Thursday, May 9, 2013

THURSDAY, MAY 9 Action Alert

Today is our last day to get our bills out of the House, unless Governor Perry were to call a special session.  We hope they will at least get to HB 741.  We should talk about both HBs 741 and 1706 when contacting legislatorsPlease keep plugging away at making contacts today!  Most of the plan is unchanged, though we are no longer going to contact TPPA, and several legislators have been prioritized for phone calls in the list below.  Thank you ll for sticking with this!  Tonight we'll know if we need to keep it up to get through the Senate!

Here is the revised schedule for this last day of voting in the Texas House.

You can watch online.

or watch on digital cable: Channel 383 Time Warner Central Texas and channel 99 AT&T U-verse Austin.



Remember, even if you have already made contact, please do so again.  And please share this issue with family and friends, your pediatrician, ob-gyn, midwife, doula, family doctor, local hospital, etc.  Be sure to relay the urgency.  You can make contact no matter where you live.  We are all stakeholders in breastfeeding legislation.  You can make more than one form of contact.  Yes - it's ok to email and then call, too.

There's a lot of info here, so there are different colors for the different actions.  Just scroll from color to color - from EMAILS to PHONE CALLS to VISITS.


There is a special event this morning at the Capitol to honor mothers.  You can attend Senator Zaffirini's resolution - she has successfully attached an ammendment to another bill that may lead to the creation of a lactation suite in the Capitol.  If you can attend and visit legislators before and/or after, that would be wonderful.  Details are at the bottom with "VISITS."

EMAILS:


Copy and paste the following email addresses into the "To" section of your email.  If any bounce back, try sending them in a small group or individually.


