Table of Contents
President's Note
Programs
Campaign Activities
Ways & Means
Caring for America
Americanism
Campaign Hours
Legislative
VRW Directory
Save the Date
Minutes
|
|
Meeting Notice
Wednesday April 22, 2020
PENDING GOVERNMENT GUIDELINES
& ORDERS
Houston Racquet Club, 10709 Memorial Drive 11:00 AM Registration
11:30 AM Program and Lunch
Lunch $30.00
A live link to RSVP or a cancellation notice will be sent in a separate meeting notice in the near future.
Thank you for your patience as these are very fluid days
|
|
|
Village Strong!
Now Is the Time to Prepare for the Most Critical Election of our Lives!
- Deanna Harrington, President
|
|
|
|
The last couple of weeks have stretched the limits of my imagination. Never could I have imagined what has happened before our very eyes. All of this COVID-19 business has unfolded so quickly that I think it’s absolutely appropriate to catch our breath and decide our next steps.
Until the Harris County “Stay-Home Work-Safe” order expires on April 3rd, it is difficult to know at this time if our April 22nd meeting will be cancelled. We are monitoring local, state, and federal mandates to make a final determination. We will let you know one way or another very soon.
Republican women are known to be “do-ers.” It’s not in our DNA to sit on the sidelines. It might not be glamorous, but now is the time to get ready to roll up our sleeves and make a difference—even more than we had already expected prior to the arrival of this novel coronavirus. Never has an election cycle been more important.
As I write this article, the bipartisan emergency relief legislation that was developed as a truly bipartisan rescue plan, has been stalled by Speaker Pelosi and the radical left wing of the Democrat party. When the rubber meets the road as our country battles the spread of COVID-19 and the possible collapse of our economy, we see that the leadership of the Democrat party cares more about their radical agenda than they care about us Americans.
Our situation is evolving, and we should never forget how the Democrats behaved this fourth week of March 2020.
November is right around the corner.
|
|
Professor Addicott:
Trump’s Real Legacy-
and why we MUST re-elect Donald J. Trump
- Theresa Kosmoski, First VP Programs
|
|
|
There are so many reasons to re-elect Trump: the economy, lower regulations, tax reform, and effective foreign policy, but perhaps the most important is his impact on our judicial system. This may be the least understood part of his legacy.
Please join us on for our April meeting as we hear from Professor Jeffrey F. Addicott, Lt. Colonel, U.S. Army (Ret.), Professor of Law, and Founder & Director of the Warrior Defense Project at St. Mary’s University School of Law.
 As an active duty Army officer in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps for twenty years, Professor Addicott spent a quarter of his career as the senior legal advisor to the United States Army’s Special Forces. As an internationally recognized authority on national security and terrorism law Professor Addicott not only lectures and participates in professional and academic organizations both in the United States and abroad (over 900 speeches), but he also testifies before Congress on a variety of legal issues. Dr. Addicott is a regular contributor to national and international news media outlets to include FOX NEWS, MSNBC, OAN, CNN, BBC, New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, (over 5,000 interviews).
Professor Addicott’s latest book, “Trumps Judges – Protecting America’s Establishment Pillars to “Make America Great Again”” is a must-read. Of his book, Sara Carter, Fox News contributor said, “At a time when this country is exposed to endless negativity this book provides a welcomed reminder that America is truly a land of opportunity and tolerance where the rule of law is best protected by originalist judges.”
You won’t want to miss this phenomenal expert and speaker; his book will be available for a discounted price of $20, and Professor Addicott will even autograph your book!
|
|
Village Strike Force 2020
Anne Trousdale, VRW Campaigns Chair
|
|
|
|
We are launching a new VRW ground game initiative to help get Republicans elected in 2020. We hope to have VRW members serve as liaisons to non-federal Republican campaigns. While we are immersed in this COVID-19 crisis, I am recruiting our VRW liaisons so that we will be ready to strike and help win Republican races in November.
You may be asking yourself, “What exactly would I be doing as a VRW liaison to a campaign?” Let me tell you. First of all, each campaign and candidate is unique, but here are some ideas for you and your candidate to consider.
- Communicate campaigns’ needs and news to VRW via our Campaign Activities Chair (moi).
- Keep campaign signs and campaign literature on hand to deliver/distribute upon request.
- If asked by your candidate, attend events on their behalf. Don’t forget to sign-in to be recognized as representing their campaign!
- Introduce your candidate to your friends and acquaintances whenever you have an opportunity.
- Call your friends to tell them about your candidate and why they deserve your friends’ votes.
- Recruit “likes” for your candidate’s social media pages.
