Club Endorsements
North Shore Democrats endorse John Hoffner for PEC Board, District 3
May 26, 2023
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The members of the North Shore Democrats of Travis County, Texas, hereby express their support and endorsement for John Hoffner’s election to the Board of Directors, District 3, of the Pedernales Electric Cooperative. The members of NSD are aligned with Mr Hoffner’s vision of greater transparency from PEC to its members, and greater adoption of green energy technologies.
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Update: Sadly, John Hoffner lost in his bid to unseat the current incumbent in the June 9 election. He made a valiant try and thanks us for our support.
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NSD Endorsement of HB59, Cati’s Act
January 16, 2023
An unthinkable, yet preventable, tragedy occurred not long ago to our neighbors the Delapeña’s of Jonestown. Their daughter Cati drowned while under the care of a day camp. She was not wearing a life vest, in spite of their written instructions to have her wear a life vest in the water. The family has taken the initiative to put forth a Bill to the Texas House to rectify the situation that allowed this to happen. House Bill 59 is sponsored by Vikki Goodwin our good friend and former State Representative. It will increase child safety and prevent tragedies such as that experienced by the Delapeñas. Follow this link https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/88R/billtext/pdf/HB00059I.pdf#navpanes=0 to review the bill.
The endorsement vote was passed unanimously by NSD Club members on January 16, 2023. It has been forwarded to our state legislators as follows.
The Honorable Ellen Troxclair, Texas State Representative District 19
The Honorable Vikki Goodwin, Texas State Representative District 47
The Honorable Judith Zaffirini, Texas State Senator District 21
On behalf of Joan Carney, NSD President, and the membership of the North Shore Democrats of Travis County, we are pleased to forward to you the Club’s unanimous endorsement of HB59 Cati’s Act. The following is the statement of endorsement.
“The members of the North Shore Democrats of Travis County, Texas, hereby express their support and endorsement of HB59 Cati’s Act. We support water safety and the use of all layers of protection, one being the use of US Coast guard approved life jackets worn by children who cannot swim. Drowning is the number one killer of children under 5 and the second for children under 15. Currently, Texas childcare administration code does not have water safety education requirement nor the use of life jackets on non-swimmers when taking children to a pool or open water. Life Jackets act as an important layer of protection to protect non-swimmers. Additionally, active supervision, proper barriers, and having trained responders are other important layers of protection around water. This important law takes important steps to advance water safety and make children safer in Texas.”
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Update: Cati’s Act passed both the state House and Senate in late May during the 88th Legislature, and signed into law by Gov Abbott.
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Endorsement of John Lewis Final Statement
as
North Shore Democrats’ Statement on Black Lives Matter
Passed September 3, 2020
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Recent events in our country have brought to the fore the systemic racial inequality of society at large. In a desire to express our commitment to change, we, the members of the North Shore Democrats of Travis County, hereby endorse the Final Statement of John Lewis, the “Conscience of the Congress” as our guide and inspiration.
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John Lewis' last words
An essay titled
“Together, You Can Redeem the Soul of Our Nation”
While my time here has now come to an end, I want you to know that in the last days and hours of my life you inspired me. You filled me with hope about the next chapter of the great American story when you used your power to make a difference in our society. Millions of people motivated simply by human compassion laid down the burdens of division. Around the country and the world, you set aside race, class, age, language and nationality to demand respect for human dignity.
“That is why I had to visit Black Lives Matter Plaza in Washington, though I was admitted to the hospital the following day. I just had to see and feel it for myself that, after many years of silent witness, the truth is still marching on.
“Emmett Till was my George Floyd. He was my Rayshard Brooks, Sandra Bland and Breonna Taylor. He was 14 when he was killed, and I was only 15 years old at the time. I will never ever forget the moment when it became so clear that he could easily have been me. In those days, fear constrained us like an imaginary prison, and troubling thoughts of potential brutality committed for no understandable reason were the bars.
“Though I was surrounded by two loving parents, plenty of brothers, sisters and cousins, their love could not protect me from the unholy oppression waiting just outside that family circle. Unchecked, unrestrained violence and government-sanctioned terror had the power to turn a simple stroll to the store for some Skittles or an innocent morning jog down a lonesome country road into a nightmare. If we are to survive as one unified nation, we must discover what so readily takes root in our hearts that could rob Mother Emanuel Church in South Carolina of her brightest and best, shoot unwitting concertgoers in Las Vegas and choke to death the hopes and dreams of a gifted violinist like Elijah McClain.
“Like so many young people today, I was searching for a way out, or some might say a way in, and then I heard the voice of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on an old radio. He was talking about the philosophy and discipline of nonviolence. He said we are all complicit when we tolerate injustice. He said it is not enough to say it will get better by and by. He said each of us has a moral obligation to stand up, speak up and speak out. When you see something that is not right, you must say something. You must do something. Democracy is not a state. It is an act, and each generation must do its part to help build what we called the Beloved Community, a nation and world society at peace with itself.
“Ordinary people with extraordinary vision can redeem the soul of America by getting in what I call good trouble, necessary trouble. Voting and participating in the democratic process are key. The vote is the most powerful nonviolent change agent you have in a democratic society. You must use it because it is not guaranteed. You can lose it.
“You must also study and learn the lessons of history because humanity has been involved in this soul-wrenching, existential struggle for a very long time. People on every continent have stood in your shoes, though decades and centuries before you. The truth does not change, and that is why the answers worked out long ago can help you find solutions to the challenges of our time. Continue to build union between movements stretching across the globe because we must put away our willingness to profit from the exploitation of others.
“Though I may not be here with you, I urge you to answer the highest calling of your heart and stand up for what you truly believe. In my life I have done all I can to demonstrate that the way of peace, the way of love and nonviolence is the more excellent way. Now it is your turn to let freedom ring.
“When historians pick up their pens to write the story of the 21st century, let them say that it was your generation who laid down the heavy burdens of hate at last and that peace finally triumphed over violence, aggression and war. So, I say to you, walk with the wind, brothers and sisters, and let the spirit of peace and the power of everlasting love be your guide.”
July 30, 2020
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Click here to view Morgan Freeman reading the statement.