Alma.Allen@house.state.tx.us, Roberto.Alonzo@house.state.tx.us, Carol.Alvarado@house.state.tx.us, Rafael.Anchia@house.state.tx.us, Charles.Anderson@house.state.tx.us, Trent.Ashby@house.state.tx.us, Jimmie.Aycock@house.state.tx.us, Cecil.Bell@house.state.tx.us, Dwayne.Bohac@house.state.tx.us, Dennis.Bonnen@house.state.tx.us, Greg.Bonnen@house.state.tx.us, Dan.Branch@house.state.tx.us, Cindy.Burkett@house.state.tx.us, Lon.Burnam@house.state.tx.us, Angie.Button@house.state.tx.us, bill.callegari@house.state.tx.us, Terry.Canales@house.state.tx.us, Giovanni.Capriglione@house.state.tx.us, Stefani.Carter@house.state.tx.us, Travis.Clardy@house.state.tx.us, Garnet.Coleman@house.state.tx.us, Nicole.Collier@house.state.tx.us, Byron.Cook@house.state.tx.us, Philip.Cortez@house.state.tx.us, Tom.Craddick@house.state.tx.us, Brandon.Creighton@house.state.tx.us, Myra.Crownover@house.state.tx.us, Tony.Dale@house.state.tx.us, Drew.Darby@house.state.tx.us, John.Davis@house.state.tx.us, Sarah.Davis@house.state.tx.us, Yvonne.Davis@house.state.tx.us, joe.deshotel@house.state.tx.us, Dawnna.Dukes@house.state.tx.us, Harold.Dutton@house.state.tx.us, craig.eiland@house.state.tx.us, Gary.Elkins@house.state.tx.us, Pat.Fallon@house.state.tx.us, Joe.Farias@house.state.tx.us, Marsha.Farney@house.state.tx.us, Jessica.Farrar@house.state.tx.us, Allen.Fletcher@house.state.tx.us, Dan.Flynn@house.state.tx.us, James.Frank@house.state.tx.us, John.Frullo@house.state.tx.us, Charlie.Geren@house.state.tx.us, Helen.Giddings@house.state.tx.us, Craig.Goldman@house.state.tx.us, Larry.Gonzales@house.state.tx.us, Mary.Gonzalez@house.state.tx.us, Naomi.Gonzalez@house.state.tx.us, Lance.Gooden@house.state.tx.us, bobby.guerra@house.state.tx.us, Ryan.Guillen@house.state.tx.us, Roland.Gutierrez@house.state.tx.us, Patricia.Harless@house.state.tx.us, District105.Harper-Brown@house.state.tx.us, Ana.Hernandez@house.state.tx.us, Abel.Herrero@house.state.tx.us, Harvey.Hilderbran@house.state.tx.us, Donna.Howard@house.state.tx.us, Dan.Huberty@house.state.tx.us, Bryan.Hughes@house.state.tx.us, Todd.Hunter@house.state.tx.us, Jason.Isaac@house.state.tx.us, Eric.Johnson@house.state.tx.us, Kyle.Kacal@house.state.tx.us, James.Keffer@house.state.tx.us, Ken.King@house.state.tx.us, Phil.King@house.state.tx.us, Susan.King@house.state.tx.us, Tracy.King@house.state.tx.us, Tim.Kleinschmidt@house.state.tx.us, Stephanie.Klick@house.state.tx.us, Lois.Kolkhorst@house.state.tx.us, Matt.Krause@house.state.tx.us, John.Kuempel@house.state.tx.us, Lyle.Larson@house.state.tx.us, Jodie.Laubenberg@house.state.tx.us, George.Lavender@house.state.tx.us, Jeff.Leach@house.state.tx.us, Tryon.Lewis@house.state.tx.us, Oscar.Longoria@house.state.tx.us, jose.lozano@house.state.tx.us, Marisa.Marquez@house.state.tx.us,
District39.Martinez@house.state.tx.us, Trey.Martinez.Fischer@house.state.tx.us, Ruth.Jones.McClendon@house.state.tx.us, Jose.Menendez@house.state.tx.us, Borris.Miles@house.state.tx.us, Doug.Miller@house.state.tx.us, Rick.Miller@house.state.tx.us, Joe.Moody@house.state.tx.us, Geanie.Morrison@house.state.tx.us, Sergio.Munoz@house.state.tx.us, Jim.Murphy@house.state.tx.us, Elliott.Naishtat@house.state.tx.us, Poncho.Nevarez@house.state.tx.us, Rene.Oliveira@house.state.tx.us, Rob.Orr@house.state.tx.us, John.Otto@house.state.tx.us, Chris.Paddie@house.state.tx.us, Tan.Parker@house.state.tx.us, Diane.Patrick@house.state.tx.us, MaryAnn.Perez@house.state.tx.us, Charles.Perry@house.state.tx.us, Larry.Phillips@house.state.tx.us, Joe.Pickett@house.state.tx.us, Jim.Pitts@house.state.tx.us, Four.Price@house.state.tx.us, John.Raney@house.state.tx.us, Bennett.Ratliff@house.state.tx.us, Richard.Raymond@house.state.tx.us, rraymondtx@aol.com, Ron.Reynolds@house.state.tx.us, Debbie.Riddle@house.state.tx.us, Allan.Ritter@house.state.tx.us, Eddie.Rodriguez@house.state.tx.us, Justin.Rodriguez@house.state.tx.us, Toni.Rose@house.state.tx.us, Scott.Sanford@house.state.tx.us, Matt.Schaefer@house.state.tx.us, Kenneth.Sheets@house.state.tx.us, j.d.sheffield@house.state.tx.us, Ralph.Sheffield@house.state.tx.us, Ron.Simmons@house.state.tx.us, David.Simpson@house.state.tx.us, Wayne.Smith@house.state.tx.us, John.Smithee@house.state.tx.us, Drew.Springer@house.state.tx.us, Phil.Stephenson@house.state.tx.us, Jonathan.Stickland@house.state.tx.us, Mark.Strama@house.state.tx.us,
district121.straus@house.state.tx.us, Van.Taylor@house.state.tx.us, Ed.Thompson@house.state.tx.us, Senfronia.Thompson@house.state.tx.us, Steve.Toth@house.state.tx.us, Chris.Turner@house.state.tx.us, Scott.Turner@house.state.tx.us, Sylvester.Turner@house.state.tx.us, Jason.Villalba@house.state.tx.us, Michael.Villarreal@house.state.tx.us, Hubert.Vo@house.state.tx.us, Armando.Walle@house.state.tx.us, James.White@house.state.tx.us, Paul.Workman@house.state.tx.us, Gene.Wu@house.state.tx.us,  Bill.Zedler@house.state.tx.us, John.Zerwas@house.state.tx.us, Brian.Birdwell@senate.state.tx.us, Donna.Campbell@senate.state.tx.us, John.Carona@senate.state.tx.us, Wendy.Davis@senate.state.tx.us, bob.deuell@senate.state.tx.us, Robert.Duncan@senate.state.tx.us, Rodney.Ellis@senate.state.tx.us, Kevin.Eltife@senate.state.tx.us, Craig.Estes@senate.state.tx.us, Troy.Fraser@senate.state.tx.us, Sylvia.Garcia@senate.state.tx.us, Kelly.Hancock@senate.state.tx.us, Glenn.Hegar@senate.state.tx.us, Juan.Hinojosa@senate.state.tx.us, Joan.Huffman@senate.state.tx.us, Eddie.Lucio@senate.state.tx.us, Jane.Nelson@senate.state.tx.us, Robert.Nichols@senate.state.tx.us, Dan.Patrick@senate.state.tx.us, Ken.Paxton@senate.state.tx.us, Jose.Rodriguez@senate.state.tx.us, Charles.Schwertner@senate.state.tx.us, Kel.Seliger@senate.state.tx.us, Larry.Taylor@senate.state.tx.us, Carlos.Uresti@senate.state.tx.us, Leticia.VandePutte@senate.state.tx.us, Kirk.Watson@senate.state.tx.us, Royce.West@senate.state.tx.us, John.Whitmire@senate.state.tx.us, Tommy.Williams@senate.state.tx.us, Judith.Zaffirini@senate.state.tx.us, USBFLeg@gmail.com 
Then choose one of the following five sample emails below (in black) and copy and paste it into the body of your email.  Please personalize it as much as you can take the time to do (but better sent generic than not sent at all - just change anything in ALL CAPS).  As you personalize your email, consider the following:

