Senator Eliot Shapleigh - El Paso, Texas

Fireworks at the El Paso downtown street Festival 2007.

Chalk the Block Art Community in Downtown El Paso.

Lisa D's Radio Show

State fire officials were viewing hours of security video Sunday night as part of a massive investigation into who set a predawn fire at the Texas Governor's Mansion that sent huge plumes of smoke through downtown and left the 152-year-old building with a partially collapsed roof, blackened windows and fire-charred white columns on its porch.

Stonewall Johnson was born on January 21, 1824 in Clarksburg, West Virginia. He went on to become one of the most revered Confederate generals of the American Civil War. Wait, that's Stonewall Jackson. Stonewall Johnson was born on March 21, 1951 in Washington D. C. and went on to become one of the most controversial and obstinate Administrators of the Environmental Protection Agency, whose testimony before Congress has given him the inside track for this year's Golden Duke Award for Outstanding Achievement in Corruption-based Chutzpah.

Keith Olbermann documents how Phil Gramm lobbied for subprime lenders while writing McCain's housing policy.

Senator Shapleigh sits down to talk with Representative-elect Marisa Marquez. The interview was conducted on April 8, 2008 and is produced with the help of the El Paso Community College.

California Energy Commissioner Art Rosenfeld is a pioneer in the energy conservation movement. He talks with John Blackstone. (CBSNews.com)

Austin is full of "payday lenders" that will give you a quick loan -- for a high price. A 7 On Your Side investigation discovered, payday lenders are using a loophole in the law to avoid state regulation -- regulation designed to protect you.

Senator Eliot Shapleigh said he hears horror stories about customers trapped in a cycle of payday debt. Shapleigh tried to close the so-called "CSO loophole" last year. His bills would have banned CSOs from lending money, and given the Consumer Credit Commissioner regulatory authority over payday lenders.

This El Paso Times archive video of the May 15, 2007 search of El Paso County offices by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Video by Jay Koester (El Paso Times).

The story of Asarco in El Paso.

A growing trend in the hospital industry means cancer patients like Lisa Kelly are being asked to pay cash upfront before receiving treatment. (Wall Street Journal Video, April 28, 2008).

This video showcases the 10th anniversary of the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) Light Rail system. The video talks about the history and future plans for the system in North Texas.

State Senator Eliot Shapleigh represents the 29th Senatorial District which comprises the majority of El Paso County, Texas. He is a fifth generation El Pasoan, a lawyer and civic activist.

Two Doña Ana county commissioners, a priest from the Segundo Barrio, and a group of concerned citizens from Las Cruces, El Paso and Juárez visit a Juárez neighborhood held hostage.

Candelario Barragan, known as "Cande" to his colleagues, brings excitement and enthusiasm to his math and AP Calculus classes at El Dorado High School in El Paso. This video, which features scenes from his classroom as well as comments from students and colleagues alike, shows why Barragan was one of 75 outstanding educators nationwide surprised this year with a $25,000 Milken Educator Award. For more information, visit www.mff.org

On the day before Thanksgiving, November 21st at 12pm, consumer, African American, Latino, and Asian American groups held an anti-foreclosure protest against Countrywide Financial and its CEO Angelo Mozilo. Approximately 100 protesters gathered for the public demonstration.

It is estimated that Countrywide alone will foreclose on 5,000 homeowners in San Diego, and at least 50,000 statewide before Christmas of 2008.

For more information, please visit: www.greenlining.org or www.mabuhayalliance.org.

University of Maryland students join Sen. Shapleigh for a morning hike up Mt. Franklin in El Paso, Texas. The students are in El Paso on a "Border Awareness Alternative Spring Break."

Building a house for a family of 5 in Anapra, Juarez, Mexico. Oct. 7-12, 2007.

An inside "exclusive" look at the process where tonight many voters faced a confusing and sometimes chaotic voting experience... yet Democracy at its best. In San Antonio, Texas hundreds turned out after 7pm for the Democratic Caucuses. Interviews, great inside caucusing video, reporter takes you up to the point he votes, sharing the entire process. Story by Emmy award winning Journalist, Patricio Espinoza. Shot with home Flip camera.

From the Spin Room at the Democratic Debate in Austin, Bill Brannon discusses the long term impact of the increased voter turnout projected for the Texas Democratic Primary. For more on progressive politics visit http://www.thetexasblue.com.

February 13, 2008 at the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Headquarters. The hearing for the renewal of ASARCO's air permit for its copper smeltering plant in El Paso, Texas.

Democratic presidential candidate talks to supporters in El Paso, Texas.

Polls indicate that the economy ranks as the number one issue on the minds of Americans, beating out immigration, global warming, even terrorism. NOW on PBS heads to America's heartland -- Illinois -- to investigate rampant anxiety among America's middle class. How did families on the edge of financial collapse get to this point, and which presidential candidate do they think can restore economic hope and stability?

