I rode down there with the Assistant Chief and we headed to Austin around 5:30 that morning. We made pretty good time considering I-35 is always under construction and there is always traffic.
Our hearing was scheduled again for 10:30 a.m. and this time unlike the previous week, we were hoping for a shorter, much shorter day.
Since we got to Austin a bit early, the Chief took us on a little sight seeing around the Capitol. We made a brief stop at the Police Officer's Memorial and located the names of the three Garland officers that have been killed in the line of duty - Gerald Walker, Ronnie Lerma and Michael D Moore.
I then got some pictures of the beautiful Capitol, which for those of you that don't know, is actually pink! Just being around that place gives me the chills. I can't explain just how much I love Austin and all the beautiful places around.
We quickly located the building we were going to be in and around 11:00 or so, the hearing started. Again, we heard about 3 bills and then something strange happened. The Chairwoman had to leave the Chambers in search of anyone she could find to present one of the 22 bills that were up for hearing that morning. Apparently this doesn't happen often, but the problem that can happen is that a number of representatives are either in other committees presenting other bills or sitting in various other committees.
After about 15 minutes of wondering what on earth was going on, she came back with a couple of presenters and the show got on the road again.
The bill that I had come down this time to testify on was a right on red bill that would prohibit cities from being able to enforce these type of violations. The Chief and I turned in our cards along with another card for a bill that would require cities to install yellow flashing lights at intersections with cameras along with the signage that is already on the approach.
Next thing we know, the Court Clerk comes to us and gives us back our card for the bill regarding right on reds and tells us the bill was pulled that morning. We could not believe our ears - as like the Chief put it, that was the main reason for us driving down to Austin that morning. I thought I had cleared the water from speaking as I was only submitting the card on the other bill in opposition but not speaking on it, when the Chief turned to me and said, "Well, we are here already and you were determined to speak, so why don't you go change your testifying option and go ahead and testify on the light bill."
Instead of chickening out and not doing it, I submitted another card with the option to testify. They finally got to the bill and my name got called. I swear, walking down to the podium felt like taking the walk down the "Green Mile" (like in the movie with Tom Hanks) to what was my sure death. I just can't put it into words how nervous I was.
I am always very good at making eye contact with people, in fact, I make it a point to do so because it just helps to concentrate on the person and conversation, but also is a good focus point. Well, let's just say this was the hardest time I've had to do that - I kept wanting to look to the side or just somewhere else because I was so nervous I'd forget what on earth I was up there to say.
Luckily, I didn't get too side tracked with my nerves and finished my little spill. Although most people will say that if you are not asked questions that means no one was listening, I choose to see it that I just said everything nice and clear and they didn't need any clarification - all I wanted was to get back to my seat. :)
On the way back to my seat, the Chief and our lobbyist assistant, Ms. Mindy, congratulated me on a good presentation - they really knew how nervous I was. I didn't realize but another State Representative was sitting to the left of Ms. Mindy, Mr. Anchia, and he too congratulated me on my presentation. When Ms. Mindy told me who he was, I was floored - made me feel really good about the whole ordeal.
We were about to leave since our other bill had been pulled when Ms. Mindy, after making a couple of calls, found out that in fact the right on red bill had not been pulled and that it would be heard after all.
We went ahead and re-submitted our cards and when it came for that bill to be presented and my name was called AGAIN, I went back up to the podium and gave them my thoughts. The Chief had a brilliant suggestion since I was still trying to calm my nerves and he suggested that I concentrate on presenting what I hear from the citizens instead of trying to give numbers and stats about the program.
That suggestion ended up working out really well, as it allowed me to speak like I was just carrying a conversation but also relaying what I hear from citizens on a day to day basis.
When all was said and done, that bill too was left pending so we'll have to see what happens, if anything, with it next. We ended up getting out of Austin around 4 p.m. after stopping to have lunch at Schlotzsky's.
I got home around 7:30 p.m. - tired, but nothing compared to how I felt the previous week.
Texas Peace Officers Memorial.
Ronnie Ray Lerma
Officer Gerald Walker.
Officer Michael David Moore.
Breath taking...beautiful.
Taking a pose.
This building is just gorgeous!
This is where we had the hearing.
1 comment:
Proud of you girl!
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