  • Begin by introducing yourself as a constituent, IF you are a Texas resident. Find your district number here. If you are writing on behalf of a group, please identify yourself here ("Member of Texas Breastfeeding Coalition", "Secretary of IBCLCs of Dallas", etc)

  • Keep it short (two paragraphs). 

  • If you have been affected by discrimination for nursing in public or a lack of support for pumping at work, relate this very briefly. 

  • Ask that the legislator vote for HBs 1706 and 741.

  • Ask for a written response on the Representative's position on the bill. That way a staffer has to do some research and the member has to sign a letter with a position on it.

  • Make certain that letters are not antagonistic or accusatory.

  • Please include with your signature (for Texans only - out of state supporters please just sign your name and phone number):

  1. Name
  2. Physical Address
  3. Zip Code
  4. Phone Number(s)
  5. Your organization if you are writing on behalf of a group ("Member of Texas Breastfeeding Coalition", "Secretary of IBCLCs of Dallas", etc)
If you are writing on behalf of a group, such as Texas local breastfeeding coalitions, Texas IBCLC clubs, Texas chapter of AAP, Texas Baby Friendly folks, Texas Mother Friendly folks, parenting groups, etc. please consider the following:
Letters should begin with an introduction of your group. They should talk about health benefits of BF, how you support BF in your community, and HB 1706 and HB 741. Letters from a mom should be personalized from the mom's point of view, but these letters should be personalized from the organization's view. These letters can be more lengthy than the 2 paragraph max for letters from individuals (but still somewhat brief).
Please make clear that you represent constituents outside of just your zip code, if that is the case.  Please give an idea of how many people are in your group, and/or how many people your group serves.
 
Example #1

Dear Legislator,

I hope this email finds you well. As a resident of (DISTRICT #, REGION, OR TEXAS AND MEMBER OF ORGANIZATION), I’m writing to ask for your support of House Bill 741, authored by Rep. Walle and coauthored by Rep. Hernandez Luna. This uncontroversial bill passed unanimously out of the Business and Industry Committee. HB 741 is on the schedule for vote on Wednesday, 5/8.  For many breastfeeding moms that plan on returning to work, the worries of continuing to breastfeed while away from their baby lead to many sleepless nights. While Section 7(r) of the Fair Labor Standards Act (Break Time for Nursing Mothers Provision) provides moms who are non-exempt employees protection to pump at work, it does not cover all working, breastfeeding moms.  Texas House Bill 741 will extend current work-site pumping protections to salaried public employees so that they can contribute to the work force while still providing their babies with breastmilk.  I would be grateful for a written response letting me know your position on HB 741.

