Center for Law, Engagement, and Politics

LEAPing at Lions

The LEAP Ambassadors were founded on the same principles that animate many community organizations, so it was a pleasure to be invited to the Lions Club meeting last week.

It was an event we looked forward to, and one made all the more special when we learned that Michelle Spencer of Walker County Boys & Girls Club was the guest speaker!

We had a chance to meet the Lions new President, Julie Hill, who presided over her first meeting.

We also had a chance to see old friends, such as Dottie Fulton, Greg Smith, Casey Spencer, Brian Blalock, Glenn Schumacher, Gaye Clements, and Brenda Poe. In fact, it was Ms. Poe who invited, a thanks for participating in their “Flag Project,” which we are happy to do.

Although we know much about the Walker County Boys & Girls Club, we learned more with the opportunity to hear from Ms. Spencer.

It was gratifying to hear again of the hundreds of children, K-12, who benefit from the non-profit’s organizations; but we also learned more about their adult literacy programs.

Of course, we knew of their ESL classes, because we partner with them on our Citizenship Program; but we also learned about their efforts to help local residents obtain their GED.

In fact, we learned that, with their instruction and classes, students aged 16-67 have obtained that distinction!

We also learned of their upcoming Oktoberfest Bingo, which takes place on Saturday, October 12, 2024 from 6-10pm. Programs such as these are not only great fun, but the money raised supports a great cause, and donations and grants provide the large majority of the Boys & Girls Club annual budget, so participation is much needed.

In fact, we pondered ways we might be able to help, a matter to be addressed at LEAP’s next annual meeting.

We were grateful for the invitation to attend the Lions Club meeting, another golden opportunity for us to see the community in action.

Organizations such as the Lions Club support important causes globally, provide key programming locally, and help connect components of the community that foster collaboration–and these actions, in turn, produce stronger communities. It was a pleasure to be part of it for the day.

Republican Party Precinct and Walker County Conventions

Jessica Cuevas

Some LEAP Ambassadors are Republican; some are Democratic; and some are independent. Whatever their partisan identification, they are encouraged to be involved in democratic processes, and so it was that Ambassadors Morgan Robertson and Jessica Cuevas attended their party’s Precinct Conventions followed by the Walker County Republican Party Convention this spring, which we decided to post just before the two parties’ national conventions this summer.

While this was Morgan’s second time attending this convention…

…it was my first time, and I must say that after interning at the Texas Capitol last spring it was very interesting to see how the convention works and to take part in voting on resolutions.

Upon arriving at the Northside Baptist Church, we were provided breakfast and were asked to find the table where our precinct was so that we could join and partake in our precinct conventions. I had a lovely conversation with the delegates present from Precinct 201, as did Morgan with the delegates present from Precinct 102. One of the main goals for the precinct convention was to see if anyone within your precinct had a resolution that they were interested in passing. These would later be voted on by the 54 delegates present in the County Convention.

Following our Precinct Conventions, Morgan and I were asked by Walker County’s Republican Party Chairwoman, Linda McKenzie to lead the pledges at the start of the County Convention.

Chairwoman McKenzie explained what would occur before we broke off into a small break for committees to start meeting and complete their business.

I was selected to be on the Organization Committee whose sole purpose was to nominate the County Convention Chair, Secretary, and Sergeant of Arms.

Our nomination for County Convention Chair was Judge Tracy Sorensen…

…Mallory Martin for Secretary, and Shane Loosier for Sergeant of Arms.

These nominations would be presented by Committee Chair Thomas Leeper to the delegates present who would approve of our recommendations.

Morgan was selected to be on the Nominations Committee, whose mission is to nominate delegates and alternative delegates to attend and represent the Walker County Republican Party at the State Convention on May 23-25. Having served on this committee in 2022, Morgan had a better understanding of how this process worked but because of redistricting, this year it was slightly different given that Walker County is divided and is represented by two congressmen: Congressman Pete Sessions in District 17 and Congressman Morgan Luttrell in District 8. This committee had to rank the delegates that applied to attend the state convention based on the districts they lived in since only 11 people from District 8 could attend and 14 from District 17.

I was surprised to be nominated as a delegate from District 17 to attend the Republican Party State GOP Convention which will be hosted in San Antonio this year!

