80th Legislative Session

Child Nutrition | Border Wall | Kenneth Foster| Cathy Henderson | Advance Directives; SB 439 | Comprehensive Immigration Reform| Testimony on HB 3474| Testimony on Human Trafficking| Testimony on Embryonic Stem Cell Research|Bishop Vann's Testimony on Right to Life| Archbishop Gomez's Testimony on School Choice| Bishop Tamayo's Testimony on Immigration | Testimony on Human Trafficking Hotline| Testimony on the Children’s Health Insurance Program| Letter to House of Representatives on Jessica's Law| Letter on Elder Care | Testimony on School Choice

TCC Submits Public Testimony on Child Nutrition

The Bishops of Texas are concerned about the health and welfare of all Texans, especially the poor and vulnerable. The Gospel is clear in calling us to feed the hungry and we operate numerous food pantries and other food assistance programs throughout the state. Our assistance programs have recently become overwhelmed with the needs of the hungry and we are concerned that as companies in Texas adjust to the recession the need for food assistance will only grow. Click here to read more...


Field Hearing of the Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife and Oceans
Most Reverend Raymundo J. Peña
Bishop of the Diocese of Brownsville
April 28, 2008

Good Morning Mr. Chairman and good morning to all the members of the Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife and Oceans. I thank you for this opportunity to speak to you regarding this very important issue and I welcome you to our beautiful State of Texas and our home in the Rio Grande Valley. My name is Raymundo J. Peña and I am the Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brownsville. Our diocese operates one hundred and seven parishes and missions for the approximately eight hundred thousand Catholics who live in the Valley and we also serve the greater population of nine hundred and forty thousand through a shrine and retreat center, twelve parochial schools, five centers for social services, three homes for the aged, and religious education programs at all parishes and missions...click here to read more.. 
 

Letter on Behalf of Kenneth Foster

Dear Governor Perry, 

 On behalf of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, I urge you to recommend clemency for Kenneth Foster who is scheduled to be executed on August 30, 2007.  Although Mr. Foster did not murder, intend to murder, or know that a murder was to take place, he was sentenced to death under the "law of parties” for the murder of Michael LaHood.  I have tremendous sympathy for the family of Mr. LaHood and in no way wish to downplay the suffering they have endured as a result of his death. But my faith tradition also compels me to ask for mercy for Kenneth Foster...click here to read more.. 

Click here for Archbishop DiNardo's clemency letter for Kenneth Foster.

June 11, 2007

The Honorable Rick Perry
Governor’s Office
P.O. Box 12428
Austin, Texas 78711

Dear Governor Perry:

On behalf of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston and on behalf of the Diocese of Austin, we urge you to recommend clemency for Cathy Henderson who is scheduled to be executed on June 13, 2007. Ms. Henderson was sentenced to death in 1995 for the murder of a three-and-a-half-month-old baby, Brandon Baugh. ...click here to read more

Click here for a PDF of this letter

May 21, 2007

Dear Members of the House of Representatives,

Re: Advance Directives; SB 439

The Texas Catholic Conference and Catholic Health Association of Texas appreciate your consideration of the many bills related to revisions of the current Advance Directives Act, Chapter 166. ...click here to read more

Click here for a PDF of this document.

May 9, 2007

Dear Texas Senators:

The 24 Roman Catholic Bishops of Texas wish to ask for your support for comprehensive immigration reform legislation, which may soon be considered by the Senate.

In our view, any comprehensive immigration reform legislation must include: 

• a viable path to permanent residency for the undocumented population;
• a new worker program that includes appropriate worker protections, wage levels, and an opportunity to earn permanent residency;
• reductions in family reunification backlogs;
• the restoration of due process protections lost in the 1996 Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act (IIRIRA); and
• policies that address the root causes of migration, such as economic development in sending countries.

....click here to read more

Testimony on HB 3474

House Committee on Public Health

April 24, 2007

Last week we had a regular meeting and we discussed the House Bill 3474 in some detail, as well as some cases related to it. We voted very much in favor, unanimously in favor, and I would like to speak to that...click here to read more...

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON STATE AFFAIRS TEXAS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES APRIL 2, 2007 Most Reverend Kevin W. Vann Bishop of the Diocese of Fort Worth

Good afternoon Mr. Chairman and members of the Committee and thank you for letting me testify this afternoon. My name is Bishop Kevin Vann of the Diocese of Fort Worth and I am speaking today on behalf of the Roman Catholic Bishops of Texas. On behalf of the Bishops of Texas, I thank you for your public service.

Today the committee will be discussing a number of bills relating to the subject of the right to life. As pastors and teachers, we proclaim that human life is a precious gift from God; that each person who receives this gift has responsibilities toward God, themselves and others; and that society, through its laws and social institutions, must protect and nurture human life at every stage of its existence. These beliefs flow from ordinary reason and from our faith's constant witness that "life must be protected with the utmost care from the moment of conception"—a teaching that has been a constant part of the Christian message since the apostolic age. Since 1973, scientific developments have confirmed that at conception, a new human being, with unique genetic blueprint has been created...click here to read more

I thank you for this opportunity to present our concerns over education in the State of
Texas. Quality education is necessary for a person to live a productive and responsible
life, and to build a just society that respects the dignity of every human person.

