Kings celebrated across Texas

From Texarkana to Tyler, Amarillo to Austin and beyond, the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was celebrated across Texas in marches, parades, and community events. From singular events in some of smallest towns in the state, to the nation's largest march in San Antonio, Texans paused to remember and honor King's great gift to humankind.

Dr. King spoke many times and in many places, but his words continue to inspire people around the world.

"These are revolutionary times. All over the globe men are revolting against old systems of exploitation and oppression and out of the wombs of a frail world new systems of justice and equality are being born," preached Dr. King at Riverside Church in 1967, just before his death. "Our only hope today lies in our ability to recapture the revolutionary spirit and go out into a sometimes hostile world declaring eternal hostility to poverty, racism, and militarism. With this powerful commitment we shall boldly challenge the status quo and unjust mores and thereby speed the day when 'every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall be made straight and the rough places plain.'"

Perhaps it is only the power and truth of Dr. King's words and deeds that could - if only for a brief moment - bring together "blue" and "red" voters, conservatives and liberals, and people of every race, religion and region.

As lesbian Latinas marched for their rights in San Antonio, President George W. Bush honored Dr. King in Washington. MLK, "left this country a different and better place," said President Bush with a sincerity sometimes lacking in discussing other issues. "Dr. King's faith and courage continue to inspire America and the world."

The Texarkana Gazette said it even better, "Today he (King) would be encouraged, but still leading the fight." "Without doubt, King would be actively protesting war, poverty and racism-just as he did when he was alive." The Gazette reminds Texans everywhere that we need to continue to build upon "the rich legacy of words and actions he left behind."

Halletsville, near Victoria, held their first parade while in Tyler a female Rabbi organized and led the 17th annual march of that city. Also in East Texas, hundreds of people lined MLK Boulevard to watch that city's parade. In Waco they marched, and listed to soul-stirring music during that city's MLK memorial celebrations. Celebrations took place in hearby Killeen as well.

Seguin celebrated with a parade and historical fashion show while the Amarillo parade was 12-blocks long despite freezing temperatures. The Amarillo Globe called for all citizens to celebrate King's "message of unity." It was also cold at 19 degrees when citizens of Denton turned out. Residents of Sherman went inside for an "MLK Celebration Breakfast," sponsored by the local Rotary clubs.

In Texas City, La Marque, Bay City, and Galveston, crowds of every color lined up to watch marches and parades honoring the slain leader of nonviolence. Organizers in Lockart posted photos of their march on the web. In Gainesville, the community preached and prayed.

A wide range of events were organized around the holiday weekend in Dallas and Fort Worth. In Houston thousands turned out to march and to listen to hear actor Danny Glover discuss ways that King's legacy might be applied to the national and worldwide problems of today. El Paso citizens honored local leaders who help in that city's struggle for justice, in a tribute to Martin Luther King.

An estimated 20,000 people gathered at the Texas Capitol in Austin for an MLK rally and march. The events began with songs and prayers for a more united country. Ricardo Gonzalez said he came out "to honor Martin Luther King because he did a lot for us. He fought for civil rights, not just for black people, but for everybody."

San Antonio hosted the nation's largest MLK march, one that has been growing every year. This year the route had to be changed to accommodate the nearly 100,000 participants. In San Antonio, King's message of peace and nonviolence was shown clearly by the many signs opposed to the war in Iraq. Some carried signs that said, "Military recruiters: Stay away from our kids," "Support the troops: Bring them home," and "Guerra no. Paz y Justicia" (No war. Peace and Justice).

Texas continues to confound critics and social scientists as a state of paradoxes. While much intolerance and racism still exists there is widespread acceptance of Dr. King as "one of us" and visible evidence of King's prophecy that "we as a people will get to the promised land" might just be coming true.

There were undoubtedly many more MLK celebrations in communities and towns around the ate. While some spent this week celebrating the coronation of George III, a authentic King was being celebrated across Texas.

