"All of us working together is the answer. Now is not the time for politics. It is all about doing all we can so that we never see another tragedy like this happen again in Texas."
Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN, Texas – Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick appointed 11 Senators to the "Senate Special Committee to Protect All Texans" on Wednesday, and named Sen. Robert Nichols as Chairman along with Senators Brandon Creighton and Sen. Lois Kolkhorst as Co-Vice Chairs. Upon forming the committee, Lt. Gov. Patrick said:
"In response to Gov. Abbott's request, as President of the Texas Senate I am today naming the following members to the Senate Special Committee to Protect All Texans:
Sen. Robert Nichols, R-Jacksonville, Chair (at right,)- Sen. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe, Co-Vice Chair
- Sen. Lois Kolkhorst, R-Brenham, Co-Vice Chair
- Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston
- Sen. Brian Birdwell, R-Granbury
- Sen. Donna Campbell, R-New Braunfels
- Sen. Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa, D-McAllen
- Sen. Bryan Hughes, R-Tyler
- Sen. Charles Perry, R-Lubbock
- Sen. Royce West, D-Dallas
- Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo
"Chairman Nichols is an engineer by profession, Sen. Creighton is Chairman of the Senate Committee on Education & Higher Education, and Sen. Kolkhorst is Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health & Human Services. These three leaders have the experience and knowledge to lead this important committee.
"The committee members also represent a cross section of school districts and communities of all sizes across the state," said Patrick.
"The committee members also represent a cross section of school districts and communities of all sizes across the state," said Patrick.
"Gov. Abbott has asked us to study 5 important areas:
- School Safety
- Mental Health
- Social Media
- Police Training
- Firearm Safety
"I have asked Chair Nichols to hold his hearing on June 23 or a date shortly thereafter. I want to give the families and the community of Uvalde time to complete all funeral services before beginning hearings so those who wish to testify may take part. I have asked Chair Nichols to coordinate with the House of Representatives Chair to hold their hearings on the same date, if possible, to accommodate both invited and public witnesses.
"Before creation of this committee, last week, I sent a letter to the Commissioner of the Texas Education Agency, Mike Morath (at right with Gov. Greg Abbott,) to request an extension through the end of the next legislative session for applying for school safety grants, which were set to expire on May 31. There is still nearly $14 million in the fund that schools could still request," said the Lt. Governor."We will also be working with Attorney General Paxton's office to ensure payments from the Crime Victims' Compensation Fund, once approved, are expedited.
"All of us working together is the answer. Now is not the time for politics. It is all about doing all we can so that we never see another tragedy like this happen again in Texas," Patrick said.
