By J. Lyn Carl, GalleryWatch.com
Austin, TX –
Calling the 79th Legislative Session "one that could go down as the most historic in modern times," Gov. Rick Perry paid an impromptu visit to both the Texas House and Senate as the two chambers convened Tuesday on the first day of the legislative session.
In the House, Perry praised House Speaker Tom Craddick (R-Midland), who had just been re-elected to a second term by a resounding 142-4 vote.
He said the Texas Legislature will continue its tradition of honoring the people of the state under the leadership of Craddick, who he called "a class act."
The governor also addressed Melissa Noriega, who was sworn in as the temporary acting state representative to fill in for her husband, Rep. Rick Noriega (D-Houston), a major in the Texas Army National Guard who is serving in Afghanistan.
"Your husband's sacrifice is greatly appreciated," Perry told her, "not only by your constituents but by all of the citizens of this state."
Perry called the first day in the House a day of celebration that will mark the "beginning of a bipartisan effort to protect the most vulnerable of our society and provide unlimited opportunity for the 4 million-plus school children in this state."
"It is our calling," he said, "to leave Texas a better place than how we found it. My door is open to you, your ideas - to build a better Texas."
Later in the Senate, Perry said the celebration in that chamber today is the beginning of a legislative session that will have a "deep and long-term impact on the people of this state."
He noted that the legislature will be dealing with the issue of caring for the most vulnerable in society, giving opportunity to the state's public school children and affecting the job climate in the state.
"I have great optimism about what we face," he said, calling Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst a "great, good, honorable and brilliant leader who will take the issues that face us as a state and run across the goal line with it." He said he is confident that Dewhurst will work with the House and "31 very divergent (Senate) egos - very capable individuals - to craft a future for this state that is the brightest that it's ever been."
Perry also said he joined a "chorus" of individuals in saying thank you to newly elected Senate President Pro Tempore Sen. Florence Shapiro (R-Plano). He praised her for her toughness as a legislator, but also noted that inside her tough exterior is a "great and good Texan."
The governor had final words for the Senate - "God bless you and let's go get the job done."