(most of the photos in this article are compliments of the San Antonio Express-News)

US Military deaths near 1,400; Iraqis 200,000 dead or injured

As the quagmire of the war in Iraq continues, nearly 1,400 U.S. servicemen and women have died and more than 10,000 have been injured. Added to this are estimates of 100-200,000 Iraqi dead and injured. There are many statistics about the war but few credible sources for answering questions about what should be done now.

Peace, social justice, and religious groups around Texas continue to organize to oppose the war in Iraq and seek solutions to a timely withdrawal of troops. End the War in Iraq!

Bush coronation exceeds $75 M

In a lavish display of excess, the coronation of President George W. Bush commenced in Washington D.C. Estimates for the total tab, including private donations and federal and city expenses, is more than $75 Million.

This far exceeded the expense of the royal wedding of Spain’s Crown Prince Felipe ($24 M) or the $25 M wedding of Danish Crown Prince Frederik in 2004. However, it is slightly less than the amount expected to be spent by the British on Prince Charles' coronation, already reportedly in the planning stage. Citizens and news outlets around the country have continued to question the expense of the inauguration, particularly in light of other events.

Why do some parents kill?

East Texas residents are grappling with the issue of infanticide after several major incidents in that part of the state. Debra Burton, a licensed professional counselor, says, "About 16 percent of families have some type of violence. Six percent of the families have substantial or significant violence. There is a fine line between love, passion and hate."

"America loves freedom"

In his 1941 State of the Union address, with the crisis of WWII already on the horizon, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, outlined the Four Freedoms that continue to guide America: Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Worship, Freedom from Want, and Freedom from Fear. These four freedoms were illustrated by Norman Rockwell more than 60 years ago, but remain icons for American democracy still.

In his inaugural address of 2005, President George W. Bush, echoed FDR's speech. "America loves freedom," proclaimed Bush as he reiterated that a world where people have greater freedoms will be a more peaceful word. Let freedom ring!

Protestors fill Texas streets

About 2,000 protestors briefly shut down the Congress Avenue bridge in Austin on January 20th to protest President Bush's inauguration. Three people were arrested during the protest, before police closed the bridge to traffic because of the crowds.

There were reports of protests in San Antonio, Dallas, and Houston as well and in cities throughout the world. Other Texans "do their best to drown out dissent."

"He's not Hollywood"

The actor Jamie Fox was born in the small Texas town of Terrell. This week residents of that city celebrated Mr. Fox's talents and the way that he has remained true to his Texas roots even after becoming a celebrity. "He's not Hollywood" said one local friend in describing Jamie.

NEWS ARCHIVES (01/13/05) Texas emergency requires 'going to the wellhead'

This week the 69th Legislature convened with three items designated as "emergency items" for Texas by Governor Rick Perry: Child Protective Services (CPS), school finance, and Adult Protective Services (APS). Indeed there is much need to focus on child protection, school finance, and services for the elderly and disabled. These groups are among the most fragile and important in the state and emergencies require emergency responses.

The primary issue before the legislature is how to adequately fund needed social programs while at the same time operating within a balanced budget. To date, emphasis has been on reducing governmental expenditures (remember the $2.6 Billion in tax cuts by then-Governor Bush in 1999?) rather than on the funding side. Even as the new Legislature meets there is talk about how to reduce prison spending to make up for the shortfall and too little discussion of tax increases.

Texas and the richest nations

If Texas were a nation, "its economy would rank as the eighth largest in the world," boasts the website of Texas Comptroller Strayhorn. During the 20th century the economy of Texas grew to become one of the richest in the world. Texas, with fewer than 23 million people, produces more each year than Russia and Australia combined (see chart below). Despite this, there are Texas children growing up today - in the year 2005 - who live in communities without paved streets, running water, or adequate schools.

