Tarrant and Dallas Counties in Redistricting Voting Map presented on Monday by Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott

By Shawn Williams

In an interview with Dallas South News Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson pushed back against Texas Voting Map C-226 proposed by Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott on Monday.  The maps would produce an additional minority majority district in North Texas when Johnson says there should be two.

“I’m very disappointed that the district which includes African-Americans in Southern Dallas also includes Grand Prairie and parts of Tarrant County.”  She said the new map “packs” District 30 -which she currently represents- with minority voters.

Congresswoman Johnson said she was not consulted about the map but her office did field calls from U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo.  The Star Telegram quotes Matt Angle of the Lone Star Project saying Abbott and legislators “cut a deal with Cuellar. It’s dishonest.”  The Lone Star Project, which advocates for Democratic issues, says the Attorney General’s map “Likely Gives Anglo Republicans Control of All Four Additional Texas Seats.”

Trey Martinez Fischer of the Mexican-American Legislative Caucus called the map “a beginning point, not an end.”

“African-Americans and Latinos do not have the attention of people drawing the maps,” Johnson said, citing opposition from the LULAC, NAACP, the Legislative Black Caucus and the Mexican-American Legislative Caucus.  She said the map abuses African-American voting rights and purposely destroys Black voting strength.

Johnson also mentioned how the map does not fully represent Texas’ population gains in minority communities.  ”Over the last decade, minority populations accounted for 80% of the growth in Texas. It would be unconscionable to support any map that does not reflect these population growth trends,” she said.

In addition, Johnson stated the map also picks and chooses who will be eligible to run in the new 33rd district created for North Texas. She said looking at the map shows “arms” that are aimed at including some potential candidates while excluding others.

In a statement released on Tuesday, Johnson said the residences of some Latino leaders were “purposely drawn out of” the new district.

Previous legislative district maps drawn by San Antonio federal court which was overturned by U.S. Supreme Court

“Specifically, the residences of Councilwoman Pauline Medrano, State Representative Roberto Alonzo, State Representative Rafael Anchia as well as prominent community leader Domingo Garcia were all drawn out of the so-called Latino opportunity district,” Johnson said in the statement. “Instead, each of the aforementioned individuals will all be residents of the majority African-American, 30^thCongressional District.”

Johnson’s residence was drawn into the 30th District, which wasn’t the case in the original Texas Legislative map. She said the new map has taken many economic development projects she’s championed out of the district.

The Congresswoman says it all comes down to politics, and even if a Black or Latino candidate is elected, they won’t necessarily act in the best interest of their constituents.  ”We don’t have a record of any Republicans voting for the interest of minority communities,” Johnson said.

Johnson says her office has traditionally tried to act on behalf of minority communities throughout North Texas and other parts of the state since there are no other African-Americans or Latinos elected to U.S. Congress from these parts.

“I’m the only person (in Congress) who votes with the views of people of color from Amarillo to Austin,” Johnson said, “and that’s a matter of record.”

American Airlines is making some very tough business decisions to ensure that our region’s largest employer emerges from bankruptcy and becomes a stronger and more financially sound company.  Those decisions are not easy and will affect hundreds employees who live in Dallas and surrounding communities.  I believe American Airlines and DFW Airport will emerge stronger. As mayor of Dallas, I am committed to grow our local job base so when we are faced with a situation like this, we can keep those employees in our city and the region.

To that end, as these layoffs occur through this restructuring process, I have asked the DFW regional workforce systems to assist in efforts with those employees affected by these layoffs.  They are monitoring the situation and ready to assist anyone affected by displacement. Services include assistant in filing for unemployment, job fairs, resume preparation, interviewing skills and some workers may be eligible for retraining scholarships depending on their current skills.

Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings

Dallas attorney Taj Clayton today announced that his congressional campaign raised $216,253.74 in the last 10 weeks of 2011.

“We’re off to a very strong start, and this is only the beginning. We are gaining momentum as people get to know me and see what I’m about. We’ve exceeded our expectations because people are ready for new results and new leadership. We’re tired of seeing South Dallas County deal with the same problems year after year. The time for change is here,” said Clayton.

Renee Hartley, Clayton’s campaign manager, said the good fundraising start occurred even without the support of political action committees and loans from the candidate. “By raising all the campaign’s money from individuals, Clayton is answering an important question about viability,” said Hartley.

“I think Taj Clayton’s fundraising totals show that there are a lot of people not willing to wait for the torch to be extinguished before it’s passed to a new generation of leaders,” said Hartley. “We need some fresh blood and new ideas, and a lot of people are excited about what Taj has to offer South Dallas County. He’s a special leader.”

By Julie Fancher

Volunteers were up bright and early to plant fruit trees in five Dallas neighborhoods Saturday as part of Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson’s fight against hunger. Johnson (D-TX), an estimated 30-40 volunteers, and officials with TXU Energy, the Texas Trees Foundation, and the community were on hand to supervise the planting of 25 trees.

The trees were donated by TXU Energy and included fig, apple, peach and pear. Once the trees start bearing fruit, neighbors will be free to pick them for healthy snacks. Trees were planted at the West Dallas Community Church on Canada Drive; the True Lee Missionary Baptist Church on Bertrand Avenue; the T.R. Hoover Community Center on Bexar Street; the Jubilee Community Center on Bank Street; and the Promise of Peace Garden on E. Grand Ave.

