LAURA BRAY

Kendall County Democratic Party Chair

NOTES FROM THE CHAIR

On November 15, the State Board of Education approved a Bible-infused elementary school curriculum. Schools don’t have to use it, but those who do will receive an extra $60 per student from the state. According to the Texas Tribune, “Critics, which included religious studies scholars, say the curriculum’s lessons allude to Christianity more than any other religion, which they say could lead to the bullying and isolation of non-Christian students, undermine church-state separation and grant the state far-reaching control over how children learn about religion. They also questioned the accuracy of some lessons.”

The Texas Democratic Party issued a statement that said, in part, “This move has ultimately violated parents' rights to guide their children’s faith while presenting teachers with additional needless challenges. Our public schools should be focused on equipping students with the education and skills they need to succeed beyond grade school. The teaching of religious doctrine should stay in our places of worship where it belongs.”

The Texas Legislature begins its next session on Tuesday, January 14. The Kendall County Democratic Party (KCDP) will be watching the bills filed during the session and encouraging our volunteers to make phone calls and send emails to our legislators expressing opposition to any bill that would further weaken public education, whether that be a voucher program or religious content in the classroom. In fact, I encourage you to put these phone numbers and email links in your address book now:

·      Sen. Donna Campbell, 512-463-0125, email here: https://senate.texas.gov/member.php?d=25

·      Rep. Ellen Troxclair, 512-463-0490, email here: https://house.texas.gov/members/19

Some time in January or February, KCDP will hold a facilitated Strategic Planning meeting where we’ll focus on two things:

·      A discussion on what worked and what didn’t during our 2024 efforts;  

·      A discussion on how we want to focus our efforts/spend our time on for the non-election year of 2025.

Stay tuned for more details as we get our plans finalized. I hope many of you will join us to share your insights. Thank you for everything you do to work for equality and justice in Texas!

LAURA BRAY

Kendall County Democratic Party Chair

Before you read my Convention report below:

Many of you shared that you watched the Convention and were completely energized.

GREAT!

Now what’s ONE THING MORE you can sign up to do to help???

 If you need ideas, email me at chair@kendalltxdemocrats.org

The Democratic National Convention (DNC) was truly one of the most amazing experiences of my life! By my count, I heard speeches from:

·       Three Presidents (favorite speech: Barack Obama)

·       One Vice President (favorite speech: Kamala Harris)

·       Four First Ladies/Second Gentleman (favorite speech: Michelle Obama)

·       Five sitting or former Cabinet Secretaries (favorite speech: Pete Buttigieg)

·       Eleven Governors (favorite speech: Andy Beshear)

·       Eighteen US Senators (favorite speech: Elizabeth Warren)

·       27 US Representatives (favorite speech: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez)

among countless others. Visit the DNC’s YouTube channel to have another look at the speeches.

And saw performances by (among other, lesser-known performers):

·       Stevie Wonder

·       Patti LaBelle

·       John Legend and Sheila E

·       Pink

·       The Chicks

My sister saw me on CNN that first night (see photo below), but other than that, I didn’t “pop up” anywhere else in the national coverage, as far as I know. Not hardly surprising, given that there were 10K people on/near the floor.



Tuesday night’s Roll Call of the States was surprisingly entertaining. I’ve reported before that, due to some screwy filing deadlines in Ohio, the DNC held a Virtual Roll Call about ten days prior to the Convention to officially nominate VP Harris. So the Tuesday night Roll Call was purely ceremonial. DJ Griffith kept the energy going as the DNC Secretary called on each state/territory to report its vote. When a state was called, its seating area was illuminated (a masterwork of lighting logistics), and the designated speaker appeared on the JumboTron (and your TV screens). Georgia “won” the “Best Roll Call Announcement” when they rolled out rapper Lil Jon to introduce their segment. Texas’s announcement focused on the state’s strict abortion ban and featured Eva Longoria, former Planned Parenthood Chair Cecile Richards, and Kate Cox, the woman who had to flee the state to get a life-saving abortion. TDP Chair Gilberto Hinojosa then announced the Texas vote (rather ungraciously, I might add).

The days were long (credential pick-up every day at 6am at the Texas hotel, and evening speeches weren’t over until 11pm). But the energy every evening at the United Center was completely electric. Security was tight, and despite some protestors, everything proceeded mostly without incident. (Some logistical problems notwithstanding.)

I met some amazing folks from around the state and around the world. (US territories abroad had delegations, and I traded a pin with Angelo (pictured below) from the Northern Marianas!)

When I walked into the arena that first night, I stopped and did two things: 1) Told my Mom, “Look Mom, I made it!” and 2) felt your presence behind and around me, and wrapped myself up in it. You were *absolutely* there with me in spirit. It was truly my honor to represent you on the national level.

Let’s go WIN THIS in November!