The reason for this disparity between the wealth that is created each year and the Texas public funding is that Texas has one of the lowest taxes and state expenditures of any country in the world. While most countries have government budgets of between 20-40% of their annual gross domestic product (GDP), Texas expenditures are only 7% of GDP. Simply put, Texas' $56 Billion budget is insufficient to provide the infrastructure and services needed for this great state.

Unlike other rich nations, Texas does not re-invest as great a portion of the overall wealth created back into the state. Added to this, companies headquartered in other states and countries siphon off much of Texas' wealth. It's time to think about keeping more of that money at home.

Spend more, get more

One of the primary arguments against increasing taxes has long been that low taxes are a primary reason why companies relocate to Texas. In part this is true, but companies - see: Texas Emergency , page 2

move to Texas for a host of other reasons as well: low labor costs, inexpensive land, skill labor forces, access to prime markets, etc. For every company that moves because of these factors, there are plenty more than remain in expensive locales of New York, Chicago, and California after they examine quality of life issues such as education and culture.

Chamber of commerce and economic professionals know that there are many factors that improve business climate and low taxes are just one of them. Economists also emphasize that wealth is created by the circulation of a dollar within a local economy - up to 7 times or more - and with more dollars in circulation the overall economy improves. For every new dollar spent by the Legislature we might expect a seven-fold increase in the wealth of Texas.

At the local level this means that if there are more workers, and they all make more money, the increased wages would generate new local purchases. This means that it actually makes economic sense to increase spending by the government to a degree that it isn't through debt or causes a rise in inflation. This is supported by evidence that the wealthiest places in the United States, and around the world, are also places that have some of the highest - not lowest - wages.

To make Texas truly wealthy, we need to spend more. If Texas' annual budget of $65 Billion were to be increased by just 20%, an additional $13 Billion would be injected into the state economy. Then there would be additional purchases, more sales tax generation, and increased employment. The question then becomes where do we find the additional monies to increase the state budget?

Going to the wellhead

Willie Sutton, the notorious outlaw, was quoted as saying "I rob banks because that's where the money is." To find revenues we need to go to the wellhead, or source of the money. The Texas economy, nearing $924 Billion per year in 2005, has many good sources of revenues besides taxing consumers and homeowners. Texas business is as strong and diverse as any in the world and a primary source to improve the state's fiscal prosperity.

Texas leads the U.S. in insurance, construction, and oil, gas, and chemicals, and comes in second only to California in computers and electronics, according to the Governor's Office of Economic Development and Tourism. It is natural to look to those industry sectors to see where the state can generate more revenue without "killing the goose that lay the golden egg." A slight increase on corporate proits would generate billions more in revenues.

During 2004, a handful of companies reported profits in the 20-40% range and overall, large corporations operating in Texas do very well. Exxon-Mobil (headquartered in Dallas), the world's largest publicly traded oil company, saw Q3 net income rise to $5.68 billion from $3.65 billion. XTO Energy (Ft. Worth) revenues were up 53% and earnings advanced 28% over the last 12 months. Valero Energy (San Antonio) saw the value of its stock increase more than any US energy company, and neighbor Tesoro Petroleum (San Antonio) also showed "record profits."

Texas companies in other sectors grew greatly as well during 2004. Revenues for the 9 months ended 9/30/04, rose 33% to $9.43B at Texas Instruments (Dallas). Dell (Round Rock) did well with sales up 18% over the prior year. SBC (San Antonio) reported that third-quarter earnings nearly doubled year-over-year and Centex (Dallas) continued to grow on new home sales while Clear Channel (San Antonio) saw profits rise to $7.1 Billion.

Texas business is the backbone of the economy and its greatest beneficiary, but it should also bear the largest share of building the infrastructure and providing the services that every Texan needs. By structuring a slight increase on corporate profits, the Texas treasury could get the hundreds of millions that it needs without severely impacting business in the state.

