Past Events

At our January 2007 meeting we welcomed back a long time friend, Don Carlson.  Don served as Chief of Staff for Congressman Archer and aided Congessman Culberson's transition into the office.  Don spoke on the tax issues before Congress and gave us insight into what our legislators are facing now that they are in the minority.    

At our February meeting we were honored to have Judge Michael McSpadden of the 209th District Court speak  to us.  We were all amazed to learn that possession of less than 1 gram of cocaine is a felony.  This can be residue on a pipe, or just a crystal on the lip.  The Judge said these small drug offenses are clogging the criminal courts dockets and these felons get no treatment for their drug problem while  incarcerated.  He would like to see the legislature look for ways to better this situation.

On Thursday, September    a group of our members gathered at Hollibrook Elementary School to distribute dictionaries to the school’s third grade students.  These dictionaries are donated to the students by our club.  The students are very proud of their dictionaries and are in awe that they are given a book that is their very own.  The third grade is being targeted as the optimum time for students to begin using dictionaries.

This is the second year we have participated in this project which was recommended by the National Federation of Republican Women.  It has become a popular community project for Republican women groups throughout the country. 

 For other organizations wishing to participate in this worthwhile project......

 Dictionaries are obtained from:
          The Dictionary Project
          P. O. Box 1845
          Charleston, SC  29402
          Mary French, Director may be reached at:  843-856-2706
                    www.dictionaryproject.org

The books are packed 24 to a box and cost $69.60 including shipping and handling.  Project volunteers must obtain a “volunteer form” from the school district and then make arrangements according to the district’s suggestions such as contacting the school principle to arrange a date for distribution and to get a count of the number of third grade students that will receive the dictionaries. 

Judges approve new congressional map for Texas!
The federal court has issued its long-awaited decision on congressional redistricting. They have dismissed all claims by the Democrat plaintiffs and upheld the plan passed by the Legislature.  This is a great day for Texas! You may read the courts opinion here:
http://www.txed.uscourts.gov/203cv354/op.pdf

Statement by Republican Party of Texas on the federal courts congressional redistricting ruling:
We are pleased that the federal court has reaffirmed the will of the Texas Legislature and agreed with the U.S. Department of Justice.  In 2004, the people of Texas will finally have a congressional delegation that reflects their votes and their views.

Throughout the redistricting process, Republicans have maintained that the map passed by the Legislature is fair, legal and necessary.  And at each step in the process, our claims have been validated.  A majority of Texans vote for Republican congressional candidates, and now the Legislature, the Justice Department and the courts have all said the people will have their votes respected in 2004.

While Democrats may choose to further waste judiciary time and resources, Republican leaders are ready to move forward and focus on the important work ahead for Texans, including reforming and improving public education.

You successfully urged Democratic Senators to Give Leavitt Fair Committee Vote, Vote by Full Senate - he was approved as the new administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. Congratulations and good job by those of you who helped make this happen!

Village Republican Women welcomed Dr. Thomas Hargrove,

author of Long March to Freedom July 14, 2003

Dr. Hargrove spoke on the true story that inspired the movie Proof of Life, starring Meg Ryan and Russell Crowe. Tom, a native Texan, was kidnapped by Colombian narco-guerrillas of Colombia, at a roadblock on his way to work, and held hostage high in the Andes for 11 months. The Vietnam veteran was kept in chains, under incredibly harsh conditions while his wife Susan, with professional kidnap negotiators, bartered for his freedom. He kept, and smuggled out, a secret diary that became his book.

June Meeting
Friday, June 6, 2003
Fundraiser

Our biannual fundraiser was June 6th at the Omni Houston Hotel Westside. We enjoyed dinner and dancing at our "Proud to be Republican" Victory Party. Our honored guests included State Legislators, Peggy Hamric, Martha Wong and Beverly Wooley.

Leslie Dickey and her great helpers made our Silent Auction and the overall fund raiser both fun and a great success. Thanks to all.

