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Very upsetting.Disagreeing is one thing,but to manipulate the political process in this way was inhumane.Such actions should not be allowed.Hopefully, there is awareness.of such behavior. Lorraine Jeffe rayilynlee <[log in to unmask]> wrote: CONSIDER WHAT HAPPENED TO NINA BROWN WHEN SHE WENT TO AUSTIN TO TESTIFY FOR ESCR BEFORE STATE AFFAIRS COMMITTEE: She was made to wait until 2AM in the morning to testify. Ray April 13, 2007 Honorable Speaker Tom Craddick Texas House of Representatives P O Box 2910 Austin, Texas 78768-2910 Dear Speaker Craddick, I write on behalf of myself, a pro stem cell advocate, and several Texas constituents who attended the State of Affairs committee meeting on April 12, 2007. I believe you and all house members would want to know how the spirit of decency and democracy were violated, in particular, by committee chairman, Representative David Swinford. On the morning of April 12, expert witnesses and advocates from all over the state arrived at the Capitol to give testimony before the State Affairs committee. The committee's only agenda was to discuss bills regarding stem cell research. It was, in fact, Representative Swinford who requested expert witnesses, because the hearing was to be educational in its tenor. When the committee re-convened at 10:30 p.m. HB 3678, a bill pending in committee was introduced. By this time all the expert witnesses, most of whom had traveled from other cities to present testimony and who had waited all day and into the night to testify, and many advocates who were there to support bills that were pro stem cell research were forced to wait another 3 hours. Many of them were gone when the stem cell bills were finally heard beginning around 1:30 AM. People at the hearing were told that HB 3678 (a right to religious expression in school bill) would take precedence and would be the first order of discussion. Witnesses who gave testimony on this bill were told to take as much time as they needed. Children ten years of age and younger gave testimony and recanted stories of their kindergarten experiences. The atmosphere in the hearing room took on a circus-like tone. One witness was allowed to testify for 45 minutes. The committee did not discuss the stem cell research bills until 1:30 a.m. Friday morning. Representative Swinford was told by Representative Byron Cook that advocates in the audience had health conditions and should be given consideration to speak first. Representative Swinford ignored Representative's Cook plea. A woman who drove from Houston and who is afflicted with Parkinson's was kept waiting in her seat until 2:00 am. Friday morning. When she rose to testify her trek to the podium was a difficult maneuver, and she could not have made it without the assistance of her husband. I consider Representative Swinford's decision to delay her testimony an act of human cruelty and not worthy of an elected official's conduct. Because of his handling of the schedule and his refusal to create a fair process by limiting all testimony to a standard length of time, there were not expert witnesses available when committee members began asking scientific questions. This was in spite of the fact that the clerk of the committee had been informed of all the expert witnesses' time constraints. His disingenuous and transparent attempt to discourage and silence pro stem cell supporters was shameful. The hearing adjourned at 5:30 a.m. I am new to the political advocacy process and will not be deterred from speaking and making my voice heard. However, after the State Affairs hearing, I truly believe a marginally committed person might have been easily manipulated into thinking that our government process is a vehicle for those in power to do as they please, without any ramifications or accountability for their actions. I believe in our system and in our elected officials to do what is just and in the best interest of the state of Texas. My 17 year old son testified Friday morning at 1:30 a.m. It was his first "hands on" introduction to the political process, and even he could see the blatant abuse that occurred. The hearing was not an example of democracy at its finest. In your position as elected Speaker of the Texas House your influence on process as well as policy is wide ranging. I hope that you will take this information and use it to remind those holding chairmanships in the Texas House that this is America where all citizens have the right and the duty to participate in the political process. Thank you for your consideration of this matter. Sincerely, Laura Templeton 5802 Lookout Mountain Dr Austin, TX 78731-2618 Judith Haley President, Texans for Advancement of Medical Research P O Box 19543 Bellaire, Texas 77401 Nina Brown Vice-President, Texas Parkinson's Action Network 4534 Evergreen Houstin, Texas 77223-9543 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn