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By: Cheryl Smith
November 16, 2006
Saturday, November 18, 2006 marks an
historical milestone in the life of Dallas’ own, Royce West,
D-Dallas.
Serving his 13th year as a Texas State Senator—one of only
two African Americans—in the Senate, on that day Mr. West
will be sworn in as Governor of the State of Texas.
This strictly ceremonial tradition, says Mr. West, is bestowed
upon each President Pro Tem-pore and affords that person
the opportunity to “say thanks to family and to your constituents.”
Over the past year, Sen. West has served as governor at
least five times, he said, when both Governor Rick Perry,
and Lt. Governor, David Dewhurst have been out of the state.
Sworn in as President Pro Tempore of the Texas Senate on
April 17, 2006, the former Wilmer Hutch-ins High School
student leader is second in the line of succession to be
Governor of the State.
Sen. West expressed excitement as he talked about the festivities
surrounding this upcoming weekend.
“We have been so overwhelmed with support that it’s just
really gratifying,” said Sen. West. “We expect two to three
thousand people and it’s satisfying and gratifying that
we are getting this type of support.”
As he talked about various groups and community organizations,
as well as high school and college students who are making
the trip to the State’s capital, he said, “For the gala
that Saturday night, we started off with about 1,000 people,
but last count we were at 1,600 and we’re sold out!”
And while the week-end’s activities are definitely a priority
in his life—for the moment-- this husband, father, attorney
and community servant also has other issues on his mind.
“Politics is business and business is politics,” he explained,
adding that as a Democrat he is pleased that many Democrats
were victorious in the Nov. 7 election, how-ever knowing
that three out of 10 voters going to the polls is not really
a cause for celebration. “I’m a Democrat. I try to instill
in young people that if we in the 23rd Senatorial District
would vote five out of 10, six out of 10, and that’s still
flunking as far as I’m concerned, then we would control
politics.
“I mean, without question in the city, county and various
cities surrounding, if you control the politics, you can
effectively control the direction that you are taking society
or your particular geographic area and we can get programs
we’ve always talked about.”
Regarding the number of Democrats elected –not just in Dallas
but around the country, giving the Democratic Party control
of the U.S. House and Senate—Sen. West said the numbers
don’t mean a thing if those elected do nothing while in
office.
“If you have power and you are afraid to use it,” he said,
“then you might as well not have any power at all.”
Recently named one of the 25 most powerful people in Texas
politics, by Texas Monthly Magazine, Sen. West says he takes
seriously his work and the trust that people have in him.
“I don’t just want to go down to Austin to look good and
just sit there,” he said. “It has to be substantive participation
and that is what we try to do.”
There are some very critical issues that law-makers will
be addressing in the near future, including financial aid
for scholarship students and health insurance for children
and seniors, he admits.
An avid supporter of Paul Quinn College—where he was also
awarded an honorary doctorate, Sen. West has received praise
for initiating efforts to bring a UNT campus to Dallas.
That move, he says, contrary to some assertions and fears
will not hurt America’s “oldest HBCU west of the Mississippi
River.”
“A lot of people ask me what will happen to Paul Quinn once
the UNT- Dallas campus is completed,” he said. “I tell them
‘nothing,’ because we are still going to support Paul Quinn.
They have a great president (Dr. John Waddell) out there,
who is very enthusiastic and I am going to be very supportive
of everything he does.
“If you look at whether the State is supporting Paul Quinn,
we are supporting Paul Quinn and other HBCUs in the State.”
Mentioning various programs, including one centered around
education, Sen. West continued, “There is a commitment to
make certain that Paul Quinn remains a viable choice of
higher education in this community. “I am going to be insistent
upon North Texas (UNT) working with Paul Quinn on different
educational initiatives that are mutually beneficial.” And
there are so many other issues on the horizon and Sen. West
says he is committed to staying on top of them, but constituents
have a responsibility, as well.
“There are a lot of issues that we have to tackle next session
and even though we’re having this ‘governor for a day,’
and that’s ceremonial—we must make certain that we return
to Austin during the legislative session and participate
in that particular process because that’s where the rubber
meets the road.”
Meet Governor Royce West
Married: Carol R. West CPA
Occupation: Partner, West & Associates, L.L.P.
Education: University of Texas at Arlington B.A., M.A.,
University of Houston, J.D.
Honorary Degrees: Paul Quinn 1997, Huston-Tillotson College
2000 Legislative Experience: Texas Senate 1993-present
Hometown: Dallas
Party Affiliation: Democrat
Denomination: Baptist (Deacon – Good Street Baptist Church)
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