Senator Eliot Shapleigh - El Paso, Texas

On Monday, June 30 at 1:00 p.m., Senator Shapleigh will honor Paula Powell with the "Adelante Con Ganas Award." Every month Senator Shapleigh awards one or more persons who have made an extraordinary commitment to service, family and community.

Senator Shapleigh to Brief Press on TCEQ Open Records Lawsuit; Agency Seeks to Keep Asarco Ex-Parte Communications Confidential

"From Theodore Roosevelt to John F. Kennedy, our nation has demonstrated the capacity to maximize the security of Americans without sacrificing our basic freedoms—regardless of who you are, where you live, or what happens to be the color of your skin."

"We believe that by working together, we can enhance the great outdoor experience in the crown jewels of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Systems- the El Paso State Parks."

The Americas 2020 Summit is aimed at bringing together government and private sector stakeholders from the U.S., Mexico and Canada to discuss and identify solutions to enhance the security and economic competitiveness of North America.

"We got the idea from an experienced veteran who told us the best things in a soldier's life are hot food and a letter from home."

The project is a letter writing campaign that gives area school children the opportunity to express their gratitude to our troops serving throughout the state. Elementary school students from Canutillo, Socorro, Ysleta, Clint and El Paso school districts have participated in the pen pal project, writing more than 1,700 letters.

"BRAC will impact education, public health, workforce, infrastructure and mental health agencies. To meet the challenge, we must prepare now."

Senator Shapleigh will host a "Coffee with Eliot" Open House and Interactive Visit on Friday, May 2. The first Friday of every month, Senator Shapleigh invites constituents to their El Paso senate office to share coffee and conversation with him and his staff.

"Asarco's '15% Rule' is clear discrimination that may directly affect the health and safety of El Paso steel workers. We want to know what OSHA plans to do to correct it."

Sandie Sparks-Olivar is the director and founder of The Miracle League of El Paso, an organization dedicated to assisting El Paso children ages three and up with mental and physical disabilities to play league baseball. In April, The Miracle League of El Paso celebrates the creation of a specially equipped baseball field at Ponder Park that will allow physically disabled children to play baseball alongside their able-bodied peers.

"Here is where wounded warriors come home. And the measure of our regard for their courage is in the quality of care we provide."

Senator Shapleigh will host a "Coffee with Eliot" Open House and Interactive Visit on Friday, April 4. The first Friday of every month, Senator Shapleigh invites constituents to their El Paso senate office to share coffee and conversation with him and his staff.

Since forming in 1993, the El Paso Affiliate has provided more than $2.2 million dollars to underserved men and women in El Paso, in 2007-2008 alone, providing more than $363,000 to the fight against breast cancer.

"In ten months, America will have a new President and a new Congress. Let us stop ill-conceived walls founded in current notions of racism until new leadership moves us to be the beacon of hope to the world once again."

ncreasingly, infectious Tuberculosis represents a serious social problem, great challenge and cost for the public health system. One-third of the world's population is infected with the bacterium that causes TB.

Senator Shapleigh will host a "Coffee with Eliot" Open House and Interactive Visit on Friday, March 7. The first Friday of every month, Senator Shapleigh invites constituents to their El Paso senate office to share coffee and conversation with him and his staff.

Challenges and Solutions Discussed on Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative

Today, Texas leads the United States in the number of people without health insurance. Harris county leads the state with over 800,000 uninsured residents. Dallas follows with almost 500,000 uninsured residents. In El Paso, 33 percent of the population is uninsured. One in four children has no health insurance at all.

This month's honoree, Rhasean Stephens, is a senior at Jefferson High School and the winner of the Martin Luther King, Jr. committee essay competition.

On Wednesday, Feb. 13, Senator Eliot Shapleigh and El Paso Mayor John Cook will hold a press conference to discuss the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality's (TCEQ) vote on ASARCO's El Paso air permit.

Every month, Senator Shapleigh hosts a Mission Valley Eastside Conference highlighting the work of agencies and organization in the Socorro, Clint, Ysleta and Horizon areas.

"Our nation needs safe, smart and fast ports in a post 9/11 world. What I fear is that an election-driven agenda from the far right-wing is influencing the governor's decision. Hopefully, we can reach agreement on what is best for Texas and America."

Senator Shapleigh will host a "Coffee with Eliot" Open House and Interactive Visit on Friday, February 1. The first Friday of every month, Senator Shapleigh invites constituents to their El Paso senate office to share coffee and conversation with him and his staff.

"Linda Gonzalez-Hensgen works tirelessly to improve the ways in which students at El Paso Community College are able to receive the aid vital to obtaining their education."

"With state-of-the-art technology, government can provide better, faster services at lower cost. That's exactly what taxpayers expect."

"Do the right thing. It's the right thing to do."

On Friday, December 7, Senator Eliot Shapleigh (SD-29) will hold a press conference to discuss the $27 million claim by the U.S. International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) against ASARCO.

"After 9/11, both border have a keen interest in moving people and product faster, safer and smarter. Now is the time to create an alliance since prosperity in all three countries depends on meeting this challenge."

