City honors fallen veterans at Memorial Day Service
Hundreds attended Grand Prairie’s annual Memorial Day Service at Veteran Memorial Park.
Continue reading " City honors fallen veterans at Memorial Day Service" »
Powered by
Movable Type 3.2ysb5-20051201
Movable Type 3.2ysb5-20051201
« April 2010 | Main | June 2010 »
May 31, 2010
NAACP calls for emergency school board meeting
Grand Prairie Branch President Angela Luckey, Rev. Denny Davis, and concerned citizens called on the Grand Prairie Independent School District Board of Trustees to hold an emergency meeting to address the removal of Grand Prairie High School Principal Joseph Showell and issues involving other African American principals and employees.
Continue reading "NAACP calls for emergency school board meeting" »
May 30, 2010
Cordis Brown celebrates 100th birthday
Friends and family from across the nation came to St. John Church Saturday to celebrate Cordis Brown’s 100th birthday.
The longtime Dalworth community resident, affectingly known as “mother dear” to her family, is noted for her tireless community work with her church, family, and supporting her husband of 79 years, Sam Brown, with his volunteer work and community activism.
Perry bats in game winning RBI, AirHogs scratch Cats 5-4
By Travis L. Brown
The AirHogs edged out the win on a flying chalk, pinch hit line drive down the third base line by Robert Perry, sealing the 5-4 victory in walk off fashion. With the win, the AirHogs extend their first place lead to three games over the second place Shreveport-Bossier Captains.
Perry, hitting for Thomas Incaviglia, added to his league top-five batting average and scored Chad Gabriel from second to claim the win.
Continue reading "Perry bats in game winning RBI, AirHogs scratch Cats 5-4" »
May 29, 2010
Warriors close spring drills with scrimmage
Prihoda lifts AirHogs over Cats 3-1
By Greg Goffinet
Luke Prihoda allowed only four hits over seven innings and David Espinosa belted his first home run of the season to lead the Grand Prairie AirHogs to a 3-1 victory over the Fort Worth Cats Friday night at QuikTrip Park.
The win was Grand Prairie’s third straight and gave the Southern Division leading AirHogs a 9-5 record. Fort Worth fell to 6-8.
May 28, 2010
NAACP questions principal’s suspension
Angela Luckey, president of the Grand Prairie NAACP, is demanding answers from the Grand Prairie ISD as to why a high school principal is currently suspended.
At a news conference held outside Grand Prairie High School Friday morning, Luckey said Grand Prairie High School Principal Joseph Showell was placed on administrative leave two weeks ago and the district has not given a reason for its action. She questioned the leadership of school superintendent Dr. Susan Simpson over the suspension of the popular principal saying Showell has improved TAKS scores, boosted moral and school spirit of the students.
May 27, 2010
AirHogs soar over Captains 8-2
By Travis L. Brown
The Grand Prairie AirHogs stretched their first-place lead over the Shreveport-Bossier Captains with an 8-2 win on Thursday night, scoring four of their eight runs on sacrifice flies.
The first runs were plated in the first at the hand of a Greg Porter base-hit RBI, followed by a Juan Camacho sacrifice pop fly well out of the infield, scoring the second run of the game.
In the second, Joe Spiers sent another sac-fly into the outfield, scoring Ben Patralli to make it 3-1. Catcher Flint Wipke followed the trend sending one deep into the park, scoring a fourth AirHog run.
City offers free lunch program for kids
The city of Grand Prairie will sponsor the 2010 Summer Lunch Program for children 18 years old and younger. The free lunches will be served on weekdays from June 7 – Aug. 20. Meals will be served from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., Monday – Friday, on a first-come basis while each day’s supply lasts. Lunches must be consumed on site. No proof of residence or registration forms will be required.
Free lunches, administered through the Parks and Recreation Department, will be served at the following sites:
Continue reading "City offers free lunch program for kids" »
May 26, 2010
Espinosa delivers in the 9th, Airhogs top Captains 3-2
By Travis L. Brown
Delivering a walk-off base-hit in the bottom of the ninth, American Association batting leader David Espinosa shot a liner into right field scoring the go-ahead run from second and ending the AirHogs’ two-game skid in front of a Wednesday afternoon crowd of 5,169.
