Lawmakers involved in 'Killer Bees' protest offer advice on tactics
05/13/2003
AUSTIN – The House Democrats who have taken flight to avoid a vote on congressional redistricting got moral support Monday – and a bit of advice – from the "Killer Bees" whose similar protest paralyzed the Senate two decades ago.
"I do want to express my thanks for their courage," said U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett of Austin, one of 12 Democrats who hid for almost five days in 1979 in a successful ploy to block passage of a disputed elections bill.
Former Sen. Bill Patman, now retired in Austin, offered hints for avoiding troopers, who have been dispatched to round them up and bring them back.
"They should pick some secure locations and scatter. I don't think you can find a place where 53 people can be holed up and not have it pretty apparent," he said.
FILE / DMN Sen. Carlos Truan showed off his "Killer Bees" T-shirt in 1979. |
They were unhappy with a bill backed by Lt. Gov. Bill Hobby, the Senate presiding officer, that would have created two primary elections, helping former Gov. John Connally's GOP presidential bid.
Mr. Hobby named the group, saying the senators were about as useful as killer bees. But they returned after he withdrew the bill and vowed not to retaliate.
Mr. Doggett wished the new House defectors well. The decision to bolt, he said, is gut-wrenching and fraught with political danger.
"Each of them is taking a risk," he said. "But when you see things twisted and distorted ... it calls for extraordinary action."
Mr. Doggett also predicted they will be vindicated at the polls. "When people have a chance to fairly evaluate their conduct they will see it was well-justified," he said.
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"If the situation is serious enough, it's a legitimate legislative ploy," said Mr. Clower, now a Fort Worth lawyer.
Though the move might have contributed to his 1980 re-election defeat, Mr. Clower said he is proud of what he and his colleagues did.
"It wasn't particularly happy being in the room with all those people all that time – it was a very small room – but for what we accomplished, it was worth it," he said.
Former Sen. A.R. "Babe" Schwartz, now an Austin lobbyist, said the defections aren't a surprise. He said Republicans have been too aggressive in pushing their agenda after winning control of the Texas House for the first time in more than 100 years.
"This was foreseeable. A Republican majority set out to do what they thought needed to be done in Texas in all those years when they were in the minority. The problem was that there should have been some consideration given to not doing it all at one time," he said.
Mr. Parker said he doesn't know how the rebellion will play out but he expects hard feelings. "There's probably going to be more bitterness over it than it was when we were there, because I think it's more partisan," he said.
Staff writer Matt Stiles contributed to this report.
Email gkuempel@dallasnews.com
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