HB 1706 (scheduled for 5/9) will strengthen Health and Safety Code 165.002, a law that asserts a mother's right to nurse her baby in public.  This law is regularly violated, and the fear of a confrontation serves as a barrier to breastfeeding for many women.  Please support both of these bills in the interest of child and maternal health.  

 
Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

NAME
PHYSICAL ADDRESS
ZIP CODE
PHONE NUMBER
ORGANIZATION (IF ANY)


Example #2

Hello,

I hope this email finds you well. I am a mother who resides in the State of Texas (OR BE SPECIFIC ABOUT DISTRICT/REGION IF IT IS THIS LEGISLATOR'S) and I’m writing to ask for your support of House Bill 741, authored by Rep. Walle and coauthored by Rep. Hernandez Luna. This uncontroversial bill passed unanimously out of the Business and Industry Committee. HB 741 is on the schedule for vote on Wednesday, 5/8.  While hourly public employees have reasonable accommodations to express breastmilk at work, salaried public employees are currently exempt.  Many moms stop breastfeeding after they return to work due to lack of employer support. Texas House Bill 741 will extend current work-site pumping protections to salaried public employees so that they can contribute to the work force while still providing their babies with breastmilk.

Breastmilk is the ideal food for newborns and infants. It gives infants all the nutrients they need for healthy development. It is safe and contains antibodies that help protect infants from common childhood illnesses - such as diarrhea and pneumonia, the two primary causes of child mortality worldwide. Breastmilk is readily available and affordable, which helps to ensure that infants get adequate sustenance (World Health Organization, 2012).  HB 1706 will address another barrier to breastfeeding, a fear of nursing in public.  It is on the calendar for Thursday, 5/9.  We have a law that asserts a mother's right, but does not protect it, and it is frequently violated.  HB 1706 will strengthen the existing law.  Please vote in favor of House Bills 741 and 1706.  I would very much appreciate a written response explaining your position on House Bills 741 and 1706.  I would welcome the chance to further discuss the importance of community support and breastfeeding!

Thank you for your time and support,

NAME
PHYSICAL ADDRESS
ZIP CODE
PHONE NUMBER
ORGANIZATION (IF ANY)


 

Example #3

Hello,

I'm a new mother in (CITY/DISTRICT/REGION, TX, AND ORGANIZATION IF ANY) and I breastfeed my baby and I’m writing to ask for your support of House Bill 741, authored by Rep. Walle and coauthored by Rep. Hernandez Luna. This uncontroversial bill passed unanimously out of the Business and Industry Committee. HB 741 is on the schedule for a vote on Wednesday, 5/8. HB 741 will extend work site accommodations to salaried public employees, which are already afforded to hourly employees.  Breastfeeding rates of initiation are around 80%, however, as women return to work and are unsupported in their efforts to express breastmilk for their babies, breastfeeding rates drop dramatically.  This is a public health issue.  Increased breastfeeding rates will save lives and a lot of money. 

Another way in which mother's need support is to protect their right to breastfeed their babies in public.  Health and Safety Code 165.002 is frequently violated.  A law which is flouted with impunity weakens the rule of law.  HB 1706 would strengthen existing law. 


Please support these bills, and support Texas mothers and babies.

Thank you,

NAME and son/daughter NAME (NUMBER OF months)
PHYSICAL ADDRESS
ZIP CODE
PHONE NUMBER
ORGANIZATION (IF ANY)

 

Example #4

Hello,

I am a constituent of district (DISTRICT NUMBER AND ORGANIZATION IF ANY) and breastfed/am breastfeeding my child(ren). I’m writing to ask for your support of House Bill 741, authored by Rep. Walle and coauthored by Rep. Hernandez Luna. This uncontroversial bill passed unanimously out of the Business and Industry Committee. HB 741 is on the schedule for vote on Wednesday, May 8th.  HB 741 will support mothers who return to work in their efforts to continue to provide breastmilk for their babies by providing reasonable accommodations to salaried public employees that are already afforded hourly employees.  While the great State of Texas already recognizes breastfeeding as the best method of infant nutrition, there are no laws in place to support an exempt public employee that wishes to continue breastfeeding after returning to work.

