TFCR Responds to Hurricane Ike

TFCR PRESS RELEASE - Growing concern over the impending impact of Hurricane Ike on the Texas Gulf Coast, has motivated the Texas Federation of College Republicans to initiate a massive volunteer recrutment effort to provide much needed manpower for relief efforts.

Launching Wednesday night, members of the TFCR were able to contact more than two thousand students and have recruited hundreds of volunteers in just a few short hours, utilizing mass communications platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and email. Initial efforts spiraled as students forwarded messages to friends, exponentially increasing the number of students that have been urged to volunteer.

In a statement Wednesday (Sept. 10), TFCR State Chairman Ryan Murphy said, "I couldn't be any prouder of our members across the state. They have stepped up to the plate in a huge way and it will definitely have a positive impact on countless lives. It's inspirational."

Reaching out to both Republicans and Democrats, they urged students to volunteer at local evacuation shelters, participate in nearby blood drives, and to contribute as little as $5 to the American Red Cross via the non-profit's text message donation program.

Explaining the necessity of the non-partisan component of this effort, Chairman Murphy stated, "When you have a hurricane like this threatening Texans, it doesn't matter whether someone is a Republican or a Democrat. What matters most is helping folks in their darkest hour." This is similar to the efforts taken by delegates at the Republican National Convention in Minneapolis last week.

The Texas Federation of College Republicans consists of 24 chapters at universities and colleges throughout the state, with more than 1,200 members statewide. It is an independent federal PAC, as well as an official auxiliary of the Republican Party of Texas.

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If you would like more information, or to schedule an interview, please call 214.364.7730 or send an email to ryan@myTFCR.org 

Breaking: SCREC Meeting Postponed

This is update #3 and this one is BREAKING NEWS:

The TFCR is announcing that the first State College Republican Executive Committee (SCREC) Meeting which was scheduled to take place this weekend in Houston has been postponed due to the threat posed from approaching Hurricane Ike. In a statement State Chairman Ryan Murphy advised members of the situation:

"Based on the most recent projections for Hurricane Ike, we must postpone this weekend's SCREC Meeting in Houston.

It appears that even if the storm does not make a direct hit, the area will at the very least experience tropical storm force winds and significant rainfall. We do not want to risk any of our members safety.

We have rescheduled the meeting for the following Saturday, September 20th.

We hope that you are able to attend and encourage each of you to invite as many of your members as possible, to take advantage of the new voting rules. A great turnout benefits everyone, so let's make it happen."

Again, the First SCREC Meeting will be taking place in Houston at the Pete Olson campaign headquarters on September 20th. We hope to see all of you there. You are asked to RSVP with State Secretary Lance Kennedy at lance@mytfcr.org but also confirm on the facebook event page by clicking here

Update #2: Texas Makes Big Contribution to Field Rep Program

Here is the second update that has been awaiting posting here on the site ... the State of Texas has made a big contributioin in the way of people to the CRNC Field Rep Program. Five College Republicans from Texas were tapped to be part of the 2008 program. Below is a list of those members whom have been sent out across the country to help in the program and where they have been deployed.

- Kassie Dill (UT-Arlington) and Nickole Heater (UT-El Paso) have both been assigned to Missouri.
- Yolanda Rodriguez (UT-El Paso) has been assigned to Arizona.
- Russell Booth (UT-El Paso) has been assigned to Florida.
- Michael Bennet (TCU) has been assigned to New Jersey.

Additionally, we are very proud to welcome our CRNC Field Representative, Samantha Peetros, to the Lone Star State. She excelled in the CRNC's recruiting and training process, placing 2nd of 60 during a petition contest held during training last week. We're very lucky to have her working with us over the next ten weeks.

Again, congratulation to all of our members for their hard work and dedication we know that they will show as a part of the CRNC Field Rep Program. And of course, to Samantha, Welcome to Texas!

Update #1: New Constitution

First off ... apologies for the long down time ... there were some techical issues that precluded the website from being updated ... but we are back and ready to go. So here is the first update we have been trying to get out to everyone ... the TFCR has a new constitution.

At the recent Constitutional Convention, members of the TFCR passed a non-binding constitution, which is to be ratified at the first board meeting of the semester, September 13th in Houston, Texas. Of the many changes, the three most important are:

- Creation of Regional Vice Chairman Board

Representing five regions, each RVC will focus on fostering communications among chapters in their region, starting new chapters within their region, and assisting the further development of chapters in their region.

- New Voting Rules

Replacing the current "One School, One Vote" rule, the new constitution awards voting privileges to up to ten members from each chapter, allowing greater representation for all members at the state level and increasing participation with the statewide organization.

- College Republicans of the Lone Star State

A new name to coincide with a radically different organizational structure and focus, this measure is designed to provide a clear and distinct differentiation from our organization's sordid past as we all work to move forward.

Ratification of the newly created constitution will take place at the first State College Republican Executive Committee (SCREC) Meeting in Houston.

Former Chairman Wins in case Against University

HOUSTON - The former Chaiman of the Texas Federation of College Republicans, Justin Jordan, recently won in his civil case against his former University (Texas Southern) after he and two other students were forced out of the university. The students claimed they were forced out by university officials, and even arrested, after they uncovered documents that revealed a spending scandal at the highest levels. They were known as the 'TSU Three' and their work led to indictments of the university president and a prision term for the TSU Financial Officer.

A federal jury decided Friday that William Hudson, Justin Jordan and Oliver Brown were kicked out of the university and arrested as payback for criticizing then-TSU President Priscilla Slade and other school leaders. Slade misspent nearly $500,000 of school funds on personal items (including clothes, home furnishings, and landscaping).

Jurors awarded actual damages totaling nearly $200,000 for all three students, and the jury is set to return this week to decide punitive damages.

The students filed a civil lawsuit against TSU officials in 2005 for allegedly thwarting their First Amendment rights by disciplining them for their anti-corruption speech. The lawsuit alleges they were retaliated against for exposing corruption at the university.

The allegations against Slade coincided with the discovery of a pattern of financial mismanagement at TSU. Gov. Rick Perry demanded the resignations of the entire nine-member board of regents and the state put $13 million in funding on hold.

Since the indictments were first announced in 2006, TSU has a new president and board of regents.

The school also received approval of a reorganization plan, which meant it could begin to spend some $13 million of state money that was put on hold after TSU's financial problems became public.

The Texas Federation of College Republicans congratulates it's former Chairman and the other students for their victory, and for bringing to light a scandal that was costing taxpayers and students.

DETAILS IN THIS STORY WERE OBTAINED FROM THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS

POSTED BY: ANDRES BOCANEGRA