Civil Rights Discusion: From Austin, to Brownwood, To Eastland
Bringing it home
09:24 PM CDT on Wednesday, April 6, 2005
By KAREN BROOKS / The Dallas Morning News
THE MIX
Bringing it home
Eight hours into committee testimony on a proposed ban on gay marriage, a young gay man with a blonde mohawk stepped up to the podium and topped everyone else who spoke passionately about the bill. Speaking against the bill, Rob Keffer said: "It hits home really, really hard, to know that someone in your family has the power to do something [to stop the ban], and they might not because it's something personal that they don't necessarily agree with you on." Who's that family member? His dad is Rep. Jim Keffer, an Eastland Republican, powerful committee chairman, and a bill co-sponsor. Another co-sponsor? His uncle, Rep. Bill Keffer, a Dallas Republican. After his son's testimony, the usually gruff Jim Keffer leaned over to his microphone on the dais and addressed his son. "I want you to know, and this committee and the people, that I do love you very much. I'm very proud of you for your stance, for having the courage to come up here and talk." His son replied: "I love you, too."
Finding religion
It's no secret that the Democrats are trying to reclaim God from the Republicans. Still, it was a surprise to see the House's on-the-ball Democratic caucus chairman, Rep. Jim Dunnam of Waco, beat the GOP to the punch and file a resolution honoring Pope John Paul II. Who was asleep at the altar for the GOP on that one? Also, the only other rep to speak on the floor about the resolution was a Catholic Democrat. Nary a Republican stepped up to the mike. As it happens, more than half of Mr. Dunnam's staff, including his last four staff chiefs, are Catholic.
High Fidelity
"I failed somewhere."
–Rep. Jim Keffer, R-Eastland, a sponsor of a ban on gay marriage, joking after his gay son told his dad's committee that he and his siblings are Democrats
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Note: Jim Keffer is a Republican and is Brownwood's State Representative who we supported. We have found him to be a true "compassionate conservative" on many issues. This must be a very difficult vote to cast. If this legislation is approved and goes to the voters, the majority of Texans will vote to deny equal treatment under Texas Law ( it's steeped deeply in our culture/religion folks ! ). What is Jim's position on the issue of Civil Unions for relationships being granted rights and responsibilities by Texas Law. Does he agree with Vice President Dick Cheney and George W Bush on the subject of Civil Unions ? We do.
Listen to State Affairs Testimony 04/04/05 2:04pm-2:30AM
it's being discussed
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