“The locations were picked because we identified them as food deserts, or areas where there is limited access to healthy foods and grocery stores” said Matt Grubisich, an urban forester with the Texas Trees Foundation.
Volunteers, including children from the We Care Youth Center in DeSoto, began planting at the locations about 8:30 in the morning, with the last trees planted shortly before noon. Johnson held what she billed as a “Fruit of Hope Tree Planting Ceremony” at the Promise of Peace Garden site.

“This issue is not a lack of food, the supply is available, but rather a lack of education,” said Johnson about her campaign to end hunger. “We are trying to eliminate the stigmas or the language barriers so that young children feel comfortable asking for help.”

Dallas is one of the ten worst cities nationwide for child hunger, and 4.2 million Texans either experience hunger outright or do not have access to food aid programs, according to Johnson.

Saturday’s plantings were in association with the Texas Hunger Initiative, the Texas No Kid Hungry campaign, and the newly formed Dallas-Area Food Planning Association, all of which hope to bring attention to local and national child hunger.

The idea to plant fruit trees started with Johnson and her office staff, said her aides, who then reached out to the Texas Trees Foundation for help. The Foundation reached out to TXU Energy, which agreed to donate the trees. The event was also sponsored by Johnson’s EBJ Youth Council.

“The Congresswoman organized and coordinated the event. She wants hunger gone from the district, so hopefully this will be the starting point,” said Fatima Ali, Constituent Services Liaison for Congresswoman Johnson’s Dallas office.

Denise Gomez from the Texas Hunger Initiative described the tree planting ceremony as a collaborative effort of volunteers, local leaders, non-profit organizations and elected officials to take the issue from a local level to the national level.

Volunteer Patty Bates-Ballard brought her two children and step-grandson to help plant trees at the Promise of Peace Garden location.

“Local gardening is so important. Our food supply is our lifeline and if we have local, organic food that we produce ourselves, then we will be a healthier community,” said Bates-Ballard.

“Think of yourself as being hungry and between you being starving and a pear or a peach, it makes a difference,” said Johnson.

Julie Fancher is a junior at Southern Methodist University studying convergence journalism and political science

Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson released the following statement on Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords’ resignation from the U.S. House of Representatives:

“Congresswoman Giffords’ unbreakable spirit is a lesson that fear will not drive us. Unity and the dedication to our democracy will help us rise above all adversity.

The victims of this tragedy were individuals who were committed to the well-being of their community. They had gathered that Saturday morning a year ago in Tucson to discuss making their community and our world a better place. It is in good spirit that before Congresswoman Giffords resigns she has chosen to finish what she started by holding a private gathering in Tucson with some of the people who were at present that tragic day a year ago.

As Ranking Member on the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology I have worked with Congresswoman Giffords closely for the past five years, where she served as both the Chairwoman and Ranking Member of the Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee.

She has made an immeasurable contribution to our work on the Committee, and has been a steadfast champion of NASA and encouraging our next generation of scientists. She is one of the most devoted Members of the House of Representatives, and has served our country with distinction.

Congresswoman Giffords is a shining example of our Democratic system of government – a system where we all have a voice. As she departs these hallowed halls of Congress, I take comfort from the fact that she is doing so to devote her energies to restoring her full health, and I wish her the best in her continuing recovery. She and her family will remain in my thoughts and prayers.

I pray that we can rise together as a nation and embody those values of service that Congresswoman Giffords has personified.”

Please join Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson as she hosts a roundtable discussion focusing ending violence against women and children.

The event will take place on Saturday, January 21, 2012 (9 AM to noon) at Methodist Hospital’s Hitt Auditorium located at 1441 N. Beckley Ave. Dallas, Texas 75203.  The theme for the event is MOVING UP, MOVING FORWARD:
Mobilizing Our Community to End Violence Against Women and Children.

Special Guests include the Honorable Craig Watkins, First Lady Serita Jakes and the Dallas Police Department. Please enter the campus at 221 W. Colorado (at Bishop), which is the main Entrance to the hospital.

To RSVP or inquire about the event, please contact Lisa Sherrod at 214-922-8885

Today, Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson acknowledged her support for the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) Report on the Postal Service’s Retail Access Optimization Initiative (RAOI). The report outlined significant miscalculations in the USPS’s methodology for indentifying over 3,600 post offices and other retail branches for possible closure.

The Dallas Processing and Distribution Center and four retail branches in the 30^th Congressional District are being considered for closure or relocation under the existing RAOI. Several smaller branches in the District have already closed or have been consolidated.

“These recent findings by the Commission align with my initial criticisms,” said Congresswoman Johnson. “Aside from the obvious job implications for tens of thousands of hard-working Americans, this attempt to reduce costs would only drastically cut services for businesses and individuals that rely heavily on the Postal Service, but not actually resolve the agency’s problem of avoiding insolvency.”

Congresswoman Johnson has met with USPS leadership in Dallas and Washington, DC since 2009 to avert any postal closures in the 30^th Congressional District. Citing the same concerns as the PRC panel, Congresswoman Johnson has been vocal in her opposition to the method which the post offices were being selected. The USPS has since announced a moratorium on any post office closures until May 15, 2012.

The full report on the Postal Regulatory Commission can be found here:

http://www.prc.gov/Docs/78/78971/N2011-1_AdvisoryOP.pdf

State Senator Royce West and family are mourning the loss of his middle son, Remarcus Larry West, age 33.  The younger West died after a lengthy battle with a gastrointestinal illness.

I confirmed the information with someone close to Senator West’s office today and messages of sympathy have been left on Remarcus’ Facebook page.  Arrangements are pending and we will share information as it becomes available.  Our thoughts and prayers are with Senator West and his entire family.

Photo from Remarcus West’s Facebook Page.