Sure, shareholders of some companies might see earnings cuts by 1 or 2 cents, but the economic benefit to be gained by such "corporate tax increase" would more than offset the effects … and dividend checks would still be expected to increase based on the growth in earnings for the past few years.

Rescue these little ones

The least of vulnerable Texans - children, the elderly, disabled, and the poor - have been asked for too long to provide for themselves or go without. It is the duty of legislators, representing every area of the state from the smallest rural community to the largest cities, to take responsibility for to see that their needs are met and to find the capital with which to do it.

For generations Texas workers and entrepreneurs have created great wealth, so much so that with a history of fewer than 200 years Texas now ranks among the abundant nations of the world. It's time to share that abundance so that fiscal "emergencies" aren't declared the next time the Legislature goes to the Capitol. After all, to what purpose is the creation of wealth in the first place?

The March continues

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. will be honored by Texans who remember his legacy and continue to march for civil rights. During the MLK holiday on Monday, up to 75,000 are expected to march in the parade in San Antonio. Tens of thousands more will march in Austin, and Houston while the Dallas march will be held on the 15th, King's actual birthday.

No longer forgotten

More than 500 Texas children have died during the past two years due to abuse and neglect. The Texas public and the Legislature are now aware of the need to improved Child Protective Services (CPS).

"The system is obviously broken," Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst said. "It's outrageous. It's heartbreaking. It's unacceptable. And we must fix it." Texas lawmakers have a short time to find solutions to CPS and to ensure that services to Texas families are much better than they have been in the past. Keep tuned.

Texas proble widens

The investigation into questionable campaign fundraising in Texas by three political associates of House Majority Leader Tom DeLay has widened with the cooperation of Sears and DCS.

The two corporations were among eight indicted in September by a Travis County grand jury on charges of either contributing illegally to DeLay's political action committee, Texans for a Republican Majority, known as TRMPAC, or to one of three associates who raised money for Republicans running for the Texas legislature in 2002

Jan 15 Austin Citywide Planning

Austin peace activists, social organizations, and the faith community will come together on January 15 in Austin to see what plans can be developed for 2005 for Austinites to help end the war in Iraq.

This citywide gathering is a follow up to network and planning activities of the past two years. As more and more Texans have become opposed to the war, there is much more interest in creating concrete plans to put an end to it.

Legislative priorities for environmental alliance

The Alliance For a Clean Texas (ACT) has established four legislative priorities for the 79th state legislative session in the areas of: water/quality of life, healthy air, energy security, and enforcement of existing regulations.

Issues such as the preservation of open space, permitting, and solid waste disposal will also be address by the alliance.

Bombs across Texas

West Texans continue to grapple with a major nuisance, flights of B-1 bombers that flyovers from Abilene to the Pecos ruining business and land.

The Air Force announced that it will hold new hearings on the environmental impacts of these low-altitude training runs.

NEWS ARCHIVES (01/08/05) The business of doing good

How many of us could open up our family checkbook and contribute $1,000,000 to victims of the recent Tsunami? Several Texas couples are doing just that. Are you an advocate for the needs of children and only wish you could do more to help? One woman does in Dallas. Or, donate land and money to start new programs for the underserved?

What about helping Planned Parenthood with big checks, as a San Antonio couple was able to do? If you could, would you finance programs for the poor along the border like two El Paso women have done? Or, would you help build the world's largest LBGT church like a Corpus Christi businessman's contribution is doing?

Texans are a generous lot. From the scions of cotton and oil to today's high-tech leaders, Individuals and Texas-based businesses can regularly be found among the nation's top givers in everything from elections to building universities. Seven of the top 100 foundations in the U.S. have their roots in Texas and most of our state's 25 billionaires started with little but now have tremendous resources to "do good".

Financial resources can greatly impact the success of a project, whether a political campaign or a peace activity. The following stories demonstrate how ordinary Texas do extraordinary things with the resources they have acquired through business. Most of these persons aren't celebrities or household names, but rather folks who know that living a good life means sharing what they have with their neighbors, in a tradition older than the state itself.

