Texas WOULD have been and SHOULD have been the first state in the nation to put the Ten Commandments back in our schools.                                                           


Texans For Dan Patrick [[link removed]][link removed]


LA First [[link removed]][link removed]


Texas WOULD have been and SHOULD have been the first state in the nation to put the Ten Commandments back in our schools. Last session, the Texas Senate passed Senate Bill 1515, by Sen. Phil King, R-Weatherford, on April 20th and sent it over to the House to do what Louisiana just did. Every Texas Republican House member would have voted for it. But, SPEAKER Dade Phelan killed the bill by letting it languish in committee for a month, assuring it would never have time for a vote on the floor. This was inexcusable and unacceptable. Putting the Ten Commandments back into our schools was obviously not a priority for Dade Phelan.


Here is more about the bill that Speaker Dade Phelan killed because the Democrats who put him in power opposed it:


Senate Bill 1515 would require Texas public elementary and secondary schools to display the Ten Commandments in each classroom.


• At present, Texas public schools have no such requirement, and this legislation only became legally feasible with the Supreme Court’s overturning of the Lemon test.


• SB 1515 would revive the historical tradition of recognizing America’s heritage and remind students all across Texas of the importance of the Ten Commandments, a fundamental foundation of American and Texas law.


I will pass the Ten Commandments Bill out of the Senate again next session.


Conservative faith-based bills DON’T HAVE A PRAYER UNDER SPEAKER DADE PHELAN. Besides Dade Phelan killing the Ten Commandments bill last session, Dade Phelan also killed Senate Bill 1396 by Sen. Mayes Middleton, R-Galveston, which would have allowed school boards to vote to put prayer back in public schools. Parents would have had the right to give their child consent to participate. The bill was sent to the House in April with a month left to pass it. It never got a hearing, thanks to Dade Phelan. Once again, the House Democrats who elected him as Speaker opposed it.


Remember, Dade would have lost his recent runoff if it had been based solely on Republican votes. He won the race by only 366 votes out of 25,000 total cast because a record-setting number of Democrats crossed over and voted in the Republican race. Democrats opposed prayer and the Ten Commandments in our schools, and Dade made sure those bills didn’t pass.


A Positive Step Forward


In 2022, you may recall I campaigned by bus in over 120 cities across rural Texas. I learned a lot on my trip and heard from community leaders about issues very important to them.


Tour Bus [[link removed]]


One major issue discussed was a lack of mental care facilities. So, working with my staff healthcare experts, Jessica Olson and Andria Franco, and Health and Human Services Chair Sen. Lois Kolkorst, R-Brenham, we designed a plan for rural central and West Texas last summer. We had already built five facilities in East Texas.


The entire Senate led on this important issue and supported the $2.5 billion plan that the voters approved last November. This week, the state took another step in moving our plan forward. As Lt. Governor, the Senators and I have allocated more funding to mental health than at any other time in Texas history.


I received this comment from Judge Nancy Tanner from Potter County in the Texas Panhandle: “Lt. Governor… the HHS people were here today to confirm the plans for the State Hospital! Once again, thank you for calling on me when I raised my hand. It seems so simple a gesture, but look at the consequences of a mere action. You made a difference in this place I call home!”


Read more about it here. [[link removed]]


ICYMI: Helping Raise Over $150,000 for the Alamo Preservation Efforts


Cannon [[link removed]][link removed]


Last Sunday, Jan and I traveled to Yoakum to raise money for the Alamo's preservation efforts. We had a great time shooting off a replica of the historic cannons. The demonstration allowed us to vividly imagine the moment 188 years ago when Lt. Col. Travis fired an 18-pound cannon at the Alamo. About 125 Texans and 18 shooters joined the celebration, helping raise over $150,000. We must ensure that the next generation of Texans “Remember the Alamo!”


Reenactment [[link removed]][link removed]


In case you missed it, click here to watch the video footage. [[link removed]]


Celebrating Freedom and Hope for All


Painting [[link removed]]


Opal Lee [[link removed]]

Juneteenth [[link removed]]


On Wednesday, we celebrated Juneteenth. Last year, we honored the remarkable Opal Lee on the Senate floor for her tireless work establishing Juneteenth as a state holiday, making Texas the first state to do so, and later becoming a federal holiday. Opal's portrait is permanently displayed in the Texas Senate Chamber as a tribute to the “Grandmother of Juneteenth” – she is a true Texas icon.


Thank you all for your support and everything you do to keep Texas red. May God bless you and your family, and may He continue to bless the greatest state of all—Texas.


Sincerely,


Dan Patrick [[link removed]]


Dan Patrick

Lieutenant Governor of Texas


P.S. Feel free to forward this email to your friends and family who may not be on our email list — they can also click here to sign up for future updates. [[link removed]]


"Whomever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant."

Matthew 20:26 (NLT)


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