Senator Shapleigh will host a Special Holiday "Coffee with Eliot" on Friday, December 7. The first Friday of every month, Senator Shapleigh invites constituents to their El Paso senate office to share coffee and conversation with him and his staff.

On Thursday, November 8, 2007 the Texas Senate Committee on Transportation and Homeland Security will hold a hearing in El Paso. The committee will hear testimony on state issues, including the enhanced drivers license program, traffic ticket surcharges, border security, and cross-border trade.

On Wednesday, November 7, 2007 at 11:00 a.m., Senator Shapleigh will honor Capt. Gabriel L. Navarrete with a posthumous "Adelante Con Ganas Award." This month's honoree, Capt. Navarrete, led the Boys of Company E in Italy during WWII .

Senator Shapleigh will host a "Coffee with Eliot" interactive visit on Friday, November 2. The first Friday of every month, Senator Shapleigh invites constituents to their El Paso senate office to share coffee and conversation with him and his staff.

On Saturday, October 27, 2007 at 7:00 a.m., Senator Shapleigh will participate in a environmental clean up sponsored by Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), Keep El Paso Beautiful, CEMEX, El Paso Electric and the City of El Paso.

On Thursday, October 25, 2007 at 7:00 p.m., Senator Shapleigh will honor Angel Haney with the Adelante Con Ganas Award at her home in El Paso. Every month Senator Shapleigh awards one or more persons who have made an extraordinary commitment to service, family and community.

"We believe certain counties in Texas are headed for record foreclosures and decreased property values unless strong actions is taken."

"Art is the view from our soul. With this state funding, more El Paso artists can create and promote the unique and wonderful art that makes us who we are today."

"When George Bush ran for President, he promised compassionate conservatism. Here, along the Border, we know too well what that means. For us, it means 'besos y buena suerte.'"

"As policies are crafted in Austin and DC, our vibrant, bi-national region must speak with a firm, confident and united voice about a border based on fast, secure and smart movement of people and products to build 21st century jobs for all our people."

"Now, we must move on to secure accreditation.
That is the next goal for our four-year medical school."

A picture typically says a thousand words. However, on Sunday, September 23, thousands of El Pasoans—family, friends and neighbors opposed to the re-opening of Asarco—will gather together in a community photograph to say one word in a single voice: "No!"

"No" to lead poisoning. "No" to a contaminated environment. "No" to multiple sclerosis clusters. "No" to hazardous waste law violations. "No" to dirty air. "No" to Asarco.

"El Paso-Juárez must push for secure, fast, smart movement of people and products to grow good jobs."

"Over the next few years, El Paso has key bond issues that must pass. Unless people trust public servants with public monies, they will not vote to invest. So now is the time to root out corruption to restore public trust."

"Excessive surcharges and their disproportionate impact on working families, the Driver Responsibility law is creating new debtor prisons. We all want a safe community, but taking parents from children and employees from the workplace to put them in jail because they can't afford to pay traffic fines does not make sense."

On Friday, July 13 at 1:30 p.m., Senator Shapleigh will honor Mary Legorreta with the Adelante Con Ganas Award at her home in El Paso.

On Tuesday, June 26, Senator Shapleigh will honor Barron’s Superette with the Adelante Con Ganas Award. Every month Senator Shapleigh awards one or more persons who have made an extraordinary commitment to service, family and community.

Tomorrow, Saturday, June 23, 2007 at 10:00 a.m., El Paso public officials will sign a "Contract with El Paso" for Ethical Government.

"Justice starts at the courthouse. We must act now to restore confidence and trust in our courts."

The first Friday of every month, Senator Shapleigh invites constituents to their El Paso senate office to share coffee and conversation with him and his staff.

"Our community cannot move to a 21st century knowledge-based economy with a 19th century polluting relic in the midst of our downtown and right next to our university. What Asarco's study fails to show is what 13.3 million pounds of pollution will cost us in health, high tech and quality of life."

Every month Senator Shapleigh awards one or more persons who have made an extraordinary commitment to service, family and community. This month he honors Colonel Robert T. Burns for his tireless commitment to our community and Ft. Bliss.

"This budget is much, much better than the one the Senate passed on April 12. This budget adds $1.5 billion for critical new investments in CHIP, teacher pay raises, highway bonds, better parks, child protection and TEXAS Grants."

"We first started dreaming about a medical school in Unite El Paso in 1992. More than any endeavor, a four-year medical school in El Paso will build jobs and give us a solid foundation for a prosperous future. Fifteen years of hard work have paid off this session. I want to thank my colleagues and especially Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, who has championed our medical school since day one."

"In cities across Texas, elderly and people with disabilities are suffering abuse at the hands of landlords who put eight or more in a room, take Social Security checks and give almost nothing in return. This bill addresses that abuse."

"It's done. We just needed to work harder to get it done—we're used to that in El Paso."

"Communities In Schools is the best program in Texas to keep kids in school and get them to graduation."

"In hundreds of horrific cases across Texas, the very young and old have been attacked, even killed by packs of pitbulls. With this bill, we send a strong message that we will protect people from dangerous dogs."

