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Tag: Ernest Bailes

2019 Reagan Dinner: Honoring a Legacy of Service

This year’s Reagan Dinner featured Jim McIngvale (aka Mattress Mack), honored Ronald Reagan, and celebrated the lives of Andrew and Ila Martinez, two members of the Huntsville who community who exemplified the concept of public service.

The event began at 6pm, with guests enjoying refreshments and conversations. At seven, Linda McKenzie, the chair of the Walker County Republican Party, began the remarks, with welcomes and introductions.

SHSU, LEAP Center, LEAP Ambassadors, Walker County Republican Party, Reagan Dinner, Mattress Mack, Russell Martinez, Kevin Brady, Ernest Bailes, Charles Schwertner

Our primary role during these initial periods was to greet and seat, which we were happy to do.  Indeed, this is the 12th “Reagan Dinner” at which we have assisted.

Following brief introductions, guests enjoyed their meals and light table conversation.  That was easy for us, because we were seated at a table with fun guests.  Representative Ernest Bailes and his wife, Courtney, sponsored and were seated at the table; as were Councilmember Tish Humphrey and her husband, Russell; and Ed and Rissie Owens.  Another of the LEAP students was at Senator Charles Schwertner’s table, where he sat with Schwertner’s District Representative, Annel Guadalupe and her husband, Dylan.

After dinner, Congressman Kevin Brady, the Republican Party of Walker County…

SHSU, LEAP Center, LEAP Ambassadors, Walker County Republican Party, Reagan Dinner, Mattress Mack, Russell Martinez, Kevin Brady, Ernest Bailes, Charles Schwertner

…and the Walker County Republican Women honored Andrew and Ila Martinez.  In their memory, the Party, the Women, the Martinez family (led by Andrea and Russell Martinez), and private donors contributed to a scholarship fund directed toward students who provide public service.

SHSU, LEAP Center, LEAP Ambassadors, Walker County Republican Party, Reagan Dinner, Mattress Mack, Russell Martinez, Kevin Brady, Ernest Bailes, Charles Schwertner

Speaking in front of a large, projected photo of Andrew and Ila Martinez, Russell Martinez announced that the scholarship will go to a LEAP Student, which was an immense honor for us.

SHSU, LEAP Center, LEAP Ambassadors, Walker County Republican Party, Reagan Dinner, Mattress Mack, Russell Martinez, Kevin Brady, Ernest Bailes, Charles Schwertner

But the real honor is to the entire Huntsville community, who benefited from the spirit of service that has animated the Martinez family during their nine decades in Huntsville.

Andy Martinez lived a long life, and he lived it well.  He worked for TDCJ; owned his own business; was a founding member of LULAC; served as a pastor; was elected to both the Huntsville City Council and the Huntsville School Board; and served on numerous boards in the community.

Andrew Martinez

His partner in this service–for 63 years–was Ila Martinez, who raised a large family while putting many hours of volunteer service, most commonly with the Walker County Republican Party and the Walker County Republican Women.

Ila Martinez

Perhaps with that example of public service in mind, Representative Bailes spoke next, offering a non-partisan and informative overview of issues likely to be addressed during the 86th Legislative Session.

SHSU, LEAP Center, LEAP Ambassadors, Walker County Republican Party, Reagan Dinner, Mattress Mack, Russell Martinez, Kevin Brady, Ernest Bailes, Charles Schwertner

He noted that school finance was likely to be one of the most important of these issues and, with his wife Courtney being a third-grade teacher, that issue has special importance to him.

Congressman Brady again took  the stage to give an overview of national politics, and he offered some red meat to the Republican crowd.

SHSU, LEAP Center, LEAP Ambassadors, Walker County Republican Party, Reagan Dinner, Mattress Mack, Russell Martinez, Kevin Brady, Ernest Bailes, Charles Schwertner

The guest of honor for the evening was Jim McIngvale, better known around the greater Houston area as “Mattress Mack.”

SHSU, LEAP Center, LEAP Ambassadors, Walker County Republican Party, Reagan Dinner, Mattress Mack, Russell Martinez, Kevin Brady, Ernest Bailes, Charles Schwertner

He spoke about the importance of a positive attitude during life’s trials and tribulations. He told different stories about people with positive attitudes living their lives in ways that helped others, and used the late George H. W. Bush as one example.

When the event was over, we assisted with the event, but we also had a chance to meet with Congressman Brady and Mattress Mack.

SHSU, LEAP Center, LEAP Ambassadors, Walker County Republican Party, Reagan Dinner, Mattress Mack, Russell Martinez, Kevin Brady, Ernest Bailes, Charles Schwertner

It was a wonderful event, and our take-away from the night was the value of life-long public service, reflected in an entrepreneurial spirit and philanthropy (Mattress Mack), holding elective office (Brady, Bailes, Martinez), and volunteering countless hours to improve your community (the Martinez family, Linda McKenzie, many others at the event).