Businesswoman leading the way

Ebby Halliday, Philip and Donna Berber, Jimmy Day

Ebby Halliday graduated high school during the Great Depression and started selling hats for $10 per week. By WWII she had saved $1,000 and decided to invest it in cotton futures on the advice of a friend. Later she used the proceeds to open up her own hat shop until a local developer asked her if she could sell houses as well. She could and did. Today, Ebby Halliday Akers has taken the one-office real estate firm she started in 1945 and grown it to 25 offices today throughout the Dallas area.

Ebby valued the people who helped her along the way that she deed 49% of her company to her current employees and put the remainder in a trust for the company's future employees. But her business isn't the only place where she gets satisfaction. It's in giving back to others. Ebby gives generously to a variety of organizations throughout Dallas including the Children's Advocacy Center.

Responding to Crisis Overseas

Philip and Donna Berber are quite young to be labeled philathropist, but they have the ability to respond immediately to crises anywhere in the world through their personal foundation. The couple became wealthy after selling the online trading company, CyBerCorp, to Charles Schwab Corp. for $488 million in 2000. They then formed a foundation, Glimmer of Hope, serving to "ease some of the pain and suffering on the planet" with a particular focus on Ethiopia.

When they saw the devastation caused by the recent Tsunami, Phil and Donna knew they had to respond. They generously pledged to provide $1 million, and joined other Austinites Michael and Susan Dell ($3 million) and Sandra Bullock ($1 million), to help the victims of the Tsunami. "We're blessed, honored and privileged to be able to help in this way," said the Berbers during interviews.

Good Days for San Antonio

Jennifer and Jimmy Day have always been involved in progressive causes and strong supporters of Planned Parenthood. But it wasn't until recently that they have been able to write big checks of support, thanks to their business acumen. The Days started out raising goats at their Hill Country ranch in Vanderpool and in 1996 earned enough money to open an Aaron Rents franchise in Abilene.

Through hard work the couple was able to open several more stores throughout Texas and sold them back to the Aaron Rents company in 2003 for $17.5 million. Now they divide their time between new franchise businesses and supporting the San Antonio community where they make their home along with their young children.

Adair Margo and Guadalupe de la Vega, Dick Rathgebe, Sam Frech

Women for Women's Business and Health

Providing for the health needs of women along the Texas border has been a challenge for many year, but two El Paso businesswomen decided to do something about it. Guadalupe de la Vega and Adair Margo,

A native of Mexico, Guadalupe de la Vega became a businesswoman at an early age then turned her attentions to helping other women around her. In 1973 she founded FEMAP, Spanish acronym for the Mexican Federation of Health and Community Development in Ciudad Juarez. Her vision was to be able to offer a wide range of medical and community services to people living in poverty.

Adair Margo started out as an art gallery operator but has long been involved in helping here native El Paso. She has worked side by side with the poorest of the city and saw the need to help women become financially independent. She joined with de la Vega to build the FEMAP Foundation, a community bank which provides micro-lending to women so they can learn skills or start a new business.

Building Community

When Dick Rathgeber gets involved in something, he doesn't do it half way. Along with his wife Sara, he brings the energies of his business, contacts, and money to bear on a variety of projects. In Austin he recently donated 16 acres of valuable commercial real estate for a "Children's Village" that will include a children's shelter, dyslexic learning program, and housing for Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), and a Salvation Army Youth Center.

The Rathgerbers have long supported Meals on Wheels and he was the major funder of Austin's Salvation Army Center. Dick was also instrumental in making sure Austin's new Planned Parenthood facility received the concrete they needed for construction, after several companies boycotted the project. While some developers focus only on building homes and offices, the Rathgerbers build community

Leaving a Legacy

Sam Frech of Corpus Christi died in 2000, but not before donating millions to his favorite causes. Whether it was $1 million towards a performing arts center at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, or $4 million towards the Cathedral of Hope in Dallas, Frech knew the importance of investing well and investing good. "I've been searching for a way to make a significant thank-you gift to the people of South Texas," Frech said during a February 1999 interview. "I've lived among them for 80 years, and I'm glad to give this gift which should (bring) excitement and joy to thousands of people," Frech said at A&M.

