Senate Opening Session

Thank you.  Lieutenant Governor Dewhurst... Dean Whitmire... distinguished members of the Texas Senate:...
...It is an honor to address you in this historic chamber on the opening day of one of the most important legislative sessions of modern times.

I spent many good days on this very dais working with a lot of you to create better schools, stronger families and greater opportunity for all of our people.

Together we accomplished some great things for Texas...
...and when we disagreed, we did so with the honor due this chamber and the people of this state.

I know that tradition will continue under the leadership of your Lieutenant Governor...
...a wise leader with a steady hand... David Dewhurst.

I couldn’t think of a better senator to serve as President Pro Tem in a school finance session than a dynamic, dedicated former teacher by the name of Florence Shapiro.

Senator, your love for our schoolchildren is evident each and every day as you work to find common ground on the two toughest questions facing state government:... how to improve education, and how to finance it.
I look forward to working with you, and all 31 members of this great body, to make Texas a state of unlimited opportunity for the more than 4 million schoolchildren that call it home.

There are no Republicans or Democrats in this chamber...
...just dedicated Texans ready to serve. 

And I’m ready to work with you, night and day, to build a better Texas.

Thank you, God bless you, and may God bless Texas.