Gregg County Democratic Party

Jim Wright, former speaker of the US House of Representatives, will speak Tuesday, April 26, at 7:00 p.m. at the IBEW union hall in Longview on the “Community and the Workforce.”
Wright's visit, which is free and open to anyone, is sponsored by the Gregg County Democratic Party and is part of the “Water Cooler ’05” series of public forums with Speaker Wright heading up the panel. Also on the panel is an economist, Professor Bob Lawson, a union official, T.J. Burrows, President and Business Manager of IBEW Local 738 and President of the Greater East Texas Central Labor Council, local business owners, Jim Cogar, owner of Year Round Lawn Care, and Eddie Towles, owner of Eddie Towles Phone Center, and a workers’ advocate, Simon Balderas of the Texas Workforce Commission. Steve Richardson, Vice Chair of the Gregg County Democratic Party will moderate the forum. Introducing Speaker Wright is local attorney, Frank Supercinski.
Speaker Wright, a Democrat from Texas' 12th District, served in the US House of Representatives from 1955 to 1989. He was speaker of the House from 1987 to 1989, after he served as majority leader for 10 years. He is the author of major legislation in the fields of foreign affairs, economic development, water conservation, education and energy. He chaired the Democratic National Convention in 1988. Before he was elected to Congress at the age of 31, he served in the Texas legislature and as mayor of Weatherford, Texas, his boyhood home (he was elected to those offices at the ages of 23 and 26, respectively). He was also the president of the Texas League of Municipalities. He won a Distinguished Flying Cross in World War II for his combat missions with the Army Air Corps in the South Pacific. He is the author of six books. Now 82 and living in Fort Worth, he teaches a class at Texas Christian University, writes columns and book reviews for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram and other Knight Ridder publications, and is a consultant to American Income Life Insurance Company.
The public is invited to attend and to participate in the question and answer “town hall” style event at the IBEW union hall at 2914 East Marshall Avenue just west of Loop 281. There is no charge to attend.
Steve Richardson, Vice Chair of the Gregg County Democratic Party, said that Speaker Wright was invited to kick off the “Water Cooler ’05” series of public forums because his philosophy of standing up for the little guy embodies what the Democratic Party stands for today.
Richardson cited differences between Democrats and Republicans and said he believes Democrats do a better job than Republicans do at legislation that helps workers. “Speaker Wright will talk to us about issues related to US workers today. His presentation will be of interest to all who have a job or hire workers.”
The Gregg County Democratic Party sponsors the forum “Water Cooler ‘05” series held on the fourth Tuesday of each month at the IBEW hall in Longview. For more information, see the Party’s web site at www.GreggDemocrats.com, or call (903) 759-5555. The Gregg County Democratic Party gratefully acknowledges the contribution of the IBEW Local 324 Electricians Union of their hall and the financial assistance of Democrats United.

Democratic Party in Gregg County Initiates Sustaining Membership Drive

The Gregg County Democratic Party has started a sustaining membership drive.
The purpose is to finance a low cost, but highly visible headquarters in or near downtown Longview. The headquarters will provide space for campaign work for Democratic candidates in the Democratic Primary and the General Election, both next year.
For as little as $10 a month – that’s 33 cents a day – you can support this project. By agreeing to a monthly automatic withdrawal from your bank account, you will help fund a headquarters for the Party and likely never even miss the $10 a month.
It is quite painless. Just complete the form and hand it in or mail it in. The address is on the form.
If you don’t want to sign up for the automatic monthly withdrawal, you can make a once-a-year payment, semi-annual payments, or quarterly payments, either tonight or by mail. All the information is on the form.
Donations are also accepted, of course. A signed donation sheet must accompany all donations in order to comply with political contribution reporting laws.
Join today and support your Party!