Nick Lampson: “my Governor, Rick Perry, called some Texas legislative members children, and Speaker Tom Craddick called them Chicken…”

“my Governor, Rick Perry, called some Texas legislative members children, and Speaker Tom Craddick called them Chicken D's. Well, I am calling them heroes. Joe Deshotel, Allen Ritter, Dan Ellis, and Craig Eiland are heroes to the citizens throughout Texas because of their willingness to stand up against the heavy-handed tactics of personal politics. The Governor and Speaker sent Texas troopers to a hospital in Galveston where Craig Eiland's prematurely born children are being treated. And yesterday Tom DeLay said he was looking to get the FBI involved to arrest Texas Democrats because they refused to put his unconstitutional, gerrymandered restricting plan above an issue like school finance reform. When a man like Craig Eiland has to go to another State rather than being there for his children, we have gone too far. The sad thing is, Mr. DeLay, you do not need to use the State troopers or the FBI to get those brave Democrats back in Austin. All you need to do is start paying attention to the needs of Texans instead of your own personal political agenda. Mr. DeLay, do not mess with Texas.”