Both starters put up quality starts—Captains pitcher Justin Young pitched 7 innings giving up one run on five hits, while ‘Hogs starter Jarod Plummer went 6.2 innings giving up two runs on six hits, striking out two.
Continue reading "Espinosa delivers in the 9th, Airhogs top Captains 3-2" »
Grand Prairie falls to Shreveport 6-4
By Travis L. Brown
The AirHogs dropped their second game in a row Tuesday this time to the Shreveport-Bossier Captains by the score of 6-4. ‘Hogs starter James Paxton went 3.1 innings allowing five earned runs and struck out three.
The Captains opened the scoring in the top of the third scoring four, three of which came off a three run shot to left field by Palmer Karr Jr. AirHogs second baseman Joe Spiers answered in the bottom of the third with a homer deep onto the cigar bar outside of left field of QuikTrip Park scoring Grand Prairie’s first run of the game.
May 25, 2010
Library announces summer events
The Grand Prairie Libraries offer a summer reading program for children, teens, and adults. The Challenge begins on Monday, June 7. Visit your local branch to register and get started with your reading log.
Throughout the summer, libraries will feature movies and programs free of charge. The number of participants and age level may be limited in some programs; otherwise, seating will be available on a first-come basis. Daycares and large groups should call ahead to see if they can be accommodated.
Children's movies schedule:
New Brush Pickup Fees Effective July 1
Beginning July 1, new brush pickup fees become effective. City brush crews travel the city from north to south every month picking up your brush that has been hauled to the curb.
Once a month, crews will pick up 5 cubic yards (about the size of a small subcompact car) or less of brush for free. Second pickups, out of schedule pickups and oversized pickups will be $85 for each five cubic yards of brush. Following natural disasters, the fees will be waived as reasonable. The fees are added to your next water bill.
May 24, 2010
Greg Porter named Batter of the Week
Pointstreak, the official statistician of the American Association, has named the AirHogs’ Greg Porter last week’s Pointstreak Batter of the Week.
Porter hit .423 with two home runs and 10 RBI in six games for Grand Prairie. The Keller, TX resident also scored seven runs, collected 11 hits and had a slugging percentage of .769. Porter went five-for-six in Saturday’s game with 5 RBIs against the Pensacola Pelicans, hitting one out of the park for his second home of the season.
“Jockeys & Java” at Lone Star Park premieres May 29
Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie announced it’s “Jockeys & Java,” an opportunity for everyone to watch hundreds of horses as they go through their morning workouts and enjoy a delicious, free breakfast of Chef Jake’s breakfast burritos, Danish, coffee and juice in the Courtyard of Champions.
Visitors learn about what happens behind the scenes at Lone Star Park with Track Announcer John Lies, who will host the morning workouts and talk with special guests, including jockeys, trainers and some of the people that have the most important jobs at the racetrack. Among Lies' guests for the opening program on May 29 at 8:30 a.m. will be world renown jockey Aaron Grader, who is riding his first meet at Lone Star Park this year, and award-winning Star-Telegram racing writer Gary West.
Continue reading "“Jockeys & Java” at Lone Star Park premieres May 29" »
May 23, 2010
The Summit - Open House
Grand Prairie ISD Trustee Chester McCrary said in 2008at the ground breaking for Dubiski Career High School that it is “one of the crown jewels” of the district. On Saturday, the national award winning Grand Prairie Parks and Recreation held an open house for its “crown jewel,” The Summit.
More than 4,000 visitors toured this incredible 60,000 square foot facility for those 50 years and older. Located in beautiful Central Park, the $23 million Summit offers amenities found nowhere else for seniors.
May 22, 2010
Chamber's Games of Grand Prairie
Grand Prairie Chamber of Commerce's 2nd annual Games of Grand Prairie.
May 21, 2010
Firefighters Fill-the-Boot
Watch for Grand Prairie firefighters at major intersections throughout the city this weekend accepting donations for Jerry’s Kids – Muscular Dystrophy Association fundraiser.