May Meeting
Wednesday, May 28, 2003
City of Houston Candidate for Mayor Orlando Sanchez

April Meeting
Wednesday, April 23, 2003
TFRW President Gail Suttle

March Meetings

March Meeting and Membership Luncheon
Wednesday, March 26, 2003
Former White House staff member Peter Roussel will review his novel, Ruffled Flourishes

Thursday, March 20, 2003
Legislative Day - Austin Capital Rotunda

Some VRW members attended the Rally for America on March 1, 2003 in downtown Houston

February Meeting
Wednesday, February 26, 2003
League of Women Voters presented its New Patriotism Project.

TFRW Leadership Seminar in Austin
January 18, 2003

VRW Executive Board Members

VRW President with District 7 Director

January Meeting
Wednesday, January 22, 2003
Dr. Diane Jackson, Spring Branch ISD Governmental Affairs Liaison and Barbara Larson, Trustee presented SBISD's priorities in dealing with the current Texas Legislative session.

Dedication of Bust for President George Bush (#41)
January 30, 2003
Members of Village Republican Women were special guests at the dedication of a bust in honor of former President George Bush at the Park Laureate Building.

Christmas Party
Congressman John Culberson updated us on recent Congressional issues.
   

Don Carlson, former Chief of Staff for Congressmen Archer and Culberson was a guest and continues to be a special friend of ours.
      

November Meeting

Wednesday, November 20, 2003

State Senator Jon Lindsay was our guest speaker prior to our usual gourmet luncheon.
    

Garage Sale at Briar Grove Park
Saturday, October 5 2002
8:30am - 3:00pm
Benefiting VRW, Boy Scouts of America and Big Brothers and Big Sisters

KOMEN HOUSTON RACE FOR THE CURE
Saturday, October 12 2002
Galleria/Uptown Houston Area

Voter Registration
On Saturday, June 22, VRW registered voters at a Kroger Store on the corner of Briar Forest and Eldridge.  This is a high growth area and the great majority of these voters we believe will be Republican. 

Voter registration drives are scheduled later at other area grocery stores, a retirement residence and at several local churches. 

 Independence Day
July 4th found some our members participating in the Memorial Villages Independence Day parade.  Our red convertible adorned with VRW banners was cause for many to cheer along the parade route.  We also set up a booth at the Festival following the parade to register voters, change addresses for voters, answer questions about voting and give information about our club.

Special Meeting for Members and Guests
On July 8, 2002 VRW held an evening meeting at the Memorial Forest Club that was well attended.  President Carolyn Hodges acquired the services of two representatives of the United States Coast Guard to update us on the ongoing security measures along the Houston ship channel being instituted by, among others, the U.S. Coast Guard.  The major presenter was Commanding Officer Peter Simons, Commander USCG, Marine Safety Office, Houston-Galveston, currently in charge of those measures being instituted now, and those soon to be instituted.  Lt. Commander Diane Hauser assisted in the presentation.

Although most in the audience had no specific knowledge of current military or security matters, Commander Simon provided a clear picture of the importance of the ship channel to our national security concerns including, for example, the fact that 50% of the gasoline used in this country is processed in the facilities along the ship channel. He clearly depicted the types of efforts being instituted to ensure that every effort is being made to protect this vital center of petrochemical activity. He explained the susceptibility of the ship channel to terrorist activity that, before Sept. 11, was never seriously considered.  However, since September 11, the magnitude of a terrorist threat is considered huge, and the response of our military, including in this case, the U.S. Coast Guard, has been a top priority.  These measures include restriction of the use of the waterways closely adjacent to these industries by unauthorized vessels, 72 hour advance knowledge of the crew makeup, the cargo,  the last port of call of each ship entering the ship channel, and, if considered necessary, the boarding of any ship by Coast Guard personnel, if deemed prudent. Unless such measures are adhered to, entrance to the ship channel is denied. He also alluded to the increased security measures being enforced once any ship docks at one of numerous terminals, including increased cooperation with local law enforcement agencies including the FBI, HPD, and the Harris County Sheriff's Dept.  Coast Guard and other military aircraft flyovers will also continue.

All in all, Commander Simon gave the audience reason to be optimistic that every attempt is being made to protect this vital area of our coastline. Regrettably,  Commander Simons is being re-assigned elsewhere, but he assures us that the security measure currently in place will only be magnified.

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