Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN Texas So what makes a smart successful businessman put aside his career and expose himself to constant scrutiny by the media not to mention countless negative attacks from the opposition all for a job that pays just $7200 a year? Well just ask David Dewhurst the 2-term lieutenant governor of Texas. For me serving the people of Texas is a special honor with its own unique rewards" Dewhurst says.
The rampant partisanship in Washington is enough to make anyone lose faith in government. Add to it the endless feeding frenzy of the scandal-hungry 24-hour cable news cycle and its no wonder many of our best and brightest leaders have little interest in running for public office these days.
I enjoy helping solve problems and I get great personal satisfaction from creating more opportunity and making a positive difference in the lives of Texans" said Dewhurst.
Its that optimistic solution-oriented approach that has earned Dewhurst a reputation as the Lone Star States conservative statesman a consensus builder with the distinctive ability to cut past the partisanship and garner support from both sides of the aisle.
As president of the Texas Senate the lieutenant governor is charged with the unenviable task of getting 19 Republicans and 12 Democrats to agree. Most passive political observers might view that as mission impossible.
Yet in the last two sessions of the legislature Dewhurst is credited with achieving an astonishing record of landslide bipartisan votes. In fact approximately 98 percent of the votes taken in the Texas Senate passed with majorities of 87 percent or more.
When you look up from the Senate floor and you see those five letters T-E-X-A-S inscribed above its a reminder of what we can accomplish when we put Texans first" Dewhurst explains.
Shortly before his third birthday Dewhurst lost his father in an automobile accident. The tragedy left an indelible impression on his family including his mother and his younger brother. It wasnt until many years later that he would come face-to-face with the full magnitude of his fathers legacy and service.
In 2007 I took my brother and family to Normandy for D-Day" Dewhurst recalls. At the Utah Beach Museum we came across my fathers name prominently displayed in one of the exhibits. It was only there I discovered that my dad led a squadron of B-26s on D-Day attacking Nazi gun emplacements only minutes before the infantry landed on Utah Beach."
As it turns out the father Dewhurst never knew was a highly decorated World War II bomber pilot and among the long list of unsung heroes from the D-Day campaign.
It was an incredibly emotional experience to come face-to-face with details about dads life and his service during the war" Dewhurst says. He and his brave crew are outstanding examples of why we still call them the greatest generation."
Born and raised in Houston the future lieutenant governor of Texas learned to overcome challenges by taking them head on. As a child he stuttered. So he joined the debate team at Lamar High School and with practice learned to overcome his speech impediment.
His hardworking mother who raised two young sons on the single income she earned as a secretary didnt have much money to send either of the boys to college. But with solid grades and a good jump-shot the 65 Dewhurst earned a spot on the basketball team at the University of Arizona where he also earned his bachelors degree.
Unfortunately Arizona retired my jersey after two years but not my number" Dewhurst jokes. Nevertheless Im profoundly grateful for the education I received. Im a product of great public schools. I tell kids all over Texas to follow their dreams because there is no limit to what you can accomplish when you combine hard work with a good education."
At the height of the Cold War-Vietnam era Dewhurst dedicated his young adult life to serving his country first in the U.S. Air Force then in the CIA and later in the State Department. When he left government service he returned to Houston to begin his career in business.
In the early 1980s he started his own company but like so many other Texas businesses at the time he lost nearly everything when the oil and gas and real estate markets went bust.
For several years I worked for practically nothing to repay what I owed" says Dewhurst who gradually built back all that he lost and more to become a well-known businessman and civic leader in Houston.
Dewhurst gives much of the credit for his approach to public service to his mother. His first foray into politics was a run for Texas land commissioner in 1998.
After I made the decision to run for land commissioner I knew there was one special person I had to talk to: my mom" Dewhurst recalls. So I took her to lunch and when I told her my plans she said David have you completely lost your mind?"
He says she came around after he explained that his only interest was in helping others and making Texas a better place to work and live.
Okay you have my blessing" his mom told him so long as you promise me that every day youll fight for those who have no one else to fight for them." Its a promise Dewhurst says he has strived to keep ever since.
In 1999 Dewhurst became commissioner of the General Land Office (GLO) where he immediately put his business acumen to work this time for the people of Texas. In four years he reduced the budget at the GLO and actually sent money back to the legislature and Texas taxpayers not once but twice.
