WEPIN Store

Convention Update Page
Texas Constitutional Convention Updates

Approved Minutes of Session 13

Approved Minutes of the Thirteenth Session of the Texas Constitutional Convention of 1997

An invocation was given by Jay Baggett at 10:00 am on December 12, 1998 at Washington-on-the-Brazos. Meeting was called to order by Don Henson, Chair, at 10:05. Mr. Henson gave opening remarks and then asked the secretary to call the roll. Roll was called and a quorum declared.

Delegates present were:

Karen Williams
Cloyce Williams
Robert Sudbury
Kay Procter
Janice Henson as proxy for Alonso Martinez
Don Henson
Bobbie Sudbury
Jay Baggett
Wes Burnett

A motion to approve the minutes of the 12th Session was made by Wes Burnett and seconded by Kay Procter. Motion carried. Minutes were accepted.

A motion to approve minutes by e-mail was made by Bobbie Sudbury and seconded by Robert Sudbury. Motion carried. Motion is worded as follows:

"Move that:

"1. The Secretary shall prepare proposed minutes and submit them within one calender month to the Chair either via email or via a diskette.

"2. The Chair shall proof-read the proposed minutes, making minor corrections as necessary, and shall publish the suggested changes on the constitution internet discussion list and email the suggested changes to each delegate for which the Chair has an email address.

" 3. If any delegate wants to make a correction to the proposed minutes, the proposed corrections shall be emailed to the Chair (wepin@wepin.com). The Chair shall notify the delegate that the proposed corrections have been received and the process shall start over again at step 2 above.

"4. If the Chair has not received any proposed corrections within one calender month after the date the latest proposed minutes were published, the minutes shall be considered accepted. The Chair will send a printed copy of the accepted minutes to the Secretary who shall sign the minutes and add them to the files."

A motion to transfer TCRC Responsibilities from the Convention to the TCRF was made by Kay Procter and seconded by Janice Henson. Motion carried. Motion is worded as follows:

"Move that the responsibility and authority for selecting, contracting with, compensating, supervising, hiring, and terminating members of the Texas Constitution Ratification Committee (TCRC) be hereby delegated to the Texas Constitution Ratification Fund (TCRF)."

The Floor was given to Wes Burnett to introduce the first two applicants to the TCRC. Wes first introduced William Sanford Smith III of Pasadena. Mr. Smith graduated from Austin College. His qualifications include Administration manager, radio announcer, elder and deacon in the Presbyterian church. Mr. Smith then gave his comments. He is a native Texan and a libertarian who has decided to make a stand for Texas. He agrees that the task in not going to be easy. He continues that there are other factors to be considered, other groups to be included, and other factions of Texans that need to be convinced of the need to support this constitution. The other applicant has a draft plan that he, Mr. Smith, likes. Mr. Smith plans to concentrate on fund raising, perhaps hire a professional fund raiser as he himself is not a professional in this field. He realizes that if he does not know how to do something, he should find a professional to help. He promised to get the job done.

Mr. Burnett then introduced the second applicant. His name is Jim Davidson. His resume includes degrees from Columbia University and Rice University. He has worked with marketing and space travel packages. He is dedicated to this constitution. Mr. Davidson then gave his comments. He was introduced to the convention in 1997 and invited to be a delegate. At the time, he was beginning a new business and did not become a delegate. He is impressed by the constitution. He likes it not having "elastic clauses". He invited everyone to help the ratification with the necessary fund raising. He passed out pledge forms and pens to everyone present. He states that commitment is the basis for fund raising. He has previously worked with two fund raisers that raised over $10,000 this way. He told everyone to think about freedom and what this constitution means to each person. He does not want anyone to give up what they need to live, but does not want a token contribution either. He asks everyone to decide what they want to give and to divide the total amount into installments. He stated that he would send requests for the remaining promised contributions. He said to make checks payable to the Texas Constitution Ratification Fund. He asks everyone to fill out pledge forms. Then Mr. Davidson passed the hat to collect all contributions and pledge forms. All monies were given to Don Henson to count.

