"Let there be no walls in this House," Straus declares

   AUSTIN - Newly elected Texas House Speaker Joe Straus reached out to lawmakers across tthe political and philosphical spectrum as he promised to instill the 150-member chamber with "an atmosphere where everyone's voice can and should be heard."

   "I will try my best to empower members so that they can and do what is right for their constituents and for the people of Texas,"  the 49-year-old San Antonio Republican said in his acceptance speech after colleagues unanimously elected him to one of the most powerful positions in state goverment.  "After all, that is why we are here."

     Straus was chosen less than two weeks ago as a consensus candidate to oppose then-incumbent Speaker Tom Craddick and then swiftly gathered more than the needed votes to  win election on the opening day of the session.  Craddick backed away from seeking re-election but remains a representative from Midland.

    As he stood behind the podium to accept his position, Straus thanked Craddick and his wife, Nadine, for "their historic service to Texas...He cares about this state and I honor him."

    But Straus also alluded to past divisions that critics blamed on Craddicks leadership and promised an era of openness that would enable all members to best represent their constituents.

   "A House divided against itself cannot stand," Straus said in repeating an historical phrase that originated in the Bible and was spoken by Sam Houston and Abraham Lincoln.  

  "Let's promise ourselves - let there be no walls in this House." 

  -- Dave Montgomery

Comments

[Southlake resident and lifelong Texan]

Might he be as good a Speaker as Pete Laney? Let's hope so...he sounds like a breath of fresh air, which is much needed in our fair capitol.