Good morning!

On Saturday night the Irving Convention Center was packed with patriots excited to honor the men and women nominated this fall for the 2020 Conservative Leader Award. 

I’m excited to introduce the honorees to you in today’s Texas Minute.

– Michael Quinn Sullivan 

Monday, December 7, 2020
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• The Vice President of the United States sent a letter memorializing the event. 
   
• “I’m delighted to send my warm greetings to each of you gathered at the 2020 Conservative Leaders Gala hosted by Texas Scorecard. It’s remarkable to think of the tremendous impact you’ve made for the cause of conservatism, both individually and collectively, and I want to thank you for the difference you’ve made this past year in communities large and small throughout the Lone Star State and across the country.” – Vice President Michael R. Pence

• The honorees come from all walks of life and around the state, nominated by their fellow activists. They each serve as examples, in their own ways and communities, of the importance of fighting the good fight... and fighting it well.
    

• They each received an engraved cavalry sword, a long-standing symbol of practical, frontline leadership. Please join us in congratulating:

  Chandler Crouch of Keller
  Matt Dixon of Plano
  Chris Ekstrom of Wichita Falls
  Janie Fonseca of San Antonio
  Susan Fountain of Dallas
  Jill Glover of Double Oak
  Terri Hall of Ingram
  Brandon W. Hodges of Midland
  Troy Jackson of DeSoto
  Mike & Laura Oakley of Grapevine
  Deborah Simmons of Leander
  Rev. Joseph E. Strickland of Tyler

• Also at each year’s Conservative Leaders Gala, the Torch of Freedom is presented to the man or woman who has exemplified the value of marching bravely forward against overwhelming odds to expose cronyism and corruption, and inspiring others to do likewise.
   
• This year’s award was presented to businesswoman Shelley Luther. After Gov. Greg Abbott arbitrarily – and unconstitutionally – ordered the closure of all “non-essential” businesses in Texas, she studied the law to make sure she was in the right. As a law-abiding citizen, she made the decision to re-open her business knowing she could be illegally and arbitrarily fined and thrown in jail – but she did it because it was the right thing to do. Yet doing the right thing often has a cost, and so the leftwing politicians in Dallas County took full advantage of the power given to them by Gov. Greg Abbott, and they hauled her into court – and then jail.
   
• Fortunately, the Supreme Court of Texas intervened and ordered her release a couple days later. Gov. Abbott was forced to change his executive order, removing jail time as a punishment - and re-opening hair salons and barber shops.
   

• Because Shelley Luther was willing to go to jail and highlight the injustice of the business closures, many small businesses who suffered the crime of being deemed “non-essential” by the Austin lobby class were likely saved. She was willing to be jailed for the cause of freedom.