Frech was a financial consultant with Merrill Lynch for 45 years and wisely helped his clients to invest while growing his own nest egg. In 1998 talk show host and actress Opra Winfrey honored Frech and Merrill Lynch for their Habitat for Humanity efforts during her Angel Network Dinner in Chicago.

There are many more individuals and companies across Texas who have used their business acumen to contribute to social causes and the financial growth of progress.

Whether you are involved in socially responsible investing through programs such as the PaxWorld Fund, or you are starting a business yourself, there are ample ways that you can contribute. Team up with business and professional leaders in your community, you might just be surprised at their response and generosity.

Austin Citywide Planning Jan 15

Austin peace activists, social organizations, and the faith community will come together on January 15 in Austin to see what plans can be developed for 2005 for Austinites to help end the war in Iraq.

This citywide gathering is a follow up to network and planning activities of the past two years. As more and more Texans have become opposed to the war, the is much more intested in creating concrete plans to put an end to it.

Students strip-searched

Seven girls and three boys, ages 11 and 12, were strip-searched at a Texas City charter school after a student reported a missing $10 bill.

Police and the District Attorney are now investingating the school, which opened in 1998. However, some parents approve of the searches saying that theft is a problem and this is an appropriate way to deal with it.

New P&J Center for Arlington

Folks in Arlington, Texas have gotten together to form the Peace & Justice Center - Arlington as activities in the Dallas area continue to grow.

Led by Len Ellis, the PJCA doesn't yet have a website and they are looking for more people to join. If you're in Arlington, contact: peace-center@comcast.net

TX National Guard sendoff mostly ignored by media

An estimated 25,000 people packed Baylor stadium in Waco on New Year's Day for a sendoff for the Texas Army National Guard 56th Brigade Combat Team to Iraq. The deployment of 3,000 Guard members from Ft. Hood is the single largest deployment since WWII

Texas has about 20,000 National Guard members; to date, 4,500 have served in either Afghanistan or Iraq and returned; 1,000 are in the region now.

How Texans fight in Iraq

At midnight they throw a flash-bang grenade before pouring inside the house. "GO! NOW!" barks a voice. In a Jan. 5 press release from the Marines we get a look at how Texas who are fighting in Ramadi conduct themselves and perhaps why more Iraqis join the insurgency each day.

When kicking in doors: "Sometimes all the wild dogs barking out here can be quite loud and can take away from the element of surprise," says Lance Cpl. Matt O'Connor, a 21-year-old bartender from San Antonio.

"After setting up our perimeter security, our leaders then recon to the objective before Marines stack at the door," says Lance Cpl. Gary Cremeans, a 24-year-old heating, ventilating and air-conditioning technician from Austin. "Then we dump into the house."

"Some of the detainees are just people in the wrong place at the wrong time," explaines Staff Sergeant Jesse A. Noriega, a police officer from San Antonio, Texas.

Some anti-terror funds misused

Texas has received more than $600 million in "anti-terrorism" funds from Washington. However, a recent audit of those funds finds that much of it has been improperly spent for everything from traffic lights to community festivals. Funds are distributed by the Texas Engineering Extension Service to local governments. However, there are few guidelines on how the monies can be spent.

Trans-Texas Corridor opposed

The state's largest agricultural association, The Texas Farm Bureau, has called for opposition to the Governor's multi-billion-dollar Trans Texas Corridor.

Noting the tremendous impact that Corridor would have in the taking of land throughout the state, Farm Bureau delegates called for new construction to be near existing right-of-ways.