be taking away rights it took us decades to win." Echoing Raymond's sentiments, Rep. Barry B. Telford joined a group of rural state legislators in a press conference on July 14, to call on the state Senate to stop the congressional redistricting process before the legislation makes it to the Senate floor for consideration. Telford said, "No doubt, for Tom Delay, this fight is about Democrats and Republicans. But, from our point of view, it's a battle over whether folks who live in rural Texas will lose their voice in Washington and find themselves represented by a Congressman who cares little about us, or our way of life. . . . In rural Texas, we vote for Republicans in one race and Democrats in another -- supporting candidates who share our values and understand the priorities on issues like water rights, rural health care, public education, and economic development."
The written testimony of Sen. Judith Zaffirini was placed in the official record, stating, "The current Congressional District (CD) 23 reflects acceptable boundaries for CD 23 as adopted by the U.S. Supreme Court. It also is important to note that every senator from the border region has expressed support for this configuration of districts. This written testimony is submitted from the perspective of CD 23. . . . Residents of Webb County object to plan 1180C not only because it would remove us from CD 23, but also because it would destroy our historical configuration and communities of interest with our neighbors in our district. What's more, this plan would combine us with counties that do not share our community of interest or historical configuration." According to Sen. Zaffirini, the current redistricting map from 2001 has afforded the opportunity to build upon the foundation of bipartisanship, assisting all of those along the border region. By changing the district to the new proposals, smaller communities would be dominated by larger counties like Bexar and Hidalgo counties. Thus, the rural Hispanic would have less opportunity to run for Congress for years to come, if at all.
For more information on the current special session and redistricting, log onto www.house.gov.tx.us or www.statesmen.com.To contact the office of the Governor log onto www.governor.gov.tx.us, or call the Texas opinion hotline at 1-800-252-9600.