Lubbock Democrats Honor Stenholm with Local Hero Award

Lubbock, TX, Avalanche-Journal ^ | 01-18-04 | Fuquay, John

[Theodore R.]

Local Democrats honor Stenholm with Local Hero Award

By JOHN FUQUAY AVALANCHE-JOURNAL

Only 11 days since becoming a U.S. representative serving Lubbock, Charlie Stenholm was honored Saturday with a Local Hero Award from the Lubbock County Democratic Party.

Stenholm was thrown into Lubbock's congressional district after a Republican-backed move to draw new lines and gain more House seats.

The Abilene Democrat is the former representative from District 17, but Abilene was moved into District 19 where voters elected Republican Randy Neugebauer of Lubbock in a special election during the summer.

"Republicans are the opposition, they're not the enemy," Stenholm said during a meeting Saturday with area Democrats at the Lubbock Memorial Civic Center.

"They're the opposition, and if we're going to take back the House and take back the Senate ... we're going to have to have better ideas."

Stenholm said Texas, Iowa, New Hampshire and several other states will have close congressional races, which will create excitement.

Predicting a wave of Democratic resurgence, the 26-year House veteran received a standing ovation when he declared, "I intend to be chairman of the House Agriculture Committee."

Stenholm already serves as the committee's ranking minority member.

If re-elected, he said he also plans to concentrate on health and water issues and work toward stabilizing Social Security.

Texas Democratic Party Chairman Charles Soechting also attended the banquet and said Republicans may see some backlash for forcing redistricting.

The months-long process included a walkout, special sessions and bitter debate at public hearings across the state. A panel of three federal judges upheld the new boundaries Jan. 6.

"People around this state are aggravated, irritated, upset and everything else you can say about the way (House Majority Leader) Tom DeLay and the Republican Party handled this," Soechting said. "I think they're going to punish Republicans for that."

Stenholm received his award at the fourth annual Local Heroes Banquet. Past recipients of the award include former Gov. Preston Smith and state Rep. Pete Laney of Hale Center.

john.fuquay@lubbockonline.com 766-8722

[stands2reason]

I'm brand new to Abilene. The day I moved here is the day that SCOTUS passed on review of the new map. I see Stenholm's name in the phonebook et al. as my "representative in the U.S. Congress"-- and I smile. Thanks Tom!


Lubbock Democrats? Is there a phonebooth left in the city that they can meet in?

[Theodore R.]

Remember at one time Lubbock was 90 percent Democrat. How many years ago was that?

[kittymyrib]

Would somebody check Charlie's voting record on conservative (not agricultural)issues? I think he votes with Barney Frank more often than anyone in Lubbock, Texas, would want their representative to. He narrowly won re-election against nobodies the last two times, so he is ripe for retirement.

[farmfriend]

Rights, farms, environment ping.
Let me know if you wish to be added or removed from this list.
I don't get offended if you want to be removed.

---

If this is taxes with reprsentation
Give me taxes without representation
I much prefer a tax on tea!
Instead of everything else.

[E.G.C.]

BTTT!!!!!

[dfwgator]

Isn't Natalie (Saddam Chicks) Maines from Lubbock?

[Theodore R.]

Isn't Natalie (Saddam Chicks) Maines from Lubbock?

Yes, at least one of the "Chicks" is from Lubbock, maybe two of them. I know nothing about them. Lubbock also produced Buddy Holly, Ralna English, and Mac Davis.