Houston Democrats

State Democratic Party Chair, Charles Soechting, welcomed the group of activists Saturday morning. DNC Chair Howard Dean offered opening remarks and was the keynote lunch speaker. One thing was obvious: this is not business as usual, the DNC is not taking the Latino or African American or any other group’s vote for granted and they are sincere about their 50 state strategy. Texas and other “red states” will no longer be ignored!

In addition to Democratic Superstars, such as Congressman Mike Honda, DNC Vice-Chair; Linda Chavez-Thompson, DNC Vice Chair; Alvaro Cifuentes, DNC Hispanic Caucus Chair; and Congresswoman Grace Napolitano, Congressional Hispanic Caucus, the meeting rooms were brimming with Democratic elected officials, candidates, and future candidates from throughout the state and country. Texas electeds included: State Representatives Pete Gallego, Aaron Peña, and Trey Martinez Fischer and U.S. Representative Charles Gonzalez, just to name a few of my favorites.

The summit included poll presentations, a plenary panel session covering topics such as Economic Growth, Education, Healthcare, Voting Rights and Judicial Appointments, and Working Group sessions. However, the highlight of the day (at least for me) was a presentation put on by Hispanics for a Fair Judiciary moderated by Estuardo Rodriguez, with panelists Congressman Charles Gonzales, St. Mary’s University Law Professor Rey Valencia, Victor Landa of the Southwest Voter Registration and Education Project and columnist with the San Antonio Express News, People for the American Way’s Deece Eckstein, and Luis Figueroa of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund. The focus of the discussion was pResident Bush’s nomination to the Supreme Court, Judge John Roberts. For more detailed coverage of this presentation, please visit MYSA.com.

From a Democratic Activist’s standpoint, Sunday morning’s Grassroots Training was the most useful information available at the Summit. The DNC trainers have promised to make the presentation available to attendees for dissemination and utilization in their home states. I will share that information with HCDP once it becomes available.

All in all, it was a very worthwhile weekend.

For Additional Photos--GO HERE!