May 20, 2010
Suspect’s arrest puts Johnson Elementary on lockdown
Johnson Elementary School, 650 Stonewall, was put on lockdown for about an hour and a half Wednesday morning as Grand Prairie Police SWAT team negotiated the surrender of a suspect who fled into her home, across the street from the school.
The incident began around 8:15 a.m. when police were called to an auto-pedestrian accident at Gregory and Grenoble. There police learned the victim, Jennifer Meza, had been struck by a car driven by her mother, Gloria Barreda.
Continue reading "Suspect’s arrest puts Johnson Elementary on lockdown" »
May 19, 2010
Breast Ride Ever – charity motorcycle ride
Twenty-eight women wearing pink shirts and driving motorcycles of all shapes and sizes left Grand Prairie Wednesday morning on the next leg of a 1,500 mile journey to raise money for the Susan G. Komen Foundation for breast cancer research.
The ride that began in Lawton, Oklahoma on Monday makes stops in San Antonio, Odessa, Lubbock, Wichita Falls, and Oklahoma City before returning to Lawton on Sunday.
Continue reading "Breast Ride Ever – charity motorcycle ride" »
‘Hogs take Explorers to school during education day at QuikTrip Park
By Travis L. Brown
AirHogs starting pitcher James Paxton had a noteworthy start Wednesday, tallying his first professional win against the Sioux City Explorers by the score of 7-5, in front of a day-game crowd of nearly 4,000 school children on the AirHogs 3rd Annual “Education Day.”
In six innings, Paxton gave up one run in a one hit effort. Shortstop David Espinosa continued his offensive tear, going 2-3 and bringing his season average up to .479.
The AirHogs began the scoring in the bottom of the third, tallying four after getting a runner picked off second. Paxton went through four innings without giving up a single hit, until Ray Serrano of the Explorers knocked a flare into left.
Continue reading "‘Hogs take Explorers to school during education day at QuikTrip Park" »
May 17, 2010
City receives grant for community garden
On Thursday, the UPS Foundation awarded Grand Prairie a $10,000 community improvement grant that will partner Keep Grand Prairie Beautiful with the Shady Grove Church, 2404 N. Carrier Pkwy, to build a new Shady Grove Orchard and Community Garden.
Tammy Chan, Keep Grand Prairie Beautiful Coordinator, said with the grant money and help from local Eagle Scouts, a 40 raised bed garden with water outlest and a shed will be built at the church. Food grown in the raised beds will either be kept by the participating gardeners or donated to People That Care, a local food ministry.
Continue reading "City receives grant for community garden" »
May 16, 2010
Preakness winning jockey to ride at Lone Star Park on Memorial Day
Martin Garcia who rode the Bob Baffert trained Lookin at Lucky to a win in Saturday’s Preakness Stakes at Pimlico in Maryland, is scheduled to ride another Baffert trained thoroughbred in Lone Star Park’s Grade 3, $300,000 Lone Star Park Handicap on Memorial Day, May 31.
The trainer-jockey combination has already teamed up to win the first two Lone Star Park graded stakes races in 2010, the Texas Mile on April 24 with Mythical Powers and the Lone Star Derby on May 8 with Game on Dude.
Continue reading "Preakness winning jockey to ride at Lone Star Park on Memorial Day" »
Grand Prairie issues three-game sweep to visiting Pensacola
By Greg Goffinet
Robert Perry’s RBI double in the bottom of the ninth inning lifted the Grand Prairie AirHogs to a 4-3 victory over the Pensacola Pelicans Sunday in front of 2,836 fans at QuikTrip Park. Perry’s double scored Aaron Garza, who hit the game-tying RBI double moments earlier.
The victory gave the AirHogs a season-opening three-game sweep of the Pelicans. Two of the victories were recorded in the AirHogs’ last at-bat, including a walk-off win in the 13th inning in the season opener.
Pensacola broke a 2-2 tie in the top of the ninth on Francisco Leandro’s RBI single but in the bottom of the ninth, Grand Prairie’s Juan Camacho led with a single. Camacho raced all the way to third when the ball skipped past Pensacola left fielder Joey Side.