After the presentation of the delegates, there was more business conducted before it was time to vote on the 18 resolutions that were worked on by the Resolution Committee which reflected the priorities our delegates had. Before voting, delegates who wished to discuss the resolution could but were limited to six people overall, with three being for and three being against.

When our votes were divided for certain resolutions, we would practice precinct votes by conferring with the delegates in our precinct which our precinct chair would then tell County Chair Judge Sorensen how many Aye’s, No’s, or Abstains we had.

After each precinct voted, Secretary Mallory Martin would record the raw votes and would then tell Chair Judge Sorensen the weighted vote since each precinct has a specific amount of votes which were calculated by how many people voted in the previous primary for Governor Abbott.

Although this was my first time attending this convention it was very educational and interesting. We met new people, saw some candidates for office…

…had a chance to see democracy in action at the grass roots level….

….and saw some familiar and friendly faces…

I would like to thank Precinct Chair Mitchell Ray and County Clerk Leslie Ray Woolley for mentoring me through my first Precinct and County Convention, as well as Republican Chairwoman Linda McKenzie for putting this convention together.

Becoming a US Citizen: A How-To-Guide

Cinthia Villarreal

For the last 17 years, the Huntsville Public Library and the LEAP Center have come together to host a free citizenship preparatory course where Professor Yawn, Yajaira Gutierrez (Intern at the Huntsville Public Library and supervised by Mary Kokot), and LEAP students volunteer their time to help local immigrants prepare for their naturalization process.

For the month of April, we held weekly classes with more than two dozen participants, who immigrated from a variety of countries including places as far flung as Canada, El Salvador, Japan, and Mexico.

In the first class of the course, Professor Yawn offered an overview of the requirements for eligibility and the process of applying for citizenship, such as the oral interview, where applicants are quizzed about their American history knowledge as well as their ability to speak English.

The course is designed to provide an overview of the different components of naturalization, from paperwork, to oral interviews, to English tests for speaking and writing, and, of course, the “Civics” portion of the test. This component consists of 100 questions that the immigrants must know.

Each week, we alternate between short lectures by Professor Yawn to breakout sessions at each table, with the volunteers doing a mix of tutoring, reinforcing, and translating–or, in Chrissy and Olivia’s cases, nodding when others translate.

LEAP also leans heavily on its mission of civic engagement and community collaboration to bring in other groups with similar goals. Thus, we work closely with Michelle Spencer and Salvador Favela from the Boys and Girls Club for recruitment and volunteers; the Daughters of the American Revolution provide “swag bags” with patriotic study materials…

…and Robert Cates, a local immigration attorney, provides his expertise on immigration law.

For the last week of the course, we held our very own Thanksgiving, where the participants were encouraged to bring desserts while Stephanie provided her very famous, and delicious, hot dogs. In many ways, this last meal together captures the essence of the course. One component of the Civics Exam is US Holidays, and the first one we discuss in the course is Thanksgiving and what that represents in the United States. Accordingly, “our” Thanksgiving is our true way of saying thanks to each other while reinforcing some of the class material.

Gregoria McGuire, who works for the Sam Houston Memorial Museum, even brought flowers as an expression of gratitude.

Esperanza, a participant from last year’s course, was also there. She applied for her citizenship shortly after finishing our course and within a few months, her identification card came in the mail. She attended the meeting to encourage other participants and to show them that if they put their mind to it, they can do it too.

Esperanza was accompanied by her son and daughter-in-law, and her granddaughter, Ali.

This course has been a transformative learning experience, not only for the future applicants but for the volunteers as well. Being an immigrant myself, this volunteerism has hit very close to home. Seeing the resilience of the participants that work for a better future has inspired me and reminded me of the hardships that my family had to go through for me to be where I am today.

This course has been a great testament to what a privilege it is to be a United States Citizen. This label, which many take for granted, not only comes with responsibilities and duties, but grants tranquility, confidence, and freedom.

A Trip Down Memory Lane at the Cafe Raven Exhibit

Olivia Discon

Cinthia and I recently had the pleasure of attending the opening reception for the Cafe Raven Exhibit at the Sam Houston Memorial Museum. This special exhibit, titled “The Cafe Raven: Honoring Sam Houston,” celebrates the Cafe Raven and its nearly 40 years in business, its deep-rooted community support, and its unique relationship with the history of Sam Houston.

