Journal of the House of Representatives of the Regular Session of the Seventy-Ninth Legislature of the State of Texas, Volume 1 Page: 14
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79th LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION
Mr. Secretary, members of the house, and distinguished guests. The voters of
the State of Texas sent us here to do the people's business. The very composition
of this noble body is a reflection of the rich cultural, political, religious, and
ethnic diversity of the people of this great state. Doing the people's business
requires that we debate, carefully consider, and act in the people's best interest.
Doing the people's business requires that we choose leaders who embrace the
diversity of our citizenry and draw upon it for the boundless strength and
character that distinguishes this greatest of all states. The people of Texas
demand, deserve, and expect nothing less.
Tom Craddick is a true son of Texas. He understands, acknowledges, and
accepts the breadth of beliefs, interests, and ambitions of Texans. He recognizes
that real leaders are dealers in hope. Tom Craddick has a realistic appreciation of
the constraints we face in our desire to meet the needs of our millions of
constituents, but also he sees, and encourages those around him to see, a hopeful
future for the young, the old, the healthy, and the infirm.
As a very wise person once said, "Blessed is the leader who seeks the best
for those he serves." I am confident that Tom Craddick is that kind of leader, and
I am honored to second the nomination of Representative Tom Craddick as
speaker of the Texas House of Representatives in this Seventy-Ninth Session of
the Texas Legislature.
Secretary Connor recognized the Honorable Harold Dutton of Harris
County, who seconded the nomination of the Honorable Tom Craddick, speaking
as follows:
To the Master of the Universe, Mr. Secretary, distinguished guests, family,
friends, my fellow colleagues, and Texans. This is my eleventh opening day
ceremony. And when I look back on the last ten sessions, I can safely say that
they have all been quite different.
But as I am sure you will agree, certain qualities remain the same from one
session to the next. And one of those qualities about which there would be little,
if any, disagreement among members is the word "struggle." Without question,
every session involves a struggle, both individually and collectively. But our
ultimate challenge is to transform these individual and collective struggles into
real progress for all Texas.
That is why I like the definition of leadership which says leadership is the
catalyst that changes struggle into progress. More especially, that is why I am
honored to second the nomination of the Honorable Tom Craddick as speaker of
the Texas House of Representatives for this Seventy-Ninth Legislature.
Tom Craddick is uniquely qualified to be the catalyst that transforms our
individual and collective struggles into progress for all of Texas. Tom Craddick,
a man who chooses moderation over ideology. Tom Craddick, a man who
chooses compromise over confrontation. And Tom Craddick, a man who
chooses cooperation over defiance.
Again, I am honored and pleased to second the nomination of Tom
Craddick.14
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Texas. Legislature. House of Representatives. Journal of the House of Representatives of the Regular Session of the Seventy-Ninth Legislature of the State of Texas, Volume 1, legislative document, 2005; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth97462/m1/18/?q=%222005-01-11%22&rotate=270: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.