"Our RMA will meet mobility needs for many years to come. I congratulate the City for their work and commitment to our transportation needs."

"Loan officers have betrayed the trust of the students they serve. Students deserve an objective assessment of what loan plan is best for them, not the lender."

"Our border is the most vibrant region of the hemisphere with over 68 million legal crossings a year. With passport requirements coming soon, we need to make secure, fast crossings work for all who live and work in our region. S.B. 2027 is modeled on Washington States' bill that puts passport and citizen information in driver's licenses so Border residents need only one document to cross and return."

"Few issues have united El Paso, Juárez and Southern New Mexico like halting the 100 years of pollution caused by Asarco. We will fight this permit as long as Asarco's pollutants contaminate our air, our soil and our children."

"George Bush once said, 'America, at its best, is a place where personal responsibility is valued and expected.' In Health and Human Services in Texas we must expect more than failure."

"For too many Texans, affordable health care is out of reach. Our plan will make quality health care available for all Texans."

"In today's knowledge-based world, what you earn depends on what you learn."

"Ft. Bliss will grow faster than any base in the U.S. With these bills, and with the Inner Loop contract at TxDOT, we send a strong message that Texas supports our troops."

"In the West, cactus rustlers are stealing rare state treasures, like the Texas Rainbow and Golden Barrel, and taking them to Arizona and California for yards. We need to protect these rare and vulnerable cacti from theft, and protect our Chihuahua Desert environment."

Tomorrow, Tuesday, April 17, beginning at 9:00 a.m., the Senate Business & Commerce Committee will hear legislation, filed by Senator Eliot Shapleigh, aimed at curbing predatory lending abuses in Texas. The bills are S.B. 856, S.B. 857, and S.B. 858.

"Today, vote me as standing for children. We will build the medical school—but we must build a state that cares for children too."

"In our government, budgets reflect our values. Texas' budget is a statement of our moral choices. With the sober reality facing Texans today, our priority should be an investment in our children, not tax cuts for millionaires four years from now."

"The Frew case is to health care what Edgewood was to schools. Now, the State must provide basic access to health care for 106,000 El Paso children."

On Wednesday, April 4, Senator Shapleigh will host El Paso's first Tele-Town Hall meeting, starting at 8:00 p.m. Special guest for the Tele-Town Hall meeting will be Texas Tech Chancellor Kent Hance.

"In Texas, predatory lending is a plague. Seven of the ten highest sub-prime lending cities are in Texas. Some of these payday loans have a 1153% interest rate after all the fees are added in."

Today, the Texas Senate voted to approve Jay Kimbrough as Conservator of the Texas Youth Commission, with Senator Eliot Shapleigh casting the one "no" vote.

"El Paso-Juárez must push for secure, fast, smart movement of people and products to grow good jobs."

The preservation and promotion of El Paso's natural beauty will be the focus of a press conference scheduled for tomorrow, Friday, March 23, by Senator Eliot Shapleigh.

Senator Shapleigh will hold a press conference on S.B. 1573, the 21st Century College Success Act.

"When essential government functions are privatized, ask the question: Who gets the money? The concept here was flawed. Now we've paid the price. Children should never be privatized."

On Friday, March 9, Senator Shapleigh will brief the media on BRAC-related legislation he has filed in the 80th Legislative Session. The legislation discussed will include S.B. 960, S.B. 961, S.B. 962 and S.B. 374.

The Texas Senate unanimously passed this evening SR 384, requesting that the Legislative Audit Committee investigate the allegations and determine whether a condition of gross fiscal mismanagement exists in the Texas Youth Commission.

"Because of incompetence 200,000 children lost CHIP coverage. Here in Texas, HHSC is the functional equivalent of FEMA."

"$350 million is the single largest highway project in El Paso history."

The first Friday of every month, Senator Shapleigh invites constituents to their El Paso senate office to share coffee and conversation with him and his staff.

Every month Senator Shapleigh awards one or more persons who have made an extraordinary commitment to service, family and community. This month he honors United Blood Services for their tireless commitment to the health of El Paso's community.

Today's digital natives are captivated with teacher created lessons that infuse colors, sounds, movies and animations to target key concepts. Our teachers are transforming the way they teach in order to address the various learning styles of their students.

“One year ago today, Jennifer’s life ended in tragic violence. With this bill, we remember her, honor her and re-dedicate ourselves to breaking the cycle of violence that hurts so many women and families all across Texas.”

"Why 'bust the cap' when we don't know what will be spent? What's more important –tax cuts for the wealthy or CHIP for Texas children?"

Senator Shapleigh will hold his first "Coffee with Eliot" open door and interactive visit tomorrow, February 2.

"Without the courage to invest in the minds of our children, and steadfast support for great schools, we face a daunting prospect. Those who value tax cuts over children and budget cuts over college have put Texas at risk in her ability to compete and succeed."

"Our number one goal for El Paso is to fully fund the $43.8 million needed for 1st and 2nd year faculty. With the full amount in the base bill, we're off to a great start."

"The web is the best way for us to connect our people to Austin. These new features make it the best website in Texas."