Texas United Methodist Women’s 21st Annual Legislative Event a Success!

Testing Texas“Let it be said by our children's children that when we were tested, we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God's grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations.”

—President Barack Obama, Inaugural Address, January 20, 2009

 

More than 160 United Methodist Women gathered in Austin January 25-27, 2009 for the 21st annual United Methodist Women’s Legislative Event. This year’s theme, inspired by President Barack Obama’s words, was Testing Texas.

The Texas United Methodist Women’s Legislative Event is a national model educational program that brings together women of all ages and backgrounds to learn more about how their state government works and how they can be active, informed citizens. The event features policy presentations by legislators and policy experts from across Texas and beyond.

This year's topics included health care, the environment, immigration and human trafficking, and state revenue issues. The event featured two speakers from the United Methodist General Board of Church and Society.

A highlight of Legislative Event is always lobby visits. UMW members met with members of the Legislature and legislative staffers on Monday, January 26. Following their meetings, the women hosted legislators and their staffs at a reception in the Legislative Conference Center in the Capitol Extension. More than two dozen legislators and their staffs took the microphone to praise the United Methodist Women for their unwavering commitment to citizen leadership and justice.

Texas Impact works with UMW year-round to produce Legislative Event and ensure up-to-the-minute Texas public policy information in the context of United Methodist Social Principles. Since its inception, Legislative Event programming has been deliberately inclusive and non-partisan to remain true to the diversity that characterizes the United Methodist Church in Texas.

 

This year's speakers included:

  • Rev. Cynthia Abrams, Director for the Alcohol, Other Addictions, and Health Care Programs, United Methodist General Board of Church and Society
  • John Hill, Director of Economic and Environmental Justice, United Methodist General Board of Church and Society
  • State Representative Garnet Coleman
  • Hon. Ken Armbrister, Governor's Legislative Office
  • State Representative Mike Villarreal
  • State Representative Rafael Anchia
  • Dianne Longley, Director of Research and Analysis, Life, Health and Licensing, Texas Department of Insurance
  • Luke Metzger, Director, Environment Texas
  • Doug Lewin, Legislative Director, Office of Senator Rodney Ellis
  • Dick Lavine, Senior Fiscal Analyst, Center for Public Policy
  • Mustafa Tameez, Public Affairs Consultant, Outreach Strategists
  • Mohamed Elibiary, CEO, Muslim Freedom and Justice Foundation
  • Shelton Green, Baptist Christian Life Commission
  • Jennifer Carr Almon, Associate Director, Texas Catholic Conference

At the conclusion of each year's Legislative Event, participants adopt a legislative agenda and plan for educating and mobilizing women in local congregations across the state.

United Methodist Women is a national membership organization with nearly one million members whose purpose is to foster spiritual growth, develop leaders and advocates for justice. Members raise approximately $20 million a year for programs and projects related to women, children and youth in the United States and in more than 100 countries around the world. There are about 100,000 members of United Methodist Women in Texas.

 

Legislative Event 2009 Binder Materials

 

Testing Texas

Event Agenda

Speaker Biosnew

Senate Roster  (PDF) / (Website)       2009 Senate Committees new

House Roster   (PDF) / (Website)       2009 House Committees

Legislative Visit Form * Don't forget about the online version: www.texasimpact.org/visitform

Do This and You Will Live: A Justice Framework for Health Care

A New Diagnosis: Building the Private Market to Improve Health Coverage for Texans

Stewardship, Justice and Respect for Life: Faith Perspective on the Energy Debate (coming soon)

Cover Texas Now: Health Issues One-Pager

CHIP Coalition Legislative Agenda

Environment Texas Legislative Agenda

Human Trafficking: The New Slavery

Levels of Government: A Quick Refresher

The Next Big Thing is Now--Upcoming Elections and Deadlines

UMW Legislative Priorities 2009

 

 

Cover Texas Now Postcard Action Kit

 

 

Click here to access the contents

 

 

 

 

Legislative Event 2009 Presentation Materials

 

Faith in Texas: An Advocacy Primer (Powerpoint by Bee Moorhead, Texas Impact)new

The Bible and Health Advocacy (Handout by Cynthia Abrams, GBCS)new

Faith & Facts: Health Care (Handout by Cynthia Abrams, GBCS)

Revenue Background (Powerpoint by Dick Lavine, CPPP) Coming Soon!

Energy and Economic Recovery (Powerpoint by John Hill, GBCS) Coming Soon!