Interested in being a VRW liaison to a non-federal campaign?Please shoot me an email before April 18 with the requested information below, and I’ll get you assigned. We’re looking for one liaison per campaign, so please rank at least three campaigns in order of preference so I can make the liaison assignments and cover as many campaigns as possible. VRW liaison volunteers will be notified by me to confirm their liaison assignment.
May the force be with you!
Anne Trousdale
(713) 492-4334
annet9119@gmail.com
subject: liaison
Application information:
- Village RW is my primary club? y/n
- Name
- Best phone number
- Email
- Candidate preference (give at least 3 choices)
VRW 2020 Ballot (The non-federal races listed below will be on most of our VRW members’ ballots.)
- Railroad Commissioner Jim Wright
- Supreme Court Chief Justice Nathan L. Hecht
- Supreme Court Place 6 Jane Bland
- Supreme Court Place 7 Jeffrey S. Boyd
- Supreme Court Place 8 Brett Busby
- Court of Criminal Appeals Place 3 Bert Richardson
- Court of Criminal Appeals Place 4 Kevin Yeary
- Court of Criminal Appeals Place 9 David Newell
- State Board of Education, Place 6 Will Hickman
- TX HD-133 Jim Murphy
- TX HD-134 Sarah Davis
- TX HD-138 Lacey Hull
- Chief Justice, 14th Court of Appeals Tracy Elizabeth Christopher
- Justice, 1st Court of Appeals District, Place 3 Russel Lloyd
- Justice, 1st Court of Appeals District, Place 5 Run-Off on July 14 between Terry Adams and James Lomardino
- Justice, 1st Court of Appeals District, Place 7 Ken Wise
- District Judge 61st Erin Elizabeth Lunceford
- District Judge 80th Sharon Hemphill
- District Judge 127th Nile Copeland
- District Judge 129th Will Archer
- District Judge 133rd Sheri Y. Dean
- District Judge 164th Michael Landrum
- District Judge 165th Bruce Bain
- District Judge 215th Fred Shuchart
- District Judge 334th Dan Lemkuil
- District Judge 339th Jesse McClure
- District Judge 351st Arlene Hecht
- District Judge 507th Alyssa Lemkuil
- Civil Court at Law No. 4 Clyde Leuchtag
- Criminal Court No. 12 Linda Garcia
- Criminal Court No. 16 Bill Harmon
- District Attorney Mary Nan Huffman
- County Attorney John Hunter Nation
- Sheriff Run-Off on May 26 between Joe Danna and Paul Day
- Tax Assessor-Collector Chris Daniel
- Harris County School Trustee At-Large Position 5 Run-Off on July 14 between Fred Flickinger and Bob Wolfe
- Harris County School Trustee At-Large Position 5 Don Sumners
- County Commissioner Precinct 3 Tom Ramsey
- Justice of the Peace Precinct 1, Place 1 Jerry Wayne Dugat
- Justice of the Peace Precinct 4, Place 1 Lincoln Goodwin
- Justice of the Peace Precinct 5, Place 1 Run-Off on July 14 between Russ Ridgway and Mike Wolfe
- Constable 5 Ted Heap
|
|
Our Centennial Celebration for Women's Right to Vote has been rescheduled and it is going to be a fun and joyous event!
- Julie Jaehne, 3rd VP, Ways & Means
|
|
|
|
Despite these uncertain times, our committee continues to plan. If VRW members are interested in being a vendor at The Village Market held during the Centennial Celebration, please contact Kathy Taylor at kvt516@comcast.net
Normal life has stopped in its tracks but through the power of prayer, we can get through this pandemic together.
|
|
COVID-19 Community Support
- Lucretia Shaver, Caring for America Chair
|
|
|
|
Our hearts break for those affected either physically or economically by COVID-19. In these confusing and anxious times, take a moment to call family, friends, and neighbors to check on their well-being and to provide mutual support. As we respond as a community, here are a few ways you can make a difference and support our community.
- Donate to nonprofits. WHAM (West Houston Assistance Ministries) is very well respected, is mobilized, and highly operational. Check out their website.
- Search for volunteer opportunities.
- Deliver meals.
- Donate supplies to local healthcare providers. Check out the Facebook group, Help Make cover Face Masks - Covid 19 - Greater Houston for possible outlets.
- Donate blood.
- Support our local restaurants.
- Support our local businesses.
- Donate to neighborhood local food pantries. As of this writing, these organizations are accepting canned and packaged food, specific requests include cereal, cookies, pasta, crackers, and toilet paper.:
- Don't forget the animal shelters. Due to increase in intakes and fewer adoptions and fosters, the shelters are in need of additional supplies. Consider fostering an animal yourself.
Don't get “corona scammed,” and stay safe!
|
|
Need a work-from-home break?
