AUSTIN, Texas – The Texas Senate will fund border security at the highest levels in state history, according to Texas Lt. Governor Dan Patrick. After taking the oath of office to become the 42nd Lieutenant Governor of the State of Texas, Patrick declared, “It’s a new day in Texas.” The new Lt. governor took the oath of office from his son, State District Court Judge Ryan Patrick. He was accompanied by his wife Jan Patrick.
The swearing in took place on the south steps of the Texas Capitol on a glorious Spring like January day. Thousands of Texas packed the lawn of the Capitol and enjoyed the festive music of the University of Texas Longhorn Band.
Lt. Gov. Patrick opened his remarks quoting scripture and thanking God. “In Matthew 20:26 the Bible says: ‘whoever wants to be a leader among you must first be your servant,’” Patrick said. “I stand here with a servants heart, respectful of all faiths, but as a Christian first, a conservative second, and a Republican third.”
“A servant leader must be trustworthy, encouraging to others, and humble. These are my goals and my commitment to you, the State of Texas, and the members I serve as the President of the Texas Senate,” he said.
“In my campaign I pledged to: secure the border; lower property and business taxes; prioritize, reform and improve education; build our infrastructure and protect life, family, and the second amendment,” Patrick pledged. “That is what I pledged to do as a candidate and what I will do as Lt. Governor. My goal is to be the best Lt. Governor in the history of Texas. It’s not about my legacy; it’s about you, your family, and the future of Texas.”
Patrick talked about education and school choice. He previously served as Chairman of the Senate Education Committee. “Yesterday the nation celebrated Martin Luther King Day,” he recalled. “On August 28, 1963, Reverend King gave one of the greatest speeches in our nation’s history, the “I Have A Dream” speech. I don’t think he could have dreamed that 52 years later that many of our inner city schools would still be failing our children, that we would have a 40% drop out rate or higher in many of our city schools and over half of our inner city children would be living in poverty. It is immoral to tell parents they must send their children to a perennially failing school.”
He pledged to keep Common Core out of Texas and to hold the federal government at bay.
On property taxes, Patrick said, “It’s time we reduce current property taxes and reform the system of taxing based on value growth. Homeowners cannot afford their taxes to go up 8% or more each year if their salaries are going up only 3% a year or less. And we are going to give businesses the tax relief they need to keep our economy strong and continue the job creation that has made us a leader in America.”
One of Patrick’s key election pledges was to help secure the border of Texas and Mexico. To that end, the Lt. Governor said, “The most important responsibility for any lawmaker is to keep you and your family safe. To that end the Senate will fund border security at the highest levels in state history. We are going to secure our border through the use of technology, air and river power, the DPS, the Texas Rangers, game wardens, local law enforcement and when needed the National Guard. The threat from terrorists, drug cartels and gang members crossing the border is high. National security starts with border security, and in Texas we are going to protect our citizens.”
He thanked all law enforcement and first responders who sacrifice to keep our families safe and secure. “We have their back and because they have ours,” he said.
“The world needs America to be strong and America needs Texas to be strong. If Houston, Austin, Bowie and Crockett were alive today, I think they would be proud of what the people of Texas and its government have accomplished, but they would warn us that we can never take our success or liberty for granted.”
Patrick closed his remarks by touching on Texas history. “Texas is one-of-a-kind, blessed by God, fought for by patriots, and home to the greatest people God ever put on this earth who are willing to fight back against an ever encroaching federal government.
“Come And Take It” is not just a motto, and a flag from the distant past. It remains our way of life in Texas to this day.”
Bob Price is a senior political writer for Breitbart Texas and a member of the original Breitbart Texas team. Follow him on Twitter @BobPriceBBTX.
COMMENTS
Please let us know if you're having issues with commenting.