We would like to thank Representative Bailes and Senator Schwertner for sponsoring tickets to make our attendance possible; Linda McKenzie for thinking of us when filling seats; and to Andrea and Russell Martinez for thinking of us when creating this scholarship.

 

 

 

Author mikeyawnPosted on February 23, 2019February 23, 2019Format AsideCategories Civic Engagement, PoliticsTags Andrea Martinez, Andrew Martinez, Charles, Ernest Bailes, Ila Martinez, Kevin Brady, LEAP Ambassadors, LEAP Center, Mattress Mack, Reagan Dinner, Russell Martinez, Schwertner, SHSU, Walker County Republican PartyLeave a comment on 2019 Reagan Dinner: Honoring a Legacy of Service

High Hopes for a Bright Future in Austin, TX

After a day of getting our feet wet in the Capitol and of renewing acquaintances with LEAP Alumni, we were ready bright and early for Day Two in the Texas Legislature.

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Megan Chapa Heads to Work

Like yesterday, it was a day of learning.  I am doing my learning, at least for the first half of the week, in Representative John Zerwas’s office.

Zerwas represents District 28–an area with which I am familiar because I was actually raised in the district.  A graduate of Baylor College of Medicine, Rep. Zerwas is an Anesthesiologist who has served in the House of Representatives since 2006.  He currently serves as the Chair of the Higher Education Committee, and he is a member of the Public Health Committee.

Dr. Zerwas’s chief of staff, Nelda Hunter, welcomed me and quickly assigned my duties. My project was to do research on Texas higher education admission policy and compare it to other states who have similar demographics or size. I had the unique opportunity to attend a briefing hosted by Representative Zerwas’s office. The briefing was a presentation done by a representative from Educate Texas, an advocacy council that specializes in post-secondary education in Texas. Its mission is to offer policy recommendations that improves the overall quality of higher education. This council is made up of education experts.

Less glamorous but as important, I was also able learn how to use the phones and the Correspondence Management System (CMS). Although it was only two and a half days in Representative Zerwas’s office, everything I learned was truly valuable and appreciated.

During my lunch “break,” Alex Galvan and I were able to meet with Erin Daly-Wilson, who works for Speaker Joe Straus. During the meeting she stressed the importance of interning and gave us tips on how to be an effective professional. I learned that the committee appointments are made within the first three weeks of session and the Speaker is elected on the first day of session by the House Members. Speaker Straus was elected in a special election in 2005 and now has three bodies of constituents: his San Antonio District, the House, and the entire state of Texas. The Speaker of the House is the 3rd most important position in the legislature only following the Governor and the Lieutenant Governor. It was great meeting with such an experienced and dedicated individual and we were grateful she carved time out of her busy day for us.

Immediately following our work day we headed to Gourdough‘s, an extreme donut restaraunt, for a sweet meeting with Representative-Elect Ernest Bailes and his future chief of staff, Nick Raymond. Representative-Elect Bailes will be representing Huntsville in the State Legislature, so it was an honor to spend some time with him.

As a student who would like to intern during the Session, I asked Mr. Bailes numerous questions about the qualities he looks for in an intern and took mental note of his wise words.

  • Every interaction is an interview. Represent yourself well;
  • Open up and converse.  People want to feel welcome when they walk into an office;
  • Offices look for young people who will be reliable, professional, and skilled.

Tuesday Night Excursion: Mount Bonnell

After a day of (we hope) climbing the ladder of success, we decided to also climb Mount Bonnell.

Climbing is a bit of an overstatement, because Mount Bonnell is more of a stroll, but it does offer very pretty views, to the east and the Austin Skyline…

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The Austin Skyline from Mount Bonnell

…and to the West…

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The Colorado River at Sunset from Mount Bonnell

The elevation, sunset, and beautiful views prompted some fun photographs…

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…many of them utilizing all of Bonnell’s 780-foot elevation to prime advantage…

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Near the Peak of Mount Bonnell, at Sunset

Mount Bonnell is part of Austin’s impressive park system, one that helps the state’s capitol rank high in the “most fit cities” lists that crop up now and then.  But although there are some trails on Mount Bonnell, it’s more of a place to enjoy the sunset…

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…or to enjoy a group outing…

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LEAP Ambassadors with Professor Yawn on Mount Bonnell

…or simply to contemplate nature and the future…

 

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And after a day of building our skills, learning from others, and pursuing our dreams, we did indeed feel as though we had gotten a glimpse into a bright future.

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Author mikeyawnPosted on June 16, 2016June 16, 2016Format AsideCategories Civic Engagement, Fun, Jobs, Politics, TravelTags Austin, Ernest Bailes, John Zerwas, LEAP Center, Mount Bonnell, SHSULeave a comment on High Hopes for a Bright Future in Austin, TX

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