Continue reading "Grand Prairie issues three-game sweep to visiting Pensacola" »
‘Hogs fly over Pelicans 10-7
By Travis L. Brown
Chad Gabriel led the Grand Prairie AirHogs over the Pensacola Pelicans with a four-RBI effort in a 10-7 win Saturday night at QuikTrip Park.
Gabriel went two-for-three on the night driving in four of the AirHogs runs. The first of Gabriel’s two hits came in the bottom of the third when he floated a single over the second baseman’s head into right scoring two. Then, in the bottom of the fifth, Gabriel hit a hard grounder between the shortstop and third baseman which would also bring in two.
Grand Prairie came out hot in the bottom of the first scoring two off a double and a single.
May 15, 2010
12th annual Mayfest at Kirby Creek Park
AirHogs opener suspended after 12 – to resume Saturday at 6 PM
The Grand Prairie AirHogs scored 2 runs in the ninth inning on an error by Pensacola’s third baseman John Alonso tying the score at four, sending Friday night’s home opener at QuikTrip Park into extra innings.
After once again falling behind, the AirHogs scored two runs in the 12th on Flint Wipke's triple, tying the game and sending it to be continued Saturday at 6:00 p.m. League rules prohibits the start of an inning after midnight.
Friday’s rain caused the game’s first pitch to be moved back to 7:20 p.m. in order for the grounds crew to prepare the wet field for play.
Continue reading "AirHogs opener suspended after 12 – to resume Saturday at 6 PM" »
May 14, 2010
Uptown introduces new season
Grand Prairie’s historic Uptown Theater introduced its 2010-2011 season at a reception held Thursday night at the theater.
Uptown manager Elspeth McDonald said the new season promises to be exciting, bringing three off Broadway productions from New York to the Uptown stage.
“We’re thrilled to be able to have theatrical productions of that caliber here in Grand Prairie,” McDonald said.
Two alarm fire heavily damages home
Grand Prairie firefighters battled a stubborn fire Thursday afternoon that heavily damaged a large home in the 1500 block of SE 14th.
Fire crews were called to the house around 4:30 and found a garage engulfed in flames. The fire spread to the main portion of the house, heavily damaging the structure.
May 13, 2010
Lion's Club hosts Law Enforcement Appreciation Day
With a forty year tradition of honoring members of the Grand Prairie Police Department, the Grand Prairie Host Lion’s Club held its annual Law Enforcement Appreciation Day Thursday at the Ruthe Jackson Center.
Five officers and one civilian were recognized for their work and dedication:
Continue reading "Lion's Club hosts Law Enforcement Appreciation Day" »
May 12, 2010
July at the Uptown - Summer in the Arts 2010
The Grand Prairie Arts Council announced a full month of Arts programming for children and teens ages 5 through 18 – July at the Uptown, Summer in the Arts.
Developed to inspire a child’s creative side, the summer program is open to children ages 5-18. The weeklong daytime workshops run throughout the week and culminate with finale performances and exhibits.
Continue reading "July at the Uptown - Summer in the Arts 2010" »
Grand Prairie Wellness Center receives grant for dental program
The Grand Prairie Wellness Center was awarded a $20,000 grant from the Catholic Foundation of Dallas to assist with the center’s Dental Program for six months. A portion of this grant was made possible by a distribution from the R. Cardis and Grace DeLee Stubbs Foundation Fund. In addition to the funding, the foundation will prepare a special publicity brochure with color photos for the center to use with its patients and donors. This award was part of over $1 Million distributed to area charities by The Catholic Foundation of Dallas in spring 2010.
Since it's opening in November 2001, the center—located at 1710 Small Street, Grand Prairie, Texas-- has served thousands of low-income families with quality medical and dental services and a total of $2.70 Million in medical and dental services. The needs continue to grow each year.
Continue reading "Grand Prairie Wellness Center receives grant for dental program" »
Congressman Marchant presents awards to outstanding students
 |
| Submitted photo |
U.S. Congressman Kenny Marchant (TX – 24) presented awards on May 11 to students from Euless and Grand Prairie Harmony Science Academies. The students were recognized in the Congressman’s district office for their high achievements in state-wide science competitions.