Over the same period he certified $1 billion in low-interest loans to Texas military veterans. As land commissioner Dewhurst was also in charge of protecting state lands coastal waters and estuaries a job he took very seriously.
Today the lieutenant governor is still following the advice he got from his mother more than a decade ago. The bleak jobs forecast resulting from the prolonged downturn in the U.S. economy has focused Dewhursts attention on the plight of the unemployed.
In February Dewhurst kicked off an innovative new jobs program called Texas Back to Work." Administered through the Texas Workforce Commission the program provides up to $2000 in bonuses and other financial incentives for businesses that hire unemployed Texans.
Despite the poor economy in the first half of 2010 Texas employers added 166100 new jobs and the states unemployment rate remains well below the national average.
Its better than other parts of the country but its little comfort to anyone who is currently out of work" Dewhurst says. For someone who is unemployed the unemployment rate is 100 percent."
Nonetheless Dewhurst says hes very pleased with the work the legislature has done during his tenure to promote a predictable business climate attract jobs and entice companies to relocate to Texas. And it seems to be working.
Were consistently recognized as the best place in America to do business" Dewhurst proudly points out. Next time youre in a parking lot just look at all the license plates from other states. Its not just companies. People from all over the United States are voting with their feet; nearly 1300 a day are moving to Texas."
According to the U.S. Census Bureau in just one year between July 2008 and July 2009 Texas gained 478012 new residents almost 100000 more than the second-place state California.
Texas is clearly the best place to live work and raise a family" the lieutenant governor says. Were the land of opportunity. But with these opportunities comes a unique set of challenges for example improving public and higher education ensuring public safety maintaining our transportation systems and providing clean water and clean energy for our rapidly growing population."
True to his lifetime commitment to public service and penchant for problem-solving the lieutenant governor stands ready to meet these future challenges by drawing on the breadth and depth of his experience as a successful businessman and as one of the states most influential policy makers.
Dewhurst readily admits that his public service is far less profitable compared to what he could be earning in the private sector. But for him the personal satisfaction he gets from serving the people of Texas is far more rewarding.
For more information about Texas Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst visit www.DavidDewhurst.com.
Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN Texas So what makes a smart successful businessman put aside his career and expose himself to constant scrutiny by the media not to mention countless negative attacks from the opposition all for a job that pays just $7200 a year? Well just ask David Dewhurst the 2-term lieutenant governor of Texas. For me serving the people of Texas is a special honor with its own unique rewards" Dewhurst says.
The rampant partisanship in Washington is enough to make anyone lose faith in government. Add to it the endless feeding frenzy of the scandal-hungry 24-hour cable news cycle and its no wonder many of our best and brightest leaders have little interest in running for public office these days.
I enjoy helping solve problems and I get great personal satisfaction from creating more opportunity and making a positive difference in the lives of Texans" said Dewhurst.
Its that optimistic solution-oriented approach that has earned Dewhurst a reputation as the Lone Star States conservative statesman a consensus builder with the distinctive ability to cut past the partisanship and garner support from both sides of the aisle.
As president of the Texas Senate the lieutenant governor is charged with the unenviable task of getting 19 Republicans and 12 Democrats to agree. Most passive political observers might view that as mission impossible.
Yet in the last two sessions of the legislature Dewhurst is credited with achieving an astonishing record of landslide bipartisan votes. In fact approximately 98 percent of the votes taken in the Texas Senate passed with majorities of 87 percent or more.
When you look up from the Senate floor and you see those five letters T-E-X-A-S inscribed above its a reminder of what we can accomplish when we put Texans first" Dewhurst explains.
Shortly before his third birthday Dewhurst lost his father in an automobile accident. The tragedy left an indelible impression on his family including his mother and his younger brother. It wasnt until many years later that he would come face-to-face with the full magnitude of his fathers legacy and service.
In 2007 I took my brother and family to Normandy for D-Day" Dewhurst recalls. At the Utah Beach Museum we came across my fathers name prominently displayed in one of the exhibits. It was only there I discovered that my dad led a squadron of B-26s on D-Day attacking Nazi gun emplacements only minutes before the infantry landed on Utah Beach."
As it turns out the father Dewhurst never knew was a highly decorated World War II bomber pilot and among the long list of unsung heroes from the D-Day campaign.