HB 1706 (set for Thursday, May 9th) will go a long way to reducing discrimination regularly faced by women whose right to nurse their babies in public is violated frequently. 
I would very much appreciate a written response regarding your position on House Bills 741 and 1706, and I fervently hope that they have your support.

Respectfully,

NAME
PHYSICAL ADDRESS
ZIP CODE
PHONE NUMBER
ORGANIZATION (IF ANY)


 

Example #5

Dear Legislator,
 

I am a breastfeeding mother living in (DISTRICT #, REGION, OR TEXAS, AND ORGANIZATION IF ANY) and it has come to my attention that House Bill 741, authored by Rep. Walle and co-authored by Rep. Hernandez Luna, is to be voted on today. I’m writing to ask for your support of House Bill 741.  While breastfeeding in Texas has a high initiation rate, there is a large drop around the time moms return to work. Many moms stop breastfeeding due to a lack of support from their employers. And while federal law requires that working mothers paid on an hourly basis receive reasonable breaks for pumping and a space in which to pump, there is no such protection for salaried public employees, such as teachers. HB 741 would extend current pump at work laws to all state public employees, including salaried employees.

Another bill, HB 1706 (set for Thursday), would educate and enforce an existing law that has been on the books since 1995 and asserts a mother's right to nurse her baby in public.  This is a vital right, as mothers must go to the grocery store and run errands, and babies must eat every couple of hours. 
I ask that you help us to support these pieces of legislation so that we can give our children the best possible nutrition without fear of harassment; so mothers won't be forced to choose between their babies and their jobs.  I would appreciate an opportunity to discuss this important public health issue, and I hope to receive a written reply with your position on the bills.  Thank you for your consideration.

Best Regards,

NAME
PHYSICAL ADDRESS
ZIP CODE
PHONE NUMBER
ORGANIZATION (IF ANY)


CALLS:

We MUST be courteous in all communications.  Even if the staffer you talk to is cold - even out and out rude - no matter what, be respectful.

The list below does not include most of the Business and Industry or Calendars Committee members, as they have shown the bills support.
 

If you are not a Texas resident, start by calling Republicans.  While breastfeeding is bi-partisan, conservatives will be more hesitant about placing regulations on businesses, and they are in the majority.
  The women are marked with two asterisks (**) and are in red.  The more conservative men are marked with one asterisk (*) and are in blue.  Legislators that we are adding to our priority list today will be in green with three asterisks (***).

Call your own rep if you reside in Texas, then any districts that are close to yours, particularly conservatives (use the district numbers as a guide - they're not necessarily logical but they are to a degree).  Find your rep here: http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/find-your-representative/

Please leave a comment listing who you called, so that we can be sure all reps are being called.  If you are told that a rep does or does not support either bill, please note this in the comments. 
  
The Austin area code is 512.
 
