Texas Constitutional Convention Updates

Summary of 5 July 1997 Meeting (Rough Notes)

A computer problem apparently caused the loss of some of the notes taken during the 5 July meeting. Following are what could be recovered.

No objections to recommendation of chair.

Chair - need to be able to continue communicating when not in session, request contact info from all delegates, Burnett is passing around pad, please put your contact info on it. We will set another session before we adjourn this weekend.

Motion brought by Duncan that secretary be authorized to appoint a deputy secretary to assist

in recording actions of the convention. Seconded by Lowe.

Discussion: Wanjura - do we need a vice secretary? Lowe - lots of people made motions yesterday, but secretary had no chance to take breaks, worked until after midnight last night on notes, etc. Burnett - agreed, need to provide assistance for officers when needed. Duncan - clearly too much for one person to do, also rules not steel, we can allow secretary to participate

as delegate in the convention. Sanders - propose as amendment that secretary can also vote. Accepted as friendly amendment. Hamilton - did we not approve proxy for delegates? POO Wanjura, different circumstance. Wanjura - bogged down in motions, don't need to move on

this issue. Chair - we have a motion on the floor, if voted down, problems. Call for the question. Erickson - all officers should be allowed to vote as delegates, don't need to

discuss the issue. Sanders - not too much motion, too much discussion on each.

Barnett - friendly amendment to allow secretary to hand over the records any time she

needs to participate as a delegate, withdrawn after discussion.

Vote passed, unanimously.

Chair - there were two committees to report today. Sugestion made to rearrange the room so we can all hear, requests some of the engineers in the room to come up with solution to problem. Wanjura proposed that morning and afternoon sessions be rotated to avoid full sun on chair and secretary.

Suggestion to get copies of drafts distributed to other delegates and time given for others to read and think about the proposals. Angwin - since may not meet Monday, will be fortunate to get to preamble and declaration of rights this weekld make u'

Msrtp

a packet to mail to all delegates, so they will be ready to work when we reconvene. Chair - need to start at the beginning and review the

Motion by Wanjura to recess for rearranging the room. Second by ChildressF

Session reconvened at 10:27am.

Chair reminds delegates that by general consensus agreed to write out all motions. Angwin moves that (written). POO by Lowe - three motions in this motion, must consider separately. Failed for lack of second. Wanjura - idea is sound, does not require a motion to be agreed upon by delegates. Barnett - agreed yesterday to work on preamble first thing this morning. Chair checked the record, agreed.

After discussion, chair passes the gavel to Ray Wanjura

as chair of sub-committee on preamble. Reads the preamble as passed out to the tables

earlier: We, the People of Texas, acknowledging the inalienable rights of life, liberty and property from our Creator, in order to form a lawful republic, establish justice under common law, provide for the common defense, and secure the blessings of liberty to

ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this constitution to form and

limit the authority of our government to those powers exclusively delegated herein.

All rights are inherent in the people.

Sara - corrections in punctuation, questions concerning 'to form' which implies one not already formed.

Kesterson - strike between 'in order to' and 'secure the blessings of'.

Lowe - reminder to assembly that we not cast in stone the form of our document, leave it dynamic, and bring it back to be looked at, like beans it will require soaking time. Suggest that

'Creator God' be specified as more emphatic than Creator, should take a stand about

God and not be afraid to use His name and acknowledge His blessings.

Chair - is it agreed by this body that the preamble not be concrete until voted on as

part of the constitution? Correction, until the people actually adopt it by popular vote.

Childress and Angwin and Barnett in discussion.

Henson - doesn't seem to flow

Duncan - word authority has been changed to powers in next to last sentence, should be

authority used twice. Change 'to those authorities specifically and exclusively delegated

herein'. 'All rights are inherent solely in the people.

Martinez - include comment to the effect of limiting interpretation.

Angwin - this is sales pitch, should not be lengthy or wordy, should be short and

enticing. Recommend delete all after the word constitution. Change to '

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Copyright at Common Law, West El Paso Information Network, 1997