The Congressman awarded each student with a certificate of Congressional recognition. After being awarded, each student described to the Congressman the details of their science projects.
Continue reading "Congressman Marchant presents awards to outstanding students" »
May 11, 2010
Auto accident kills lawn maintenance worker
View Auto-pedestrian in a larger map
An auto-pedestrian accident that occurred at about 9:50 Tuesday morning, killed an employee of a commercial lawn maintenance firm as he worked in the 3100 block of England Parkway.
Francisco Lara, 35, an employee with Metheny Commercial Lawn Maintenance, was standing in the roadway, removing debris from the street with a blower when he was struck by a 2000 Honda Accord that was traveling westbound.
Lara was taken by helicopter ambulance to Parkland Hospital in Dallas where he died at 10:47 a.m.
The driver of the Honda, Kendel Snipes, 18, of Grand Prairie, was not injured.
Sergeant Eric Hansen, Traffic Division said investigators determined that Lara was standing outside of a protected work zone at the time he was struck.
Continue reading "Auto accident kills lawn maintenance worker" »
Police Memorial Service - last at police station
Monday marked the end of an era for the Grand Prairie Police Department as the last Police Memorial Day service was held at the Lyndon King Police headquarters building. The Police Department moves into its new building near Arkansas and SH 161 in June.
Dozens gathered in front of the Police Headquarters to honor police officers that have been killed in the line of duty including Grand Prairie officers Lyndon King who was killed March 1, 1982 while investigating an accident on Interstate 30 and Sergeant Gregory Hunter who was gunned down on June 18, 2004 in the Wal-Mart parking lot.
Continue reading "Police Memorial Service - last at police station" »
AirHogs opener Friday night
The Grand Prairie AirHogs launch their third season of baseball action and wacky promotional entertainment May 14 against the Pensacola Pelicans. Festivities begin at 5:30 p.m. and first pitch slated for 7:05 p.m.
OPENING NIGHT! Friday, May 14th vs. Pensacola Pelicans
Live Music starts @ 5:30 p.m. – Performance by Cherisse
2010 Magnet Schedule Giveaway to the first 1,500 fans
Jump Castles & Inflatable Playgrounds located on the main plaza
Clowns, face painters, jugglers and on‐field performers
Pre-game performance by 6‐year‐old Michael Jackson impersonator
Ceremonial first pitch by NFL Hall‐of‐Famer Charley Taylor
May 09, 2010
Fregoe and McCrary win election
Richard Fregoe was re-elected to another term as the District 4 Grand Prairie City Council Member getting 222 votes to Jeffrey Sodoma's 68 votes in Saturday's election.
Chester McCrary was also re-elected to another term on the Grand Prairie Indepedent School Board of Trustees, Place 2, winning over Chatherine Dismore 518 to 424.
May 08, 2010
Bob Baffert earns fourth victory in Lone Star’s biggest race for three-year-olds
Lanni Family Trust, Mercedes Stable LLC, and Bernard Schiappa’s Game On Dude, trained by Bob Baffert, proved to be too much for his opponents in the 14th running of the Grade 3, $200,000 Lone Star Derby over a fast track at Lone Star Park on Saturday.
With Southern California rider Martin Garcia in for the ride, Game On Dude was patiently handled behind opening fractions of 22.87, 46.34 and 1:11.03. The bay son of 1998 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Awesome Again then made a bold bid for the lead at the quarter-pole, and after taking command at the top of the stretch, held off a mild, late challenge from the Steve Asmussen-trained Crider though the stretch to win going away by 4 ½ lengths. The final time for the 1 1/16-miles journey was 1:44.61. Crider stayed on to finish second, and it was another 3 ½ lengths back to Henshin Hero in third.
Relay for Life - find a cure
May 07, 2010
Church hosts National Day of Prayer service
“Prayer has been an integral part of the United States of America even before we were a nation,” Pastor Joe Oakley said as he opened the National Day of Prayer service Thursday night at Grace Fellowship Church. He added, “Our founding fathers knew the power of prayer.”
