Date: 2007-02-27
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I rise today to pay tribute to the legacy of an exceptional public servant. the late Governor Ann Richards. When Governor Richards passed away in September. I not only lost an esteemed colleague. but a dear and trusted friend. I am proud to say that our friendship endured for more than 40 years. First. We are from the same hometown. But I didnt meet her there. I met her in Dallas. Texas when she lived there in the 1960s. And then she moved to Austin. and the first thing that she did. she always helped in everybodys campaign. but the first thing she did in Austin was manage Sarah Weddingtons campaign for the Texas House. and we won at the same time. Sarah Weddington is the young lawyer that defended.Rowe v. Wade before the Supreme Court.. As women in politics. and especially Ann. we shared some of the same views and many of the same colleagues. and I did encourage her that she had come to her time that she can maybe serve in elective office herself. And we knew that Texans were not that siipportive of women running for office. but she ran for the County Commissioners Court and won. She was not afraid to be herself. and she really listened to people and she was supportive of people. Her independent spirit and charm not only won her votes. but it really generated a great deal of respect. And she often used humor to get her point across. but she did get her point across. People respected her. and they knew that she would work hard on their behalf and there was never a question about that. She took pride in her accomplishments as Governor. First she won as Treasurer. and I had the pleasure of running her campaign in Dallas County during that time. But when she won as Governor. it was a very maledominated situation. and she right away. appointed more women and minorities to important boards than anyone else ever had done in history. For the first time there were women and minorities on the board of regents of Texas universities all over the State and many other women positions that was on the medical examiners board. Those medical examiners didnt knowwhat had taken place. But she was not afraid to do it. She utilized the latest technology as Texas Treasurer. When she came into office there was a big deficit. and she hired a consultant to come down and help. and that consultant was Franklin Raines. That is when I first met him. We did so much together. And when she was in office and was able to see how to got through those many problems. she earned the support of the business community. which was mostly white men of course. Ann broke her way from the mold. I rise today to pay tribute to the legacy of an exceptional public servant. the late Governor Ann Richards. When Governor Richards passed away in September. I not only lost an esteemed colleague. but a dear and trusted friend. Im proud to say that our friendship endured for more than 40 years. I first met Ann Richards in the sixties when she lived in Dallas and was running for Travis County Commissioner. As women in politics. Ann and I shared many of the same views and also many of the same challenges. Texas in the 1970s wasnt very supportive of -women running for political office. so you really had to earn each and every vote. Ann wasnt afraid to be -herself. and she compelled people to listen to her. Her independent spirit and charm not only won her votes. but it garnered respect. People respected her. and they knew that she would work hard on their behalf. Ann took pride in her accomplishments in the male dominated Texas politics. She had hoped that her success may serve as inspiration to young women. She certainly served as inspiration to me. In 1982 Ann successfully ran for Texas State Treasurer. As State Treasurer she utilized the latest technology to transform the Texas Treasury into a modern operation. Along tlie way. Ann earned the respect of the business community wko appreciated her foresight and vision. In 1990 Ann became the first woman Govemor of Texas elected in her 9wn right. Ann broke away from the mold of previous Governors. She wasnt afraid to shake things up and speak her mind. In her tenure as Governor she was adamant about appointing minorities on state boards and commissions. Ann wanted the Texas Government to reflect the diversity and culture of the people of the State: Ann was a handson Governor. and she didnt let much get by her. She did her best to eliminate inefficiency and waste within the government. She demanded that the Texas government fully serve the people. and she did everything in her power to realize that. She had a strong will for justice and fairness for all. Governor Richards was one of the finest of Texans that Ive ever known. She dedicated herself to the State and the people of Texas. She broke down barriers for women. and made us believe that anything was possible. She was truly an original. and her absence is immensely felt. The recognition she is receiving today is very well deserved. Her many contributions to the State of Texas and to America will not be forgotten.