The case against ASARCO.

In 2007, Senator Mario Gallegoes risked his health to halt the voter I.D. Bill in the Texas Senate. Mario’s courageous stand insured that every Texan had the right to vote and be counted.

A simple scan of statistics shows Texas at or near the bottom of countless rankings: Dead last for the number of people with medical insurance. Home to the three poorest counties in the country. At the bottom of the heap in protection of the environment. Ditto for teen pregnancies. See the whole photo essay by Mona Reeder at: www.dallasnews.com.

The late Texas governor gives a personal reflection on Austin, land, water and the future. Outtake from the forthcoming documentary "The Unforeseen." Directed by Laura Dunn and Executive Produced by Terrence Malick and Robert Redford.

Community Scholars is a non-profit that has been serving the El Paso area for nearly a decade. For more information, visit www.communityscholars.org.

Over 120,000 lights in sync to the music of The Trans-Siberian Orchestra. This year the show is 10 minutes long. The location of the house is at the corner of Bob Mitchell and Paseo De Oro in El Paso, Texas. The show runs on the weekends Friday, Saturday and Sunday @ 6, 7 and 8 p.m.

http://www.YouDecide2008.com - The 2008 Republican Presidential candidates debate on CNN sponsored by YouTube in St. Petersburg, Florida on November 28, 2007.

This is part 1 of the 2008 Democratic Presidential Debate held in South Carolina on July 23, 2007. It was sponsored by YouTube and CNN and features questions asked by YouTube viewers.

For more debate videos, visit: http://youtube.com/democraticdebate.

Hosted by the UCC Center for the Americas, Jerry and The Peace Bubble Tour visit the Chamizal National Memorial to hear a "missing story" about "the First Thanksgiving" that took place in 1598 in El Paso. A unit of the National Park Service, the Memorial commemorates the signing of the Chamizal Treaty, ending a 100-year-old boundary dispute between Mexico and the United States.

A video about El Paso that Erika Moeller put together. She writes, "[S]o many people don't realise what we were once and what we can be again. I want people to see our potential. I want people to get interested. Care about where you live."

Long lines at our area's borders may soon be a scene of the past.

Thursday Nov. 8, 2007 the Senate Committee on Transportation and Homeland Security met in El Paso to discuss efficiency in the border crossing process.

(source: KFOX News)

A video slide-show of El Paso and Juárez in the Summer of 2006.

Lt. Governor David Dewhurst visited El Paso's Medical School at Texas Tech University on Sept. 19, 2007.

Vote "Yes" on Nov. 6 for El Paso's Children's Hospital. This rally was held in support of the Children's Hospital on Nov. 17, 2007.

On Sept. 28, 2007, PBS aired an in-depth interview with John Bogle, the creator of The Vanguard Group, Inc., one of the two largest mutual fund organizations in the world. He says says that as more and more money managers take control over corporations on Wall Street, Main Street is paying the price.

The City of El Paso, along with support from various civic, governmental and community members, stands strong in its resolve against the reopening of ASARCO. ASARCO lost its case before two Administrative Law Judges. The City has successfully demonstrated that ASARCO's record of non-compliance makes it unworthy of an air permit. ASARCO has lost its right to seek a new air permit because it failed to comply with the conditions of previous permits granted by the State. ASARCO is a bad corporate citizen and the TCEQ should not issue it an air permit.

The EPA has proposed listing Hayden as a Superfund site so it can be decontaminated. The polluter, ASARCO, suggested doing the work without EPA watching them. Hayden residents speak unanimously: Have EPA list the town as a Superfund site and manage the cleanup. They don't trust ASARCO or the state of Arizona to do it right.

On Sept. 23, 2007, over one thousand El Pasoans gathered together to take a picture . . . with one message: "No Asarco!"

SEPT. 23 at 6 PM...be apart of thousands to say NO to ASARCO! www.gettheleadout.net or call 544-1990

Senator Shapleigh visits with NMSU President Dr. Mike V. Martin and Community Scholars Exec. Dir. Sofia Larkin.

Ft. Bliss and White Sands Missile Range makes up 26 percent of the U.S. Army's land mass. Ideal size for U.S.A.C.E. construction of state-of-the-art training ranges.

The El Paso Environmental Summit planning committee makes final arrangements for the 2007 summit at the YISD Cultural Arts Center on September 7.

Scenes from a roadtrip from El Paso to Marfa, Texas.

Brian Williams, with MSNBC, does a segment on El Paso, filmed on location from the Paso Del Norte bridge.

After 15 years of work, El Paso opened the largest inland desalination plant in the world on August 8, 2007. The plant is named after U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison.

