Stephanie Herseth Sandlin: “Today we pause and say thank God that we have at least some members, men and women of the Texas House, men of honor…”

“Today we pause and say thank God that we have at least some members, men and women of the Texas House, men of honor, that work hard, that play by the rules, that stand for what is right. This week over 50 courageous Democrats told the Governor, the Texas Speaker, and the majority leader of this body, enough is enough. I particularly want to recognize my east Texas representatives, my friends, Barry Telford, Mark Homer, Chuck Hopson, Dan Ellis, and Jim McReynolds. Men of honor. Men of respect. Men of conviction. Texas Speaker Tom Craddick is unhappy because the Democrats broke his quorum. While Craddick has had time to whine and moan and complain and make up childish names for the Democrats, he has not had time to tell you, Mr. Speaker, one important fact: Mr. Craddick made history in 1971 as a leader of the Dirty 30, 30 Texas legislators who disappeared in protest of a heavy-handed speaker. This is hypocrisy at its worst. Now Craddick has the DPS and the Texas Rangers after the Democrats. The Governor is using the AMBER Alert System to try to find the legislators. The majority leader of the House is trying to get the FBI involved. This is absolutely shameless. Thanks to Barry, Mark, Chuck, Dan and Jim. The people of Texas are depending on you.”