In the spirit of the occasion, Cinthia and I volunteered as 50’s-era servers. For the evening, we took on the personas of Betty and Erma, adding a touch of nostalgia and fun to the event.

Olivia and Cinthia, as “Betty” and “Erma”

It was wonderful to see so many familiar faces from the community come out to support this exhibit. From the University, General Glaser, Matt Bethea, Dr. McCartney Johnson, Hollie Garza, and Charlie Vienne; and, of course, those from the Museum: Derrick Birdsall, Jude Routh, Megan Buro, and Nancy Gahan; and from the Huntsville Community, Mac and Leanne Woodward, Jeff Murski, and Lee Jamison. Interestingly, Jamison, an accomplished artist, painted a replica of Cafe Raven’s signage for the occasion!

The Cafe Raven, which was located in downtown Huntsville, was named after Sam Houston’s Cherokee name, Colonneh, or The Raven. Opened in 1930, the cafe quickly became a beloved local institution. The current exhibit features rare photos of one of the restaurant’s founders, Abe Dabaghi, who later became its sole owner. His legacy of warm hospitality, civic involvement, and authentic French cuisine lives on through this exhibit. To our great surprise, some of Dabaghi’s family members, including his son Bill, were in attendance!

One of the most fascinating aspects of the Cafe Raven was its role in Huntsville’s history. The restaurant served as the mess hall for Company F, the local army reserve unit, as it was being activated for World War II.

Additionally, the Cafe Raven was the first in Huntsville to offer air conditioning, a grand ballroom, and a neon sign, making it a trailblazer in many ways. It was a favorite among U.S. Senators, Congressmen, judges, civic luminaries, and other leaders.

The exhibit beautifully captures the essence of Cafe Raven’s impact on Huntsville. It’s not just about the delicious food and elegant ambiance; it’s about the stories and memories that were created within its walls. The Sam Houston Memorial Museum’s wonderful staff has done a fantastic job curating this exhibit, and it was an honor to be a part of it for the evening.

If you haven’t had the chance to visit the Cafe Raven Exhibit, I highly recommend it. It’s a journey through time, celebrating a cherished part of Huntsville’s history and honoring the legacy of Sam Houston.

The exhibition runs from May 21 to September 1, 2024, and it’s a must-see for anyone interested in Huntsville’s rich history.

Former French President Francois Hollande Discusses National Security

During his tenure as President of the French Republic from 2012 to 2017, François Hollande confronted a cascade of formidable challenges both within France and on the global stage. These trials ranged from combating extremist groups in Africa to grappling with the escalating threats posed by climate change and the spate of terrorist attacks that shook the nation.

Following an introduction by Professor Escobar-Lemmon…

…President Hollande first discussed his perspectives on the critical global issues confronting Western democracies today. This was followed by a panel discussion moderated by Professor Bearce.

Chief among Hollande’s concerns was the resurgence of authoritarianism, exemplified by the actions of states like China and Russia.

He cautioned against a deepening divide between democracies and authoritarian regimes, drawing parallels to the Cold War era and stressing the need for continued cooperation between the United States, Europe, and outreach to other nations.

Hollande’s discourse encompassed a broad spectrum of challenges, including the evolving face of global terrorism and the urgent implications of climate change. He emphasized the imperative for sustained international collaboration to address these pressing issues, which he described as existential threats to democratic societies.

Moreover, he highlighted emerging challenges such as global pandemics and the disruptive impact of technologies like artificial intelligence, which he argued have profound implications for global stability and democratic governance.

Following President Hollande’s formal presentation, he engaged in a moderated discussion with Dr. David Bearce of the Bush School. While President Hollande had delivered his prepared remarks in English, he engaged in this discussion in French, which we listed to through a translation app provided by the Bush School.

This portion of the discussion was lively, with President Holland interjecting humor and intrigue into the discussion.

The evening concluded with Hollande honoring Dr. Richard Golsan, Director of the French Institute, with France’s prestigious Ordre des Palmes académiques in recognition of his scholarly contributions to French culture and education.

In his remarks, Hollande praised Golsan’s outstanding achievements and expressed his appreciation for the enriching exchange of ideas during his visit to Texas A&M University.

