I wanted to remind everyone attending the Texas conventions, tomorrow, that there actually are other things to think about other than just that presidential vote! Who'd of thunk?
One, or actually quite a few, of those things are the many worthwhile resolutions to vote for to effect change in the Texas Democratic Party Platform. Which resolutions are up for a vote depends upon two things: 1) which resolutions got introduced and passed at the precinct conventions, and 2) which resolutions the Local Platform and Resolutions Committees decide to pass on for a vote by the delegates.
I'm pushing two resolutions:
- Non-Discrimination Resolution: would call on the Democratic party to support legislation to end discrimination based upon sexual orientation, gender identity and expression,
- Safe Schools Resolution: calls on the Democratic Party to pass legislation requiring school districts to adopt model policies on bullying and harassment-to prevent some of the terrible tragedies we've been hearing about these days.
These two resolutions have passed in a couple of hundred precincts state-wide. But that success doesn't do us any good unless we get the Senate/County conventions to pass them. Then, once we do that, it's on to the State Convention and the Official Party Platform!!!!!
If you're a delegate, or even if you're not but are attending the conventions, please work to pass these resolutions.
RESOLUTION
SUPPORTING SAFE SCHOOLS FOR ALL CHILDREN
Precinct #__________
Senate District #________
__________ County, Texas
WHEREAS, we believe every Texan has the right to participate fully and equally in society and enjoy its benefits and freedoms, and
WHEREAS, all children should be safe and feel safe while at school, regardless of their ability, color, country of origin, disability status, economic status, ethnicity, gender, gender identity or expression, parental marital status, physical appearance, race, religion, or sexual orientation, and
WHEREAS, one survey documented that up to 40% of all Texas school children were verbally harassed or bullied at least once during the previous year, and that 17% of Texas school children were physically abused or bullied at school during the preceding year, and
WHEREAS, simple school programs to discourage bullying and harassment have been shown to be inexpensive and effective, and
WHEREAS, the State of Texas does not have a statewide model policy or statute setting minimum standards or policies for schools to adopt or implement,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Texas Democratic Party supports the passage of legislation to protect all school children from bullying and harassment by requiring the State of Texas to promulgate, and Texas school districts to adopt, a model policy on bullying and harassment setting forth minimum acceptable standards, and the highest aspirations, for student safety.
Adopted by Precinct # _____ in Senatorial District # ___
of __________ County, Texas on March 4, 2008.
___________________________________
Precinct Convention Chair # ____________
________________________ County, Texas
Telephone ___________________________
RESOLUTION
SUPPORTING NON-DISCRIMINATION LEGISLATION
Senate District #________
Travis County, Texas
WHEREAS, we believe every Texan has the right to participate fully and equally in society and enjoy its benefits and freedoms, and
WHEREAS, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Texans suffer pervasive discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations, and education because of homophobia and a lack of legal protections, and
WHEREAS, protecting vulnerable members of our state from unwarranted discrimination is fully consistent with the goals, aspirations and values of the Texas Democratic Party and Texans in general, and
WHEREAS, non-discrimination laws help to ensure that LGBT people have equal access to the same opportunities and protections granted to others, such as the ability to work in an environment where people are judged by their job performance, not by their sexual orientation or gender identity or expression, and
WHEREAS, the State of Texas does not have a statewide, non-discrimination policy covering sexual orientation and gender identity or expression,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Texas Democratic Party supports the passage of comprehensive non-discrimination legislation that would prohibit discrimination based upon sexual orientation, gender identity or expression in employment, housing, insurance, education and public accommodations.
Adopted by Precinct # _____ in Senatorial District # ___
of __________ County, Texas on March 4, 2008.
___________________________
Precinct Chair # ______________
_______________ County, Texas
Telephone ____________________
Thank you for your help.
And, Just for the fun of it, the resolutions that also passed my precinct included:
- Demands for immediate withdrawal from Iraq,
- Legalization of small amounts of marijuana,
- Legislation to strip corporations of their personhood,
- Legislation that would provide public funds for mothers to continue attending higher education, provide health care for kids, make pre-K universal.
- Univeral health care,
- Doing away with the primacaucus system.
No one said we didn't have fun!