When reading the journals of the Texas House and Senate for the Prayers of the State segment for January 24th, I realized that they did nothing today.
When I say nothing, let me expand a bit. In both the House and the Senate, they took note of two proclamations by the Governor as well as what the respective other body had recently done. Both bodies recognized the Capitol “Doctor of the Day”.
The House passed three resolutions. The first accepted a date for the Chief Justice to speak to the House and the Senate. The second honoring “Dionne Phillips Bagsby of Fort Worth on the occasion of her retirement from the Tarrant County Commissioners Court.” The third honoring “Texas bikers on the occasion of their legislative day at the State Capitol.” A total of 39 minutes after coming back after a nine-day break, they decide to take 23 hours and 21 minutes off until tomorrow.
The Senate was not much better. After taking care of the House report, Governor’s proclamations and the doctor of the day, the Senate passed the House Concurrent Resolution that called for the Chief Justice to speak in March. Then Senate Resolutions 12-15, 18, 20, and 23-31 were passed. Of those, all but SR 15 and 28 were “Congratulatory Resolutions”. Two Eagle Scouts, three retirements, three birthdays and a handful of random resolutions. SR 28 was a memorial resolution and SR 14 resolved that March 15, 2005 is “Brazoria County Day”.
That took an entire 29 minutes before they adjorned for afternoon tea.
My problem is not that they only spent about an hour total in session to take care of ceremonial issues. My problem is that they spent a “legislative day” doing nothing but that. Our state’s constitution allows the House and Senate to be in session for only 140 days. My new goal: figure out a way to make my classes more realistic by using the example of the Texas Senate. What do you think? Will my professors let me slip out of class after the sign-in sheet is passed around? Maybe I can turn in a paper, complete with proper fanfare, and then grab a late lunch?

After a little break, everyone is back in Austin to play a little government some more. The 4th day of the 140-day session started in the House with Rev. Richard A. Young, pastor of the First United Methodist Church in Uvalde:

Gracious and loving Lord, we come to you today as servants of you and the people of the great State of Texas. As representatives of the young and old, rich and poor we ask for your guidance and direction in the business of governing with justice and mercy.
We recognize that this body of leaders comes with many different concerns and ideas; we ask that your Holy Spirit bring a spirit of unity and purpose to this legislative session. May persons see the actions of this body and be able to say with the Psalmist, “How good and pleasant it is to see brothers and sisters dwell together in unity!” O loving savior, pour out your wisdom to all these legislators so that they may make decisions that lift up the fallen and give hope to the hopeless. Thank you, O God for your grace that guides us and fills us all with your love. In Christ’s name we pray and make our prayer. Amen.

165 words versus the 235-word prayer of Rev. Dr. Raymond Bryant of the African Methodist Espicopal Worship Center of Austin:

Almighty God, creator and sustainer of the universe, we come to You on this day with thanksgiving and praise for all the great things You have done. We thank You for a new year and for new opportunities. We thank You for new mercies and for Your continued grace. We thank You for those who serve the great State of Texas in this Legislature. God, we pray that in this session we are able to do the necessary things to ensure the best possible education for all the children of Texas. We pray that the ways and means for financing education are agreed upon and that we go forward together in advancing educational opportunities for all children. We pray for the President of the United States of America and his family. We pray for the troops at home and abroad and their families. We pray for the Governor and his family. God, we pray Your presence, power, and protection over each of them. We pray especially today for Lieutenant Governor Dewhurst. Be with him and guide him as he leads the Senate through this session. Bless him and his family in this season. And, finally, God, we pray that You bless the Senators and their respective families and allow this session to be productive and demonstrate the ability of all Texans to get along and do what is right and necessary for our state. Amen.

Today is the first day of instruction at The University of Texas at Austin, as well as many other schools. As for my part, I have attended two of my four classes for the day- management information systems and sociology of criminal justice.
My MIS professor, Dr. Lynda Cleveland, has been featured on The University’s homepage for her Cleveland AT Texas concept.
The concept seems interesting enough and I will post anything in particular that flights my fancy concerning that.
Sociology of Criminal Justice turned out to be a meet-and-greet day. Fifteen minutes in and out.

Tom Goodman of the Hillcrest Baptist Church in Austin uses the traditional 70-word Protestant Our Father:

Our Father, which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who have trespassed against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

The Senate brought Rev. Ricky Poe of The PromiseLand of Austin brought a 141-word prayer to the batter’s box:

Our eternal Father, we praise You and worship You this day. In advance of us, You have arrived and we feel Your powerful presence. Bless this assembly today. The people have chosen these men and women through the democratic process. Now, You guide them as Your servants through the theocratic process. Empower them with wisdom and a sixth sense of understanding. Bless their families with special protection and provisions of your extravagance. Heavenly Father, bring ironclad unity among those who are chosen to work in this Legislature. Where there is unity, there is strength. May there never be division and petty aggrandizement during this session. Together we shall conquer. When a righteous man rules the people, rejoice. So may Your soft winds of favor continue to blow in the State of Texas. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Both the House and the Senate are taking a break until January 24.