Golsan made gracious and brief remarks, striking just the right tone for the evening.

Overall, Hollande’s visit underscored his commitment to fostering dialogue on pressing global issues and his belief in the power of international cooperation to navigate an increasingly complex and interconnected world. His insights resonated deeply with the audience, leaving a lasting impression on the importance of solidarity and collaboration in safeguarding democratic principles and addressing shared global challenges.

President Hollande Conversing with Students

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki: the Art of Communication

Olivia Discon

Attending a World Affairs Council meeting is always an enriching experience, but the recent event featuring Jen Psaki was particularly enlightening. As a key figure in modern American politics, Psaki’s perspective was a refreshing and exciting one to hear , and her book, Say More: Lessons from Work, the White House, and the World, provides a deeper understanding of the intricate world of political communication.

Jen Psaki’s tenure as the White House Press Secretary under two administrations has cemented her reputation as a master communicator. During her talk–which also featured our favorite moderator, Ronan O’Malley– she delved into the essential skills required for the role.

Psaki discussed the importance of knowing your audience, which she made sure to clarify was not “everyone”, as well as connecting emotionally with the audience.

Whether it’s addressing the nation during a crisis or discussing policy changes, evoking empathy and understanding is crucial. This emotional connection can often be the difference between a message being heard or ignored, exacerbated or undermined. To emphasize her point, she quoted Maya Angelou’s famous line “people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” The ability to convey complex information clearly and succinctly is vital. Psaki shared anecdotes about how meticulous preparation and anticipating questions helped her deliver concise and effective responses.

Jen Psaki’s unique experience of working under both President Obama and President Biden offered intriguing insights into the differences between their administrations. She described President Obama as an introverted yet incredible communicator, whose well-spoken nature and thoughtful deliberation were key assets. In contrast, President Biden is extroverted, bringing a different dynamic to the administration. Psaki emphasized that working with these presidents required recognizing their “superpowers” and leveraging those strengths in various situations. For Obama, this meant utilizing his eloquence and calm demeanor to inspire and reassure. For Biden, it involved harnessing his relational skills and accessibility to connect with the public and foreign leaders.

Psaki also noted that listening skills are often undervalued, but crucial for effective communication and leadership. Another significant difference she highlighted was in handling times of conflict. Obama tended to communicate passively to the public regarding diplomatic matters, whereas Biden has been more proactive in declassifying information, especially to counter misinformation and call out Russian falsehoods.

Psaki’s discussion on the current polarizing political climate was particularly relevant. She reflected on how the rise of misinformation and the fragmentation of media have contributed to increasing division. Within this discussion, she stressed the importance of transparency and consistent reporting in rebuilding public trust. In an era where clear and empathetic communication is more crucial than ever, Psaki’s lessons resonate.

The ability to connect, listen, and convey messages with integrity and clarity remains a cornerstone of effective leadership and public service.

Wrapping Up our first Texas City Management Association Conference

With our competition out of the way, we were determined to make the most of our remaining time at the TCMA conference. To do this, we heard from a rewarding speaker, got an Association update from the new President of TCMA, engaged in a networking lunch, and stole a few moments on the beach.

AI and City Government

Our last true session of the conference featured, Ann Marie Sastry, a distinguished mechanical engineer and entrepreneur known for her groundbreaking work in energy systems engineering and artificial intelligence. She earned her bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Delaware and a PhD from Cornell University.

Following a career in academia, Dr. Sastry co-founded Sakti3, and she currently serves as President and CEO of Amesite, an AI software company. She brought this work home to us by noting that the days of City Managers being able to ignore AI in their communications and analyses are over. She went so far to say that any company who doesn’t begin use of AI in the immediate future won’t be in business in 2030, comparing such a decision to a business in 1995 choosing not to use computers.

Her talk was well received, and for us, two things stood out, both of which are relevant to what we do. One, she mentioned that AI could write a blog in 8 seconds, which is significantly shorter than the time we take! Second, she noted that AI can easily do a PowerPoint for free; but free AI cannot do an excellent PowerPoint. And while this was a suggestion from her that City Managers should look closely at which AI companies they use, it was a reminder to us to put some old-fashioned thought and sweat equity into our blogs and our PowerPoints.