I come to you to encourage you to support the parents of Texas whose right and
obligation is to provide the opportunity for a quality education for their children. I
believe, as the Council Fathers of Vatican II said in their document on Christian
education that parents "Must enjoy true liberty in their choice of schools”; and that they
must be "Truly free to choose according to their conscience the schools they want for
their children.” ...Click here to read more

Testimony of Bishop James Tamayo, Bishop of Laredo, Texas
Joint Hearing of State Affairs and Border & International Affairs
March 28, 2007

My name is Bishop James Tamayo and I am testifying today on behalf of the Roman Catholic Bishops of Texas.

The Catholic Church has a long history of involvement in the immigration issue, both in the advocacy arena and in welcoming and assimilating waves of immigrants and refugees who have helped build our nation throughout her history. Many Catholic immigration programs were involved in the implementation of the Immigration Reform and Control Act in 1986 and continue to work with immigrants today. We have a strong working relationship with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). There are currently immigration legal assistance service programs including refugee resettlement programs and shelters for victims of human trafficking and unaccompanied minors throughout Texas under the auspices of Catholic Charities and the Roman Catholic dioceses.

Our experience in working with immigrants throughout the years compels us to speak out on the issue of immigration reform, which we believe is a moral issue which impacts the human rights and human life of the person. The Church’s work in assisting migrants stems from the belief that every person is created in God’s image. In the Old Testament, God calls upon his people to care for the alien because of their own alien experience; "So, you, too, must befriend the alien, for you were once aliens yourselves in the land of Egypt” (Deut. 10:17-19). In the New Testament, the image of the migrants is grounded in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. In his own life and work, Jesus identified himself with newcomers and with other marginalized persons in a special way; "I was a stranger and you welcomed me” (Mt. 25:35). Jesus, as an infant, found himself as a refugee fleeing the terror of Herod (Mt. 2:15), and as an adult, Jesus was an itinerant preacher without a home of his own...Click here to read more

Re: Proposed Changes to Texas Advance Directives Act

April 18, 2007
Dear Representative Delisi:

The Catholic Health Association of Texas and the Texas Catholic Conference appreciate your consideration of the many bills related to revisions in the current Advance Directives Act, Chapter 166.

During the last year we have actively participated in the coalition called by the House Public Health Committee interim charge to review and recommend changes to the current law. After deep reflection and vigorous debate, we join with many other members of the coalition to make the following recommendations:

• Include nutrition and hydration as ordinary care;
• Change the definition of "irreversible condition;”
• Revise the process to provide better and more compassionate communication to the family; and
• Extend the period of time of transfer to a minimum of 21 days.

Representative Delisi’s HB 3474 embodies all of these concepts. She has studied the issues and understands them. Therefore, we SUPPORT HB 3474.

We believe that the patient and his or her family should be the first concern of any legislation impacting end-of-life care. Further, we believe that natural death with dignity is the primary goal of every individual and institution engaged in this process, and that issues related to the death experience are profoundly important not only to patients and families, but also to the healthcare professionals who are involved, and who want to provide the most compassionate care possible.

We would greatly appreciate your support. Please do not hesitate to call us if you have any questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Andrew Rivas Brenda A. Trolin

Executive Director Executive Director

Texas Catholic Conference Catholic Health Association of Texas

Testimony SB 1287: Human Trafficking Hotline Posting
March 27, 2007

My name is Jennifer Carr and I am testifying on behalf of the Texas Catholic Conference, the public policy voice of the Roman Catholic Bishops of Texas. We support SB 1287 because it would:

1. Increase community awareness and understanding of this crime.
2. Inform and assist trafficking victims of the possibility of rescue by posting a 1888 nationwide hotline; and
3. Warn traffickers who transport victims thru Texas or use Texas as a port of entry or destination point, that they will be prosecuted.

The Catholic Church is in a unique position to assist in efforts to end human trafficking through our extensive global network of churches and service organizations. Catholic Charities offices throughout Texas assist in providing services to victims of Human Trafficking. Our experience has taught us that victims do not identify themselves to authorities because of the psychological torture used by their traffickers. For example, one of the victims that we served stated that traffickers will provide their victims with a rosary and tell them to pray for their dead mothers. If a victim states that his or her mother isn’t dead, the trafficker threatens, "Well she will be if you try to escape.” Next, the trafficker shows the victims a video of neighbors or loved ones being tortured or murdered to ensure compliance.

Identifying victims requires community awareness and visibility of rescue hotline numbers in order to facilitate rescues. Most rescues come from community tips – posted signs will help raise awareness in the community. The majority of rescues that have taken place have occurred in establishments that serve alcohol. We support all efforts to educate and inform Texans about the horrific crime of human trafficking and resources available to assist victims.