Name (Party)   District #   Phone Number

Alma A. Allen (D) 131    512-463-0744

 
Rafael Anchia (D) 103    512-463-0746
 

Charles "Doc" Anderson (R) 56    512-463-0135  
 
*Trent Ashby (R) 57    512-463-0508 
 

Jimmie Don Aycock (R) 54     512-463-0684 

 
***Cecil Bell (R) 3     512-463-0650
 

Dennis H. Bonnen (R) 25   512-463-0564
 

***Greg Bonnen (R) 24   512-463-0729
 

**Cindy Burkett (R) 113   512-463-0464 
 

Lon Burnam (D) 90   512-463-0740 
 

***Angie Chen Button (R) 112  512-463-0486 
 

William A. "Bill" Callegari (R) 132  512-463-0528 
 

Terry Canales (D) 40    512-463-0426
 

*Giovanni Capriglione (R) 98    512-463-0690
 

**Stefani Carter (R) 102   512-463-0454 
 

*Travis Clardy (R) 11   512-463-0592 
 

Garnet Coleman (D) 147   512-463-0524 
 

Nicole Collier (D) 95   512-463-0716 


*Byron C. Cook (R) 8   512-463-0730 

 
Philip Cortez (D) 117  512-463-0269  
 

***Tom Craddick (R) 82   512-463-0500 
 

*Brandon Creighton (R) 16  512-463-0726 

 
**Myra Crownover (R) 64  512-463-0582 

 
***Tony Dale (R) 136   512-463-0696 

***Drew Darby (R) 72   512-463-0331 
 

John E. Davis (R) 129   512-463-0734 


**Sarah Davis (R) 134  512-463-0389  
 
Yvonne Davis (D) 111    512-463-0598 
 

Joseph "Joe" Deshotel (D) 22  512-463-0662  
 

Dawnna M. Dukes (D) 46  512-463-0506   
 

Harold V. Dutton (D) 142   512-463-0510 
 

***Gary Elkins (R) 135   512-463-0722 
 

*Pat Fallon (R) 106   512-463-0697 
 

Joe Farias (D) 118   512-463-0714 
 

**Marsha Farney (R) 20   512-463-0309 
 

Jessica Farrar (D) 148   512-463-0620
 

*Allen Fletcher (R) 130   512-463-0661 
 

***Dan Flynn (R) 2   512-463-0880 
 

***James Frank (R) 69   512-463-0534 
 

Charlie L. Geren (R) 99   512-463-0610 
 

***Craig Goldman (R) 97   512-463-0608 
 

Larry Gonzales (R) 52   512-463-0670 
 

Mary E. Gonzalez (D) 75   512-463-0613 
 

Naomi Gonzalez (D) 76   512-463-0622 
 

Lance Gooden (R) 4   512-463-0458
 

Robert Guerra (D) 41   512-463-0578 
 

Ryan Guillen (D) 31   512-463-0416 
 

Roland Gutierrez (D) 119   512-463-0452 
 

**Patricia F. Harless (R) 126   512-463-0496 
 

***Linda Harper-Brown (R) 105   512-463-0641
 

Ana Hernandez Luna (D) 143   512-463-0614 
 

Abel Herrero (D) 34  512-463-0462  
 

*Harvey Hilderbran (R) 53   512-463-0536 
 

Donna Howard (D) 48   512-463-0631 
 

*Dan Huberty (R) 127   512-463-0520 
 

*Bryan Hughes (R) 5   512-463-0271 
 

*Jason A. Isaac (R) 45   512-463-0647 
 

Eric Johnson (D) 100   512-463-0586
 

Kyle J. Kacal (R) 12   512-463-0412
 

James L. "Jim" Keffer (R) 60   512-463-0656 
 

*Ken King (R) 88  512-463-0736 
 

*Phil S. King (R) 61   512-463-0738 
 

Tracy O. King (D) 80  512-463-0194 
 

Tim Kleinschmidt (R) 17   512-463-0682 
 

**Stephanie Klick (R) 91   512-463-0599 
 

**Lois W. Kolkhorst (R) 13   512-463-0600 
 

*Matt Krause (R) 93  512-463-0562
 

Lyle Larson (R) 122   512-463-0646 
 

**Jodie Laubenberg (R) 89   512-463-0186 
 

***George Lavender (R) 1   512-463-0692 
 

*Jeff Leach (R) 67   512-463-0544 
 

Tryon D. Lewis (R) 81  512-463-0546 
 

Oscar Longoria (D) 35  512-463-0645 
 

J.M. Lozano (R) 43   512-463-0463 

 
Marisa Marquez (D) 77   512-463-0638 
 

Armando A. "Mando" Martinez (D) 39   512-463-0530 
 

Trey Martinez Fischer (D) 116   512-463-0616 
 

Ruth Jones McClendon (D) 120   512-463-0708 
 

Jose Menendez (D) 124   512-463-0634 
 

Borris L. Miles (D) 146   512-463-0518  
 

Doug Miller (R) 73  512-463-0325 
 

*Rick Miller (R) 26  512-463-0710 
 

Joe Moody (D) 78   512-463-0728 
 

**Geanie W. Morrison (R) 30  512-463-0456 
 

Sergio Muñoz (D) 36  512-463-0704 
 

Jim Murphy (R) 133   512-463-0514 
 

Elliott Naishtat (D) 49   512-463-0668 
 

Poncho Nevarez (D) 74   512-463-0566 
 

*Rob D. Orr (R) 58   512-463-0538  
 

John C. Otto (R) 18   512-463-0570 
 

*Chris Paddie (R) 9   512-463-0556 
 

*Tan Parker (R) 63   512-463-0688 
 