It was an incredibly emotional experience to come face-to-face with details about dads life and his service during the war" Dewhurst says. He and his brave crew are outstanding examples of why we still call them the greatest generation."
Born and raised in Houston the future lieutenant governor of Texas learned to overcome challenges by taking them head on. As a child he stuttered. So he joined the debate team at Lamar High School and with practice learned to overcome his speech impediment.
His hardworking mother who raised two young sons on the single income she earned as a secretary didnt have much money to send either of the boys to college. But with solid grades and a good jump-shot the 65 Dewhurst earned a spot on the basketball team at the University of Arizona where he also earned his bachelors degree.
Unfortunately Arizona retired my jersey after two years but not my number" Dewhurst jokes. Nevertheless Im profoundly grateful for the education I received. Im a product of great public schools. I tell kids all over Texas to follow their dreams because there is no limit to what you can accomplish when you combine hard work with a good education."
At the height of the Cold War-Vietnam era Dewhurst dedicated his young adult life to serving his country first in the U.S. Air Force then in the CIA and later in the State Department. When he left government service he returned to Houston to begin his career in business.
In the early 1980s he started his own company but like so many other Texas businesses at the time he lost nearly everything when the oil and gas and real estate markets went bust.
For several years I worked for practically nothing to repay what I owed" says Dewhurst who gradually built back all that he lost and more to become a well-known businessman and civic leader in Houston.
Dewhurst gives much of the credit for his approach to public service to his mother. His first foray into politics was a run for Texas land commissioner in 1998.
After I made the decision to run for land commissioner I knew there was one special person I had to talk to: my mom" Dewhurst recalls. So I took her to lunch and when I told her my plans she said David have you completely lost your mind?"
He says she came around after he explained that his only interest was in helping others and making Texas a better place to work and live.
Okay you have my blessing" his mom told him so long as you promise me that every day youll fight for those who have no one else to fight for them." Its a promise Dewhurst says he has strived to keep ever since.
In 1999 Dewhurst became commissioner of the General Land Office (GLO) where he immediately put his business acumen to work this time for the people of Texas. In four years he reduced the budget at the GLO and actually sent money back to the legislature and Texas taxpayers not once but twice.
Over the same period he certified $1 billion in low-interest loans to Texas military veterans. As land commissioner Dewhurst was also in charge of protecting state lands coastal waters and estuaries a job he took very seriously.
Today the lieutenant governor is still following the advice he got from his mother more than a decade ago. The bleak jobs forecast resulting from the prolonged downturn in the U.S. economy has focused Dewhursts attention on the plight of the unemployed.
In February Dewhurst kicked off an innovative new jobs program called Texas Back to Work." Administered through the Texas Workforce Commission the program provides up to $2000 in bonuses and other financial incentives for businesses that hire unemployed Texans.
Despite the poor economy in the first half of 2010 Texas employers added 166100 new jobs and the states unemployment rate remains well below the national average.
Its better than other parts of the country but its little comfort to anyone who is currently out of work" Dewhurst says. For someone who is unemployed the unemployment rate is 100 percent."
Nonetheless Dewhurst says hes very pleased with the work the legislature has done during his tenure to promote a predictable business climate attract jobs and entice companies to relocate to Texas. And it seems to be working.
Were consistently recognized as the best place in America to do business" Dewhurst proudly points out. Next time youre in a parking lot just look at all the license plates from other states. Its not just companies. People from all over the United States are voting with their feet; nearly 1300 a day are moving to Texas."
According to the U.S. Census Bureau in just one year between July 2008 and July 2009 Texas gained 478012 new residents almost 100000 more than the second-place state California.
Texas is clearly the best place to live work and raise a family" the lieutenant governor says. Were the land of opportunity. But with these opportunities comes a unique set of challenges for example improving public and higher education ensuring public safety maintaining our transportation systems and providing clean water and clean energy for our rapidly growing population."
True to his lifetime commitment to public service and penchant for problem-solving the lieutenant governor stands ready to meet these future challenges by drawing on the breadth and depth of his experience as a successful businessman and as one of the states most influential policy makers.
Dewhurst readily admits that his public service is far less profitable compared to what he could be earning in the private sector. But for him the personal satisfaction he gets from serving the people of Texas is far more rewarding.
For more information about Texas Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst visit www.DavidDewhurst.com.