Thank you for your support of SB 1287.

Click here for a PDF of this testimony

Testimony on the Children’s Health Insurance Program

The Texas Catholic Conference is the public policy voice of the 15 Roman Catholic Bishops of Texas. Through our ministries at Catholic Charities, Catholic hospitals and clinics throughout the state, and our practical parish experience serving the poor and middle class of Texas, we are concerned about the crisis of uninsured children in our state. We recognize that multiple bills have been filed to address declining numbers of use of the Children’s Health Insurance Program.

The Roman Catholic Bishops of Texas support passage of legislation that will:

• Implement 12 months continuous eligibility for CHIP and Children’s Medicaid
• Eliminate bureaucratic roadblocks to encourage personal responsibility and help low income families achieve self-sufficiency:

• Fix problems with the Integrated Eligibility System to prevent eligible kids from losing CHIP and Medicaid coverage
• Eliminate the CHIP asset test
• Eliminate the CHIP 90 day delay of coverage for uninsured children
• Deduct childcare and child support expenses when calculating income for CHIP.
• Provide adequate reimbursement for Medicaid and CHIP providers.
• Invest in outreach and education to ensure that all eligible children get the care that they need
• Ensure that the working poor who access both CHIP and Medicaid have access to affordable, quality healthcare.

Access to affordable, quality healthcare is a fundamental right for all children residing in Texas. We support efforts to ensure that all children are given the opportunity for a healthy start in life. Scripture teaches that God has a special concern for the poor and vulnerable. The Church calls on all of us to embrace this preferential option for the poor and vulnerable, to embody it in our lives, and to work to have it shape public policies and priorities. A fundamental measure of our society is how we care for and stand with the poor and vulnerable.

Click here for a PDF of this testimony

Letter to House of Representatives on Jessica's Law

As the Executive Director of the Texas Catholic Conference (TCC) and on behalf of the fifteen Bishops of our state, I am writing to convey the grave concerns we have regarding House Bill 8, commonly referred to as Jessica’s Law.

It is our understanding that the bill is scheduled for House consideration on second reading this Wednesday, February 28. While the TCC certainly supports the effort to protect our children from sexual predators we believe the bill goes too far in seeking to impose the death penalty for repeat offenders. As you know, the Bishops of Texas and the United States oppose the use of the death penalty in our country. Catholic teaching on capital punishment is quite clear: If non-lethal means are sufficient to defend human lives against an aggressor and to protect public order and the safety of persons, public authority should limit itself to such means, because they better correspond to the concrete conditions of the common good and are more in conformity with the dignity of the human person (Catechism of the Catholic Church).

Our Church fully believes that those who commit terrible violent crimes must be incarcerated, both as just punishment and in order to protect society. We stand in solidarity with victims and their loved ones. However, when it comes to matters of life and death, morality and common sense call for justice and careful safeguards. Therefore, we urge you to strike the provision in HB 8 that would impose the death penalty. Thank you for your careful consideration of this important matter and should you have any questions please contact me at your convenience.

Faithfully yours,

Andrew Rivas

Click here for a PDF of this testimony

Letter to Public Health and Health and Human Service Chairmen on Elder Care

February 21, 2007

Dear Chairman,

The Texas Catholic Conference actively works to protect the life and dignity of all human persons. We want to especially bring your attention to our concern for Texas’ elderly citizens and their caregivers.

Due to the high standard of living we enjoy in the United States, Americans are living longer and healthier lives than ever before. By 2030 it is expected that one in every five Americans will be 65 or older. Many of these elderly Americans are choosing to maintain independent lives in their homes with the support of personal assistants.

Personal assistants help the elderly with their daily tasks such as eating, dressing, bathing, and shopping. This relationship of reliance and trust, however, is threatened by Texas’ lenient background check standards...click here to read more

Click here for a PDF of this letter

Testimony on School Choice

Presented by Archbishop Joseph A. Fiorenza on behalf of Archbishop Daniel N. DiNardo

September 2006

Good afternoon Madam Chairwoman and committee members. It is a pleasure and an honor to be able to address this Committee today on an issue as important as school choice. In a state as culturally, economically, and geographically diverse as the state of Texas, there are a myriad of important issues demanding our attention everyday. However, there is no more important natural resource in the entire state of Texas than our children, all of our children, and the future of our state is dependent on their educational development.

The formation and education of children is a responsibility that begins with and primarily rests with parents. Parental involvement with their children’s education is a fundamental matter of critical importance that is too often undervalued by some in our society. Because of this importance, it is the proper role of government to respect the autonomy of parents and not duly interfere with their unique responsibility. In addition to the importance of parents and their concerns, society also has an interest in the education and the well being of children. It is in the best interests of all of us that future generations of children receive a good education that prepares them to be contributing members of society....click here to read more

Click here for a PDF of this testimony