Passing of the Torch: A New President of the TCMA

The last day of the conference, Sunday, June 23, began by foreshadowing the 2025 conference in San Antonio…

…with a nice promotional video that stirred some excitement among the audience.

It also marked the passing of the torch from President Opal Mauldin-Jones to Jay Abercrombie, City Manager of Henderson.

Mr. Abercrombie became emotional as he thanked his family, Association members, and noted the passing of his father.

But he composed himself quickly, making a joke about his inability (the day before) to pronounce the word “academician.” With much fanfare, he demonstrated a successful pronunciation of the term.

In an animated speech, he highlighted some features of the Association…

…ensured everyone was aware of next year’s meeting in San Antonio, and encouraged members not to become cliquish which, he noted, they have a “tendency to do.”

And with that admonishment, the Conference ended…

…with members mingling (uncliquishly), and reflecting on a positive and productive conference.

Among those members were a group of six SHSU students, all newly minted TCMA members!

Savoring The Valley’s Best: Ana Liz Taqueria

Michelle Cardenas

In an effort to expand our educational experiences, we decided to embrace the culture of The Valley by trying one of the things they do best: food. We visited Ana Liz Taqueria, located in Mission, Texas, known for its innovative Mexican cuisine. The taqueria is owned by Ana Liz Pulido, who won the James Beard Award for Best Chef in Texas in 2024, which you can read about here, here, and here. Despite the award-winning status, however, the prices are very reasonable.

One of the standout features of Ana Liz Taqueria is their commitment to making everything from scratch, including their tortillas. All of their tortillas are made by rehydrating and grinding the corn—a traditional practice in Mexico.

The taqueria staff starts their day at 7:00 AM to begin prepping the food, although the restaurant doesn’t open to the public until 4 PM. This dedication to preparation ensures that every dish is fresh and flavorful.

We approach things differently in LEAP and Ana Liz Taqueria is different. For one thing, the wait was about 1.25 hours, with an additional 45 minutes wait for the food. They also only have tables that seat up to four people, and they only have room for about 18 people total in the restaurant (winning the James Beard award has really strained their capacity and resources).

We wanted to turn this into an advantage, so we divided our groups such that two Hispanic students would be with two non-Hispanic individuals at each table. In this manner, those less familiar with Mexican dishes could learn from those who were more familiar with such food.

The menu included many traditional items, but it also featured a good selection of newly interpreted dishes. We were first greeted by an assortment of salsas, including salsa de habanero, salsa verde con tomatillos, sour cream, and chili oil.

Victoria and I were in charge of ordering an assortment of dishes for our table, which consisted of Professor Yawn and Stephanie. We ordered the traditional tacos de fajita, a staple in Mexican cuisine and a must-try item on the menu. For a vegetarian option, we indulged in tacos de nopal topped with a slice of queso Oaxaca. We also had tacos de discada, which contain a mixture of different meats such as fajita, sausage, chorizo, and chicharrón. The name of this dish originates from the large disk-shaped pan in which all the meats are cooked and combined. In order to balance everything out, we ordered one item from the “Botanas” (Snack) section of the menu. One of the most popular Botanas in Mexico is corn, so we ordered a side of corn ribs seasoned with white salt, lime, and chili oil.

Cinthia and Yajaira were in charge of placing the order for their table, which included Chrissy and Olivia. They also had tacos de fajita and discada. Some of the more interesting items they ordered included the “Copy,” which consisted of a tortilla made with both regular and blue corn with fajita. The tacos de chile relleno also proved to be delicious, with fajita, bell peppers, and melted Oaxacan cheese.

We also had Vampiros (Vampires) de fajita, an intricate and delicious dish. The name of this dish is inspired by the fried dark blue corn tortilla, which resembles the night sky—the time when vampires come out to eat. The Vampiro had a smooth layer of avocado on the bottom, followed by fajita, and queso Oaxaca melted to a crisp. This item was by far one of the table’s favorites and it was something I had never tried before.

Our visit to Ana Liz Taqueria was an incredible culinary experience that not only satisfied our taste buds but also gave us a deeper appreciation for the rich culture and traditions of The Valley.

Ana Liz Pulido’s dedication to quality and authenticity shines through in every dish, making her taqueria a must-visit destination for anyone seeking a true taste of Mexican culinary traditions and ongoing innovation.

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