Enroll in this free online American History course today!
—Mary Grace Landrum, VRW Americanism Chair
|
|
|
|
In these unusual times, you may find more time for some online learning. Check out this free course on American history from Hillsdale College. While it started on Monday, March 23, all sessions are recorded and can be played at your convenience.
Because one of the best things to know is the story of our nation, Hillsdale has organized a special three-week study session featuring their newest online course, “The Great American Story: A Land of Hope.” Taught by historian Wilfred M. McClay, this course examines the story of America as a land of hope, founded on high principles. Like all of Hillsdale’s online courses, it is offered free of charge.
“Those who enroll in this special study session will receive a syllabus that organizes the course into twelve lessons over three weeks, as well as regular communications to foster discussion on the key themes of the course.”
To enroll, CLICK HERE
|
|
|
Campaign Activities - Report Your Hours!
|
|
|
Please send your first quarter hours (Jan, Feb, and March) to annet9119@gmail.com no later than April 10
Your hours do not need to be itemized by each month, I only need a total number of hours. Below is a list of what you can count as hours. Thank you for your time and your efforts.
- Work at home, mailings, phoning, posters, clerical, cooking etc.
- Work at or for a special event (but not as a guest)
- Attendance at (travel to) Federation Board Mtg/Conventions as well as committee work in preparation
- Political work while at Federation meetings
- Travel time between events, except shopping
- Volunteering for a Republican candidate for a non-partisan office such as school board
- Presenting political programs or speeches at local civic clubs
- Running for office – all time spent campaigning
- Campaign sign preparation, distribution and removal
- Volunteering for a Republican candidate in any capacity
- Voter Registrar
- GOTV (Get Out the Vote) participant
- Anne Trousdale. Campaign Activity Chair
|
|
The Government's Source of Power in a Pandemic
- Joanie Bain, Legislative Chair
|
|
|
All of the uncertainties surrounding COVID-19 and the “mandates” coming from our government officials have left many of us wondering what directives are legal and who has authority to do what. First and foremost, we are American citizens and our rights are protected by the Constitution. In times of national disasters our officials have the power to enact temporary rules to keep order and keep us safe. Did you wonder why both the state and federal governments declared a national disaster? Its because that is the source of their power.
Federal Government
Once Trump declared a national emergency, what powers does he have to respond to the coronavirus pandemic? There has been a lot on the Internet, some of it is misleading.
The Stafford Act can be invoked by the President when there is a major disaster or national emergency. Trump has specifically invoked the emergency provisions of the Stafford Act. The Stafford Act is mostly administered by FEMA. The Congressional Research Service (CRS) has opined that declaring a major disaster unlocks greater powers than declaring a national emergency under this Act.
A major disaster authorizes the government to distribute supplies and emergency assistance, unemployment assistance, emergency grants to assist low-income migrant and seasonal farm-workers, food coupons and distribution, relocation assistance, community disaster loans, and emergency public transportation.
In contrast, according to CRS, a national emergency “would not authorize grants, unemployment assistance, food coupons, crisis counseling assistance and training, or community disaster loans as would be available through a major disaster declaration.” However, it would authorize “technical and advisory assistance to affected state and local governments for certain needs…and assistance in the distribution of medicine, food, and other consumable supplies.” There is no conclusive Supreme Court authority adopting this distinction.
It’s not clear whether a pandemic would qualify as a major disaster. The statutory definition of disaster speaks of any natural catastrophe “including” a long list of things like earthquakes, tornadoes, droughts, and explosions, all of which seem very different than a disease. So the question would be whether “natural catastrophe” is by implication limited to these kinds of physical threats. There’s some ambiguity here. It seems unlikely however that the courts would be willing to halt the President’s use of disaster authority to respond to the pandemic.
National Emergencies Act
There’s no question that a pandemic qualifies as a national emergency, and Trump has already made use of this authority. Making such a declaration triggers scores of statutory provisions authorizing emergency action by the President.
The Brennan Center has a list of 136 federal statutes that can be used once a national emergency is declared. You can access it HERE. These include prioritizing production of medical supplies, allowing the use of drugs that haven’t been approved by the FDA.
Disease-related laws
The CDC website has a list of powers to deal with contagious diseases. You can access it HERE. Beyond the ones listed here, the main one seems to be the power to issue regulations to prevent disease transmission from foreign countries or between states. It provides: The Surgeon General, with the approval of the Secretary, is authorized to make and enforce such regulations as in his judgment are necessary to prevent the introduction, transmission, or spread of communicable diseases from foreign countries into the States or possessions, or from one State or possession into any other State or possession. Another subsection concerns the powers to block travel between states. This power is more limited. Persons traveling between states can be required to submit to an examination if they are reasonably believed to be infected and can be detained and quarantined if they are actually found to be infected and potentially contagious. So unlike international travel, the President can’t impose blanket travel bans between states.