Continue reading "Church hosts National Day of Prayer service" »
May 06, 2010
Science academy students win gold at Science Olympiad
A group of students from Harmony Science Academy Grand Prairie Campus recently took part in the Texas Science Olympiad held April 23-24 at College Station, Teams and captured gold medals in two events, fourth in a third.
The group of fifteen students was divided into two-man teams that competed in 20 separate events.
Continue reading "Science academy students win gold at Science Olympiad" »
Chamber hosts ribbon cutting at Fast Armadillo
The Grand Prairie Chamber of Commerce’s Branding Irons hosted a grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony for Fast Armadillo at its office located at beautiful QuickTrip Park.
Fast Armadillo is a web and marketing solutions company specialized in creating highly functional yet easy-to-use web-sites for businesses and non-profit organizations alike.
Continue reading "Chamber hosts ribbon cutting at Fast Armadillo" »
May 05, 2010
Jonathan Guzman named city employee of the month
Jonathan Guzman a Utility Crew Leader in the Public Works Department was recognized Tuesday night at the Grand Prairie City Council meeting as the employee of the month for May.
Guzman joined the city in 2008 as a Utility Maintenance worker after many years experience from Puerto Rico, Georgia and California.
Continue reading "Jonathan Guzman named city employee of the month" »
AirHogs media day - new season
Listen to an interview with AirHogs manager Pete Incaviglia as he talks about the 2010 team and upcoming season.
May 04, 2010
Shattered Dreams – drunk driving accident enactment at Grand Prairie High
With Grand Prairie High School’s prom only a few days away, students got to see first-hand the lasting effects of driving and drinking.
On Monday hundreds of students watched as police, firefighters, paramedics, and student actors reenacted a fatal automobile accident in the school parking lot.
Continue reading "Shattered Dreams – drunk driving accident enactment at Grand Prairie High" »
May 02, 2010
Soroptimist Girls of the Year
In a ceremony held Saturday, the Soroptimist Club announced its selection of Girls of the Year for their outstanding character, community service and leadership, awarding them a $1,000 scholarship:
Rebecca Steele, South Grand Prairie High School
Dezerea Williams, Grand Prairie High School
National Day of Prayer service
On May 6, Grace Fellowship Church, 1690 Polo Road, will host Grand Prairie’s National Day of Prayer service from 7-8 p.m.
The National Day of Prayer is an annual observance held on the first Thursday of May, inviting people of all faiths to pray for the nation. It was created in 1952 by a joint resolution of the United States Congress, and signed into law by President Harry S. Truman.
May 01, 2010
Cinco de Mayo – city’s largest festival
Cinco de Mayo, the all day festival was held Saturday at City Hall Plaza. The annual event started with a parade along Main Street that featured more 1,400 participants and the family oriented event ended at City Hall Plaza with entertainment, food and games.
Gloria Carrillo, Cinco de Mayo Committee member said through the help of the City of Grand Prairie, the Grand Prairie ISD and the many sponsors, Cinco de Mayo has become the city’s largest festival.
Continue reading "Cinco de Mayo – city’s largest festival" »
Chamber offers business seminar series
This month the Grand Prairie Chamber of Commerce begins the Tom Hart Business Series featuring Grand Prairie’s City Manager Tom Hart.
Open to all Grand Prairie business and Chamber members, the first in the series of seminars begins May 27 at the Chamber office, 900 Conover Dr.
Math and Science education key to future American innovation
By U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison
Science and technology are at the core of America ’s ability to compete in an increasingly globalized economy and to solve many of the challenges we face as a nation in energy independence, biotechnology, communications and healthcare.
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics education, or STEM education, plays an essential role in fostering further development of today’s innovation-based economy. Unfortunately, several recent studies caution that a danger exists that Americans may not be versed enough in these STEM fields to significantly contribute to, or benefit fully from, the knowledge-based society that is taking shape all around us.
In Texas , only 41 percent of high school graduates are ready for college-level math (algebra), and only 24 percent are ready for college-level science (biology). Furthermore, only two percent of all U.S. 9th-grade boys and one percent of girls will go on to attain an undergraduate science or engineering degree. Contrast these troubling numbers to China , where 42% of all college undergraduates earn science or engineering degrees.