**Diane Patrick (R) 94   512-463-0624 
 

Mary Ann Perez (D) 144   512-463-0460 
 

*Charles Perry (R) 83   512-463-0542 
 

***Larry Phillips (R) 62   512-463-0297 
 

Joseph C. "Joe" Pickett (D) 79   512-463-0596 
 

Jim Pitts (R) 10   512-463-0516 
 

*Four Price (R) 87   512-463-0470 
 

*John Raney (R) 14   512-463-0698 
 

Bennett Ratliff (R) 115   512-463-0468 
 

Richard Peña Raymond (D) 42   512-463-0558 
 

Ron Reynolds (D) 27   512-463-0494 
 

**Debbie Riddle (R) 150   512-463-0572 
 

Allan B. Ritter (R) 21   512-463-0706 
 

Justin Rodriguez (D) 125  512-463-0663  
 

Toni Rose (D) 110   512-463-0664 
 

***Scott Sanford (R) 70   512-463-0356 
 

*Matt Schaefer (R) 6   512-463-0584 
 

***Kenneth Sheets (R) 107   512-463-0244 
 

*J.D. Sheffield (R) 59   512-463-0628 
 

Ralph Sheffield (R) 55   512-463-0630 
 

*Ron Simmons (R) 65  512-463-0478 
 

***David Simpson (R) 7   512-463-0750 

***Wayne Smith (R) 128   512-463-0773 
 

John T. Smithee (R) 86   512-463-0702 
 

*Drew Springer (R) 68   512-463-0526 
 

*Phil Stephenson (R) 85  512-463-0604 

*Jonathan Stickland (R) 92   512-463-0522 
 

Mark Strama (D) 50  512-463-0821 
 

*Van Taylor (R) 66   512-463-0594
 

Ed Thompson (R) 29  512-463-0707 
 

Senfronia Thompson (D)   512-463-0720 
 

*Steve Toth (R) 15  512-463-0797 
 

Chris Turner (D) 101  512-463-0574 
 

Scott Turner (R) 33  512-463-0484 
 

Sylvester Turner (D) 139   512-463-0554 


***Jason Villalba (R) 114  512-463-0567 
 
Michael "Mike" Villarreal (D)   512-463-0532 
 

Hubert Vo (D) 149   512-463-0568 
 

*James White (R) 19  512-463-0490 
 

Gene Wu (D) 137  512-463-0492 
 

***William "Bill" Zedler (R) 96  512-463-0374 
 

John Zerwas (R) 28  512-463-0657




 

VISITS:

If you can visit the Capitol, that will make a great impact.  Call 512.655.9647 to coordinate efforts.  A good place to park is at 1201 San Jacinto in the Capitil Visitors Parking Garage.  Dress business casual if you can.  It's fine to bring children.  And of course, be respectful and courteous.  The Capitol is at 1100 Congress Ave, Austin, TX.


Sen. Zaffirini has been trying to get a lactation suite built at the Capitol and she had no luck getting it constructed just by request, so she attached an amendment to the State Preservation Board's Sunset bill, which has passed! It requires them to do a study and plans to build a lactation suite at the Capitol.

She is having a "resolution" today to honor nursing moms and bring some attention in general to breastfeeding. She wanted to do it just before Mother's Day. A resolution is not a law, it is something they do to recognize or honor someone - it's a ceremonial type thing. Other examples of resolutions are congratulating a high school football team on winning a state championship or congratulating a married couple who is celebrating a 60 year wedding anniversary - that type of thing. So it is really just a ceremonial deal to raise awareness about breastfeeding and the lactation suite she wants them to construct. They have asked various groups to provide information on breastfeeding and they plan to have bags to pass out to all the Senators as well as members of the public who attend.

The event is at approximately 11 am (as soon as session begins). Anyone wishing to participate should go to Senator Zaffirini’s office 30 min prior to the start of session (10:30), if possible, to gather and to walk up to the gallery as a group. Nathan Lerma, our scheduler will escort everyone up to the best section of the gallery for the event.


Her office is 1E.14. Anyone wishing to attend should park in visitor's garage (1201 San Jacinto) and enter through east door to the Capitol. Her office is in the left hand corner as soon as you go through security so very easy to find.

There are maps at our Central Texas Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition event.

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