Texas Constitutional Convention Updates
Texas
Constitutional Convention Updates
Texas Constitutional Convention
Wesley W. Burnett, Publicity and
Advertising Chairman
(806) 495-2817 or FAX (806) 495-2059
For a complete
copy of the Texas Constitution 2000, visit our web site:
http://www.tcrf.com/
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - December 5, 1998
Hemp paper is extremely difficult to find in Texas. That's what the commercial printer contracted to produce archival quality copies of the new Texas Constitution 2000 discovered after more than two months of searching for adequate supplies of hemp paper.
When first approached about the project, he laughed and said, "Hemp? Isn't that illegal?" Of course, most Americans have come to see hemp as part of the "drug problem," when in fact, hemp is one of the most versatile and environmentally sound plants in the world. "When I learned that most of our bibles are printed on hemp paper, and that hemp is not the same as marijuana, I began to realize the value of printing the constitution on hemp paper," the experienced printer adds.
He also discovered that the original American Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were printed on hemp paper, and those who have seen those documents on display marvel at the quality of preservation. "We decided we had to have our adopted and signed constitution on hemp paper," Texas Constitutional Convention chairman Don Henson of El Paso comments, "it was clearly the only choice." Henson points out that not only is hemp paper the absolute best for archival purposes, "using hemp paper makes a bold statement about how this new constitution will secure the right of farmers and the free market. No longer will government dictate to people what they can and can not grow on their own land."
The strength and durability of the fiber content in hemp makes it one of the premier plants in the world. In the United States, commercial hemp production was a major agricultural and industrial product until the 1930s, when Congress enacted its first ill-advised and dangerous "anti-drug" measure, basically destroying one of America's oldest and most respected products. When World War II cut off supplies of hemp from the far east, the federal government relaxed its rules and literally begged hemp farmers to get back in production for the "war effort.".
"When we sign our names to the Texas Constitution 2000 at our formal adoption ceremony December 12," Henson adds, "we will be signing on hemp paper, on sheets produced in Texas by a Texas company. We propose a new beginning for industry and agriculture, one in which decisions of what to grow and what to produce are made by the owners and operators of businesses, unhindered by an economically, politically and morally bankrupt government."
The formal signing will take place at the historic Washington-on-the-Brazos State Park when the 13th session of the Texas Constitutional Convention convenes at 10 a.m. in the park's Education Center. Delegates to the convention, having met since July 4, 1997, are scheduled to sign 125 archival copies of the Texas Constitution 2000 in the formal ceremony.
Ratification of the new Texas constitution will be conducted through county ratification conventions.
Other contacts for additional information:
Wesley W. Burnett (806)
495-4135 or (806) 495-2816
Don Henson (915) 587-4616
http://www.tcrf.com/
Copyright at Common Law, West El Paso Information Network, 1998
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