As nations like China and India invest strategically in STEM education for their students, the United States must assess whether its education system can meet the demands of the 21st Century. If we fail to address these challenges, we risk compromising the development of the next generation of American scientists, technologists, engineers, and mathematicians, making it more difficult for us to address persistent national problems.
I believe that a solid foundation for a scientifically literate workforce begins with developing outstanding K-12 teachers in science and mathematics. Unfortunately, today there is such a shortage of highly qualified K-12 teachers that many of the nation’s school districts have hired uncertified or under qualified teachers.
Statistics also demonstrate that a large percentage of middle and high school mathematics and science teachers are teaching outside their own primary fields of study.
While a United States high school student has a 70% likelihood of being taught English by a teacher with a degree in English, that high school student has only about a 40% chance of studying chemistry with a teacher who was a chemistry major.
Those statistics are unacceptable and they are also unnecessary. We can and must do better to encourage programs that increase the number of teachers in STEM fields who are certified to teach in those areas.
I am pleased that the University of Texas has been a leader in this area and has a model program that combats this problem by effectively combining undergraduate degrees in the STEM fields with teacher certification, through electives.
Beginning in 1997, the UTeach program has become the national benchmark for teaching excellence and has been mentioned in several high profile reports, including the National Academies’ “Rising above the Gathering Storm” report.
The Exxon-Mobil Foundation established the National Science and Math Initiative (NMSI), to help fund proven programs, such as UTeach, in America ’s schools. The NMSI’s goal is to positively impact America ’s public schools by replicating national programs that have documented success in math and science education.
I will soon introduce legislation that will create a national program to encourage colleges and universities to adopt the UTeach program to recruit and prepare science, technology, engineering, and mathematics majors to become certified as elementary and secondary school teachers.
In addition to increasing the number of certified teachers in STEM fields, we must also improve the K-12 curricula in the science and math fields because domestic and world economies increasingly depend on these areas of knowledge. Primary and secondary schools are failing to produce enough students with the interest, motivation, knowledge, and skills they will need to succeed in the 21st Century’s global economy.
I think we can make America even more competitive and innovative than it is today. We can and we must—our future is at stake.
Kay Bailey Hutchison is the senior U.S. Senator from Texas and is the Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Saluting Texas Peace Officers
By U.S. Sen. John Cornyn
On May 13, during National Police Week, the names of more than 300 fallen law enforcement officers will be dedicated on the walls of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C. The monument, formally dedicated in 1981, pays tribute to federal, state and local law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty. Different from other national memorials, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial changes every spring, when new names are added to honor those killed in the previous year, as well as officers killed in years past whose information was only recently made available.
Of this year’s 324 names, more than 50 individuals are from Texas, including 10 officers killed in the line of duty in 2009. As Texans, it is a fitting time for us to consider the many contributions and sacrifices our law enforcement officers have made to keep us and our families safe and secure.
I recently had the privilege of meeting with a group of law enforcement officers in El Paso – men and women who are working around the clock under particularly unique and difficult challenges along our southern border. From school police to Texas Rangers and the El Paso Chief of Police – I heard directly from these individuals on the real security threats that exist for Texans in connection with cartel and gang-related violence in Mexico. The threat of spillover violence has become a fact of life for many families and business owners who live along the Texas-Mexico border. More than ever, our border law enforcement is in need of additional personnel as well as the latest technology and tools they need to carry out their jobs and secure the region. With their valuable input, I was pleased to introduce legislation that would fast-track new funding directly to law enforcement within 100 miles of our southern border. The Southern Border Security Assistance Act would create a $300 million border grant program to quickly secure additional hires, new equipment, and upgrades to critical information systems.
