Interesting Senatorial District Convention for this First-Timer

[Lisa0825]

(Please keep in mind that this is being typed by someone who is unfamiliar withthe process, and doing her best to remember details with no notes!)

We had some lively speeches from our State Representative Craig Eiland, Richard Morrison (opponent of Tom Delay), and David Van Os (State Supreme Court candidate). I loved the way Van Os kept referring to Bush as "that shallow little man!" LOL! A group of us worked to collect info on volunteers for Richard Morrison, and I think we got well over 100 new sigs! Tom Delay may have made a mistake in taking on Galveston County, the most Democratic county in Texas!

The entire afternoon-early evening was devoted to discussing and voting for many resolutions (about 150!). The Kucinich team had done a very good job of submitting resolutions. Their presence was really felt, despite the overwhelming majority of Kerry delegates (81%). We had a 10-12 Dean folks there, and I think there were 2 or three for Kucinich. For the most part, we were pretty well aligned with the Kucinich folks on the resolutions. I would estimate there were at least 6 or 8 that turned based on our combined votes.

There was some lively debate on gay rights/marriage. Initially, it seemed like there was more opposition than I expected. However, after about 5 people took turns explaining what "Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness" had to do with equality, as well as comparing this to other major civil rights issues, and reminding people of the seperation of church and state, we voted..... and only 2 to 4 TOPS said "No" during the voice vote. I guess it was just a very vocal minority, which was NO match for us! But it was the first issue that was actually argued, and it was a rush to be part of it!!

There were a few tries to strike parts of resolutions submitted by Kucinich supporters, such as removing references to the Dept of Peace and to the Kyoto Treaty, and the Dean delegates stood up with them for those.

The only resolution that was really *hotly* debated was in regards to the Isreal-Palestine conflict. A Kucinich delegate submitted a resolution proposing that financial aid to them both be given more fairly, and making it based on both parties participating in the peace process. This was debated for about 30-45 minutes, which included one delegate walking out in anger, and saying she was leaving the party! There was a vote to table the resolution, which would have meant TWO YEARS until it was revisited!!! By ONE VOTE, it was decided that it would NOT be tabled! One delegate made a "point of order," stating that he felt we didn't have a quorum, which would mean we would not be ABLE to vote on the resolution. There was some discussion, and the party chair went to confer with the rules committee for about 15 minutes. They came back and said that we did have a quorum earlier, and since we had not adjourned, it still stood. We asked for one more reading of the end of the resolution, and a few people crossed over, so it ended up passing by about 5 votes.

It was very interesting to be there for the first time!!! Several of us in the Dean and Kucnich group had never been delegates before, and we felt really pleased that we had a big part in what resolutions came out, and in what condition (as in amending/editing). we are looking forward to the opportunity to attend the state convention, to learn more, and to continue to speak up for causes important to us.

It ended on a sad note for my group.... one of our Dean delegates had symptoms of a stroke, and was taken to the emergency room. He seems to be doing ok, but it was a really emotional end to a long, long day. He was in good spirits as I left the hospital, stating that he was glad he was able to attend, and he enjoyed the day with us. He's a very nice guy, and while soft-spoken, he has a way of expressing himself, and being a good example as well.

[Democat]

1. Thanks for the report!

Hope the sick person is doing well. :)