Friends,

I was gratified to see the Tyler ISD Board of Trustees listen to the people and begin the process of renaming two high schools named after Confederates last night.

People my age, who grew up in the early years of desegregation in Smith County, know why these names were selected for these schools.

But renaming schools, military bases, and taking down statues only gets us so far.

There is still systemic racism in this district. I shouldn’t have to tell you that.

We must continue to work for policing reforms, and a better form of social and economic justice for African Americans in the U.S.

East Texas needs a leader focused on these issues, chip in today to help me take on Louie Gohmert in November >>>

Racism, discrimination, and poverty go hand in hand. More than 18 percent of this district lives below the poverty line. A full 37 percent of this district has an income 185 percent below the poverty level or greater. 24 percent of children in this district live in poverty. Nearly 50 percent of all children in this district live in households earning 185 percent below the federal poverty level.

Many of these families are African American and Hispanic.

We aren’t doing enough by simply renaming schools. We must do more. We must fight for a greater share of federal dollars to end poverty in this district.

The number of children living this far below the poverty line puts this district on par with districts in some of the most poverty-stricken urban areas of this state and close to some districts in South Texas.

We must do more. As your congressman, I will. Join my campaign today >>>

Thanks,

Hank