This is a video a Tacoma resident made with an analog video camera on Jan.17,1993, in the Puget Sound, near Tacoma,Washington. It shows the demolition of an old smokestack at a foundry once operated by ASARCO. As you can see, it was a big story in Tacoma at that time.

Senator Shapleigh and staff visit the Center Against Family Violence in El Paso.

Rosa Alfaro is our newest staff member in Austin and the West Texas Food Bank plans for the Sun Bowl Parade Food Drive in El Paso.

Asarco, a 100-year-old copper smelter, wants to re-open in the center of the El Paso/Juarez/New Mexico metroplex. Their proposed air permit will allow Asarco to emit 7,000 tons of pollutants into the air every year.

The space shuttle Atlantis and its crew are home after completing a 14-day journey of more than five-point-8 millions miles in space. Atlantis' STS-117 mission successfully increased the power capability of the International Space Station, preparing for the future delivery of European and Japanese laboratories.

Atlantis' Commander Rick Sturckow, Pilot Lee Archambault and mission specialists Jim Reilly, Patrick Forrester, Steven Swanson, El Pasoan John "Danny" Olivas and Sunita Williams landed Friday, June 22, at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., at 3:49 p.m. EDT. (NASA TV)

City Council members Beto O'Rourke, Susie Byrd and Steve Ortega, with County Commissioner Veronica Escobar visit with former Mayor and State Senator Kirk Watson at Austin City Hall.

Staff from the Office of Senator Eliot Shapleigh meet in El Paso to discuss interim work and review the work of the last session.

David Espino, a student at Horizon High School, made this video "so people can understand what is going on in El Paso."

During the 80th Texas Legislature, Senator Shapleigh visits with the Office of the Secretary of the Senate and the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms.

The 80th Texas Legislature gaveled to a close at midnight Monday, May 28, 2007.

The final days of the Texas Legislature are called "crunch time." Legislators work late into the night and early into the morning passing bills. Also, this week, the Bel Air Pipeband plays for Texas' fallen soldiers.

Riverside Middle School visits the Capitol and El Pasoans educate legislators on ending Medicaid waiting lists.

Students from Travis Elementary in El Paso visited the Texas Capitol on May 10, 2007.

Follow Senator Shapleigh from his apartment in downtown Austin to his work at the State Capitol. And see where the state laws are written for El Paso and Texas.

H.B. 218 would suppress the vote in Texas if made law. This bill passed the House on April 24, 2007 and has been referred to the Senate State Affairs Committee.

The challenges and opportunities of U.S. and Mexican border communities, including El Paso, were addressed by border officials from both countries at the XV Border Legislative Conference (BLC).

We must protect people like Mary from the hundreds of dog attacks that take place in Texas every year. Taking care of Texans means taking care of every day citizens like Mary Legorreta.

The challenges and opportunities of U.S. and Mexican border communities, including El Paso, were addressed by border officials from both countries at the XV Border Legislative Conference (BLC).

The Senate Subcommittee on Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) hears S.B. 960, S.B. 961, and S.B. 962 authored by Senator Shapleigh. (more)

Governor Bill Richardson comes to Austin and Senator Shapleigh talks about "Texas Borderlands."

Teachers rally at the Capitol, Caroline works on talking points, and Senator Shapleigh shares his thoughts on the TYC abuse scandal.

Communities In Schools is anchor to the nation's leading community-based organization helping young people stay in school and prepare for life.

For more than 25 years, Communities In Schools has helped students choose success by ensuring their access to the "Five Basics":

* A one-on-one relationship with a caring adult
* A safe place to learn and grow
* A healthy start and a healthy future
* A marketable skill to use upon graduation
* A chance to give back to peers and community

Senator Shapleigh filed S.B. 127 to increase funding for Communities In Schools in Texas.

Activity is picking up around the Texas Capitol and the Senate Transportation and Homeland Security Committee meets.

Senator Shapleigh visits with Frontera de Salud, medical students advocating preventative medicine for diabetes; and the Strelz visits Austin.

With 17 votes, the Texas Senate passed a resolution to 'bust the cap' on state spending, to deliver property tax cuts that will go disproportionately to the wealthy.

The El Paso Library Association visits Austin, along with a delegation of business and civic leaders. And Mayor John Cook talks about the future of our city.

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.

Senator Shapleigh's office the week of January 25, 2007. Senator Shapleigh's interns, a visit by fmr. Senator Gonzalo Barrientos and a presentation at UT.

Senator Shapleigh covers legislative research with his staff, while preparing for the 80th Texas Legislature.

Senator Shapleigh was sworn in for his fourth term on Jan. 9, 2007. Also, see more inside your Senate office and a tour of the Capitol.

Meet your Senate staff in Austin. The 80th Texas Legislature begins on January 9, 2007.