The Conscience of the House Speaks
May 9th, 2007 at 6:25 pm
In case you missed Rep. Paul Moreno’s speech yesterday, here’s the archived video. The Democrat from El Paso begins his personal privilege speech at the 4:07:25 mark of the video. His impassioned call for respect for immigrants, legal and illegal, begins at 4:19:00. Hit ctrl+E to jump to any specific time in the video.
The entire speech, which is pretty long, is worth listening to simply because it possessed that rarest of commodities in politics: earnestness. It was as open a speech as I’ve heard on the floor this session, delivered in simple, considered language without histrionics.
For example, his call for compassion: “Just show us (immigrants and Mexican-Americans) fairness. That’s all we ask. … Don’t be so mean.”
Moreno was responding to remarks delivered by Rep. Leo Berman on Monday night, but he was also addressing the general changes he’s seen in the House, and not for the better. “When I arrived in Austin today, I was a very, very bitter individual,” he said.
It was originally thought around the Capitol that this would be Moreno’s farewell address but he alluded to being convinced not to retire yet. Despite a number of physical ailments and personal tragedies this session, Moreno felt he had to make his speech anyway. After 20 sessions, a tenure matched only by speaker Tom Craddick, Moreno may still opt for retirement from office, the El Paso Times reports (that’s a good rundown of his speech, too, if the video isn’t convenient). But for now, he remains, “the conscience of the House,” as many refer to him.
Dozens of sympathetic legislators, including what appeared to be the entire Mexican-American caucus, joined Moreno at the front of the chamber. An even better sign of solidarity will be if the House votes against bills like the “voter ID” laws or the those limiting immigrants’ access to higher education.
May 9th, 2007 at 9:06 pm
Moreno is still standing tall and I thank him for his service. It’s getting pretty ugly in the Texas Legislature with all of this anti-immigrant hysteria. It’s open season on Latinos. Bless Representative Moreno. I hope he stays with us for at least one more session.
May 9th, 2007 at 9:13 pm
Thanks for posting the link to the video. It’s rare to get the personal perspective from a lawmaker who’s been around long enough to know what’s what and who’s not grandstanding for the next election. That was great.
From the EPT article:
State Rep. Pat Haggerty, R-El Paso, said most House members assumed Moreno would announce a decision not to run again, especially with the spate of personal difficulties.
“It was the speech of a man who’s been here 40 years and is having a problem letting go,” Haggerty said.
Haggerty certainly made Moreno’s point about a lack of respect. Sheesh.
May 10th, 2007 at 5:10 pm
“It’s open season on Latinos. Bless Representative Moreno. I hope he stays with us for at least one more session.”
I hope he retires. I love his politics, but the votes are close in the House and the Democrats need all hands on deck. The Dunnam amendment to the voter ID bill (exempting everyone 65 and up) lost 73-72, Moreno was absent. The bill to allow the Tigua to restart their casino failed 66-66, Moreno was absent. Is he healthy and strong enough to handle another 140 day session in 2009? I am not sure about that, and the Democrats cannot afford for him to be absent during the 81st.