As the former Attorney General of Texas, I learned firsthand the challenges our law enforcement officers in Texas face, and that insight has helped me determine several legislative priorities as your U.S. Senator. During my career in the Senate, I’ve supported a number of efforts to support our law enforcement officers and their families. I introduced the Daniel Faulkner Law Enforcement Officers and Judges Protection Act, which would curb frivolous lawsuits against police officers and impose mandatory sentences for crimes against federal law enforcement officers. I also cosponsored the Gang Abatement and Prevention Act, which would establish new, tougher penalties to deter and punish members of street gangs. It would provide more than $1 billion in funding for gang enforcement, prevention and intervention programs. I also continue to support the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program to reimburse Texas communities for the cost of incarcerating criminal illegal aliens. Immigration reform is the obligation of the federal government, and Texas communities shouldn’t have to foot the bill for the government’s failures.
From policemen and women to sheriffs, constables, detention officers and game wardens—Texas peace officers are widely respected for their skill and professionalism. They work tirelessly to pursue criminals and protect Texans, whether it’s in the inner-cities of some of the country’s largest metropolitan areas like Houston and Dallas, or across the miles of rural Texas terrain. They secure our schools, airports, highways and parks, and they are often the first to respond to natural disasters, emergencies and terrorism threats.
Sadly, peace officers face daily dangers in their line of work, which sometimes lead to tragic consequences. While we can never express enough gratitude for their heroism and sacrifice, each of us can do our part to show Texas law enforcement and their families our support and respect.
During this year’s National Police Week I hope we can offer a Texas-sized “thank you” to our law enforcement community and take the time to remember the heroes who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on our behalf.
Sen. Cornyn serves on the Finance, Judiciary, Agriculture, and Budget Committees. He serves as the top Republican on the Judiciary Committee's Immigration, Refugees and Border Security subcommittee. He served previously as Texas Attorney General, Texas Supreme Court Justice, and Bexar County District Judge
Drug Cartel Violence Should be a National Priority
By U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison
The escalating drug violence on our Southern Border is a matter of national security on so many levels -- and our response to the situation must be a national priority.
Texas and Mexico share a 1,200 mile border. We are intertwined in many ways--in trade, families and tourism. Drug violence has a profound effect on both sides of the border.
The violence that is jolting Ciudad Juarez , Nuevo Laredo , and other cities along the U.S.-Mexico border is reminiscent of the days of the Colombian Cali and Medellin Drug Cartels. While the violence then was indescribable, it is even worse today. What makes today’s drug cartel violence even more disturbing is that it is happening right on our doorstep.
The Mexican Juarez, Gulf, and Sinaloa Cartels, among others, are operating with impunity across half of Mexico , including along our border. The drug-related violence is responsible for nearly 23,000 deaths in Mexico since 2006. Last year alone, there were nearly 10,000 deaths, and in just the first quarter of this year, there have already been 3,300 killings, including the murders of American embassy employees and their family members. No one is immune from the carnage. We must protect our borders to ensure that our citizens are not caught in the crossfire of the drug wars.
This problem must be addressed at the federal level. Certainly increased resources are needed for state and local law enforcement in our border communities. I have cosponsored legislation with my fellow Texas Senator, John Cornyn, to provide resources to protect our communities from the escalating drug violence.
We are calling on the Administration to immediately formulate an action plan, with long- and short-term measures to deal with the increasing drug-cartel violence south of the border. We should be looking at interim measures like temporarily deploying additional resources to affected regions to better protect communities and minimize disruptions to travel and trade. The different federal agencies need to get out of their bureaucratic silos and operate in a collaborative manner—a lesson we should have learned from 9/11.
Senator Cornyn and I are also pushing for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to patrol our border regions to help law enforcement track these criminal activities. We have been working to resolve jurisdictional issues between the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Customs and Border Patrol to get the deployment of additional Predator drone flights up in air as soon as possible. I have received assurances from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that they will work with us to free up airspace to allow these flights.
We are all less secure because of this kind of violence – organized crime is emboldened, lives are being lost, and drug-trafficking organizations are taking root in our communities. Guns, drugs, money, and people are being smuggled. But the issue is not confined to our border communities. Violent crime linked to the Mexican drug cartels are being seen in Dallas and Houston—and in cities throughout the rest of the country as well. This issue impacts the entire nation and must be dealt with as a national security priority.
Kay Bailey Hutchison is the senior U.S. Senator from Texas and is the Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