Inherent Constitutional Powers
The courts have sometimes allowed the President to take emergency actions without any direct authority from Congress. The law in this area is very ambiguous. Emergency action without Congressional authorization is risky but may be upheld if it is clear the President is acting to protect the federal government itself from threats or when there’s a history of Congress approving similar previous actions. For a President to take action on this basis would be a last resort.
State Government
In some respects, Governor Abbott’s authority to act, or to compel certain actions, is superior to that of the federal government when it comes to our day to day lives. For example, the US Supreme Court held in 1905, in response to the smallpox pandemic, that the state could compel its citizens to get vaccinated and impose a criminal penalty for failure to do so. The Court specifically held that our liberties protected by the US Constitution did not prohibit the law.
In Jacobson v. Massachusetts, 197 U.S. 11, 25 S.Ct. 358, 49 L.Ed. 643 (1905), the United States Supreme Court considered a challenge to a state law requiring everyone to be vaccinated against smallpox. Henning Jacobson refused vaccination and was convicted. The court upheld the law and Jacobson’s conviction.
Mr. Justice Harlan wrote for a 7-2 majority:
“The Constitution does not import an absolute right in each person to be, at all times and in all circumstances, wholly freed from restraint.” Instead, “a community has the right to protect itself against an epidemic.” Its members “may at times, under the pressure of great dangers, be subjected to such restraint, to be enforced by reasonable regulations, as the safety of the general public may demand.”
“The authority of the state to enact this statute is to be referred to what is commonly called the police power, —a power which the state did not surrender when becoming a member of the Union under the Constitution.”
“According to settled principles, the police power of a state must be held to embrace, at least, such reasonable regulations established directly by legislative enactment as will protect the public health and the public safety.”
“Even liberty itself, the greatest of all rights, is not unrestricted license to act according to one’s own will. It is only freedom from restraint under conditions essential to the equal enjoyment of the same right by others. It is, then, liberty regulated by law.”
“In every well-ordered society charged with the duty of conserving the safety of its members the rights of the individual in respect of his liberty may at times, under the pressure of great dangers, be subjected to such restraint, to be enforced by reasonable regulations, as the safety of the general public may demand.”
“We hold that the statute in question is a health law, enacted in a reasonable and proper exercise of the police power.”
“We do not perceive that this legislation has invaded any right secured by the Federal Constitution.”
“Nothing clearly appears that would justify this court in holding the statute to be unconstitutional.”
Sources of Governor Abbott’s Authority
Like President Trump, Governor Abbott had to declare a disaster (statewide) to invoke his emergency powers. Governor Abbott declared Friday that COVID-19 is a statewide public health disaster. The governor’s disaster proclamation represents a turning point in the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and invokes emergency powers for his administration.
State law gives broad authority to the Texas governor and health commissioner in times of crisis, including the ability to waive “laws that hinder state agencies’ ability to respond to COVID-19. For example, State law allows the Texas health commissioner to impose restrictions, enforceable by a court, on any “individual, animal, place, or object, as appropriate.” Those orders may include quarantine, isolation, detention or vaccination. Governor Abbott also has the authority to “control ingress and egress to and from a disaster area” — effectively giving him the power to order lock-downs. But the governor said such drastic measures were not yet necessary.
Texas law governing emergency situations is in the government code. You can see the list of powers HERE. Texas Health and Human Services Commission is charged with keeping the public informed of actions being taken by the Governor’s office.
|
|
|
Want to be in The 2020 VRW Directory???
|
|
|
Join VRW by April 22
-Beverly Uhlmer Roberts, Directory Chair
|
|
|
Staying connected is an important part of being a Republican. Lone rangers cannot have the impact that is necessary to keep Texas firmly in the hands of elected officials who will follow the Constitution, protect our borders, and work to limit unnecessary taxes. Join Village Republican Women by April 22 to continue to be informed and empowered and to be listed in the upcoming Directory! If you have friends who are thinking about joining, let them know to join ASAP!
It is easy to join online: CLICK HERE
|
|
- April 22 - VRW General Meeting ***pending government guidelines and orders***
- May 27 - VRW General Meeting
- July 13-18 - RPT Convention (tentative)
- July 17 - TFRW Tribute to Women Luncheon (tentative)
- September 12 - VRW's Centennial celebration of the Women's Right to Vote
|
|
|
Due to the COVID-19 virus outbreak, the March General Meeting was cancelled.
- Nolia Rohde, Recording Secretary
|
|
|
|
|
