Courage versus Smith

Until boundaries of several Congressional Districts in Texas were changed by a federal court recently, Hays County residents were represented by Lamar Smith. I’ve written him often about issues up for a vote, with disappointing results. I hoped someone who would represent what was important to me would run for that seat and was delighted John Courage announced. While volunteering for the Courage campaign, I’ve gotten to know and admire him . When the district was reconfigured and Hays County got moved out of the 21st District, I was frustrated I no longer could vote for him. I’m still an enthusiastic volunteer.

Unlike Smith, Courage has military experience, enlisting in the Air Force during the Vietnam War. As a vet and son of a vet who died after never fully recovering from war wounds, veterans’ issues are priorities for Courage. Smith’s lack of support for concerns of disabled and retired veterans outraged him. (Disabled American Veterans rated Smith at zero in the three most recent years, according to Project Vote-Smart.) My dad served in W.W.II, so providing benefits veterans earned and were promised is a sacred trust to me as well.

After military service, Courage became a special education teacher (my own field) in San Antonio, but encountered chronic shortages of educational materials from inadequate funding of federally-mandated programs. He began actively lobbying Rep. Smith on the importance of adequate funding to educate our students. But Smith has a history of rubber-stamping efforts to cut funding for public schools (as well as financial aid for higher education), while supporting charter schools. Smith’s lack of vision or support for educating all students particularly motivated Courage’s challenge of Smith.

Smith also donated $10,000 to DeLay’s defense fund, defending DeLay’s “right” to be Majority leader even after he was indicted. Smith has made no secret of his hopes to be appointed chairman of the House Judiciary Committee in the next session.

I hope area voters recognize our tremendous need for change from a Congressman who has become out-of-touch and elect John Courage. Texans need Courage!