Mr. Burnett then stated that there were no other applicants at this time, but there are 12 positions available and asked everyone to help find people to fill these positions. These positions will be compensated at the rate of the current governor of Texas. This compensation may be made by promissory note.

The Floor was then returned to Don Henson. A motion to accept this constitution was made by Robert Sudbury and seconded by Kay Procter. Motion carried. Motion is worded as follows:

"Move to adopt Texas Constitution 2000 and submit it to the people of Texas with a strong recommendation for ratification."

Don Henson then commented that this was the first time since 1836 that a group of people outside government have written a constitution. He further stated that anyone who donates $1000.00 will receive a signed copy of the constitution. Each delegate, the Secretary of State of Texas, and the State Archives in Austin would receive a signed copy. The remaining signed copies would be distributed to contributors to the cause. All people who had ever been or were currently delegates or proxies and were present were asked to sign. All others present were given a signature page to sign to show their support for the constitution. Don Henson was the first delegate to sign. Others to sign (in order of signature on the first document) were: Wes Burnett, Jay Baggett, Bobbie Sudbury, Kay Procter, Robert Sudbury, Cloyce Williams, Karen Williams, Charles Doreck, Janice Henson, Jerry Pool, Valencia Pool, Cathy Childress, David Childress, Michael Angwin, Benjamin Angwin, Monty Barnett, and David Sanders.

At 10:30 Charles Doreck arrived and gave his approval of the constitution by word and signature.

The monies collected were counted. $3,710 was pledged with $553 being received in cash. This money was presented to the Ratification Fund to be used to help with the ratification process.

Discussion was then opened about the constitution and its lack of an amendment process. It was agreed that not everyone agreed on every aspect of the constitution, but it is a document with a people's government working from the county up and is supported by all delegates and proxies. The current 1876 constitution has over 500 amendments and there is no single document containing it all.

At 10:45 Monty Burnett arrived and gave his approval by word and signature.

The Floor then accepted comments from anyone present.

A gentleman who was in attendance stated: According to God's will this convention will accomplish a lot. We must let God run the country and always remain on Israel's side.

Robert Sudbury stated: I have had a lot of personal heartaches, many things have happened, many people who should be here are not here. In 1836 people were here doing the same thing that we are doing here today, but those people had an army chasing them. We are under the same conditions but of a different type. We are pledging a great deal, maybe our whole lives. A lot of people know about this. Congratulations, we are the survivors.

Wes Burnett stated: Janice May said "Well my goodness. They're just taking the constitution literally." How else would she like us to take it? We are basically being ignored. There will be a day when we are not ignored. It may be a little rough. We can make it.

Jim Davidson stated: The 15 December 1789 ratification of the Bill of Rights, the anniversary of which is quite close to the date of this meeting, was a great thing, but our Article 1 is better than the Bill of Rights.

Joseph Dale Robinson stated: This is a remarkable day and place. We have many benefits such as the Bill of Rights (thanks to James Madison). This is the anniversary of the Bill of Rights. There is a major event going on right now. The President is being brought to account by the people. The message to the world is powerful. We are exercising our heritage to do what we are doing today. I am proud to be here. Join me in proclaiming that time.

Monty Barnett stated: Let's sign the rest of the copies. Get the show on the road.

Floor was given to Wes Burnett to discuss fund raising. Fund raising is in the hands of the TCRC.

A motion to adjourn was made by Wes Burnett and seconded by Cloyce Williams. Motion carried. Motion is worded as follows:

"Move that this convention adjourn without setting a day and time for reconvening but that the Chair be empowered to call the convention back into session at a place and time of his choosing in the event that it becomes necessary to continue the business of the convention. Such session shall be scheduled no earlier than one month after a good faith effort to notify all currently seated delegates of the session."

Convention was adjourned at 11:00 am.

Certified Correct,

Bobbie Sudbury
Secretary

Convention Update Index