< Previous www.TerryLowry.com February 20188Trey Blockeris a "Gun for hireinside Austin lobbyist" seeking yourvote to become the Commissioner ofAgriculture. Not only does he lobbyfor liberal causes, he has contributedthousands and thousands of dollarsto elect Democrats. Unacceptable.Period. Former Commissioner of theGeneral Land Office, JerryPatterson, is seeking re-election tothis office, running against the current GLO Commissioner GeorgeP. Bush. Read Jerry Patterson’s op-ed on page 14.George P. Bushis taking a lot ofheat for his stand on re-imaging theAlamo and overseeing Harvey reliefefforts. George P. is not securingmany endorsements from conserva-tive Pro-Life / Pro-Family leadersthis election. You can read George’sop-ed on page 12.Since being elected as the firstRepublican Judge of the 405thDistrict Court in Galveston County,Michelle Slaughterhas trans-formed the court from the least effi-cient and least effective into themost efficient and most effective.Michelle Slaughter is seeking tobecome a Justice on the Texas Courtof Criminal Appeals. The Texas Court of CriminalAppeals is the court of last resort in Texas for criminalmatters. Texans do not want judges who are soft on crimeand do not follow the law. Find Michelle Slaughteronlineat www.JudgeMichelleslaughter.comDib Waldrip, Candidate for theTexas Court of Criminal Appeals,is supported by the LBGTQ community. Terry Yatesis an accomplishedattorney and successfully defendedDavid Daleiden in Harris County.Terry is a dear friend to most in thePro-Life community. However,Yates hosted a fund raiser in hishome for a Democrat.He evencontributed to this Democrat’s cam-paign. You have a choice: TerryYates or the next candidate….Katy Boatman, Candidate forJustice, 1st Court of Appeals, has animpressive list of endorsementsincluding: Texas Right to Life,Kingwood Tea Party, Texas HomeSchool Coalition, and EmpowerTexas. Visit Katy’s website atwww.KatyBoatmanForJudge.com Justice of the Peace Jeff Williamsis seeking re-election to Justice of the Peace Precinct 5, Place 2. Jeff had the audacity to askCommissioner Steve Radack tobuild him a temporary Chapel so hecould continue performing [gay]weddingsafter the devastatingfloods from Hurricane Harvey.While hundreds of thousands of our neighbors were suffering, William’s biggest concern was losing his abilityto perform [gay] weddings. No matter what you do in thisRepublican Primary, please do not vote for Jeff Williams,Justice of the Peace Pct. 5, Place 2.Weekdays 2:00 to 3:00 PM on FM 100.7 The Word. Visit www.TerryLowry.com9February 2018 www.TerryLowry.com www.TerryLowry.com February 201810For Our New ReadersWhat Others Are Saying about Terry LowryAnd the LINK Letter“Thank you for being there from the beginning. Please knowthat I am aware of the part you played in our success, andthat I am grateful for your work.”Dan PatrickLt. GovernorCounty Judge Ed EmmettGeorge W. and Laura Bush, Former PresidentGary ElkinsState RepresentativeJudge Charley Prine“In January 1994, my campaign manager, Phil Owens, and I knocked on Terry Lowry’s office door. I was seeking his endorsement. At the end of the day, I won my run-off election by 126 votes. It took every body doing everything they could but I know through his hard work and the trustworthiness of the LINK Letterbeing mailed to thousands in my district, I wonthat run-off and have sought Terry Lowry’s endorsement ever since. He truly seeks to endorse the most pro-life, pro-family candidate. I consider the LINK Letterendorsements when I vote myself.” “Of all the slates, Terry Lowry is the most fair.”“As an activist and campaign volunteer for years in NW HarrisCounty, I have seen first-hand voters carrying the LINK Letterintothe polls. I also know of his dedication to growing the conservative,pro-life / pro-family voting base through his voter registration efforts.When office-seekers ask me for advice, I stress the importance ofmeeting with Terry Lowry and seeking his endorsement.” “Thank you for the copies of the LINK Letter. An informed electorate is important in ourDemocracy, and I appreciate your efforts to get out the vote in Texas. Laura joins me in sending our best wishes to you.”March 7, 200011February 2018 www.TerryLowry.comWeekdays 2:00 to 3:00 PM on FM 100.7 The Word. Visit www.TerryLowry.comKaty Boatman“Terry Lowry reached out to me to question why I was seeking elective office. He was fair, thorough and positive. His publication reaches hundreds of thousands of voters and is reliable and trustworthy. I am fortunate to have met with himto tell him the reasons I am the right choice in this race.”“You must get informed on the issues and turnout in the RepublicanPrimary to vote for like-minded conservatives. With all the censorship from the National Liberal Media and Social Mediaorganizations, it’s important that publications like the Link Letterand Terry Lowry’s What’s Up Radio Programcontinue to be available for Republicans to talk to Republicans in this critical election year on so many issues and levels.”Senator Paul BettencourtState Representative Dr. Tom OliversonCommissioner Jack Cagle“I have known Terry Lowry for nearly three decades. Where reasonable minds may differ, we do not always agree with eachother in every race. However, I have seen Terry anguish andpray over his endorsements and find the LINK Letterto be adependable, reliable and trustworthy voice for conservatism.” “Terry Lowry and I met to discuss my first campaign. His questionswere probing, extensive and after our first meeting, he did NOTendorse me. He met with others seeking the same position. My wifeand I often saw Terry Lowry on the campaign trail. One night, hecame to me, shook my hand, and stated that he was endorsing mycampaign. I am proud to have earned his trust and confidence. Not only are Terry Lowry and his wife constituents of mine, I proudlycall them my friends.”Texas and Israel:Strategic and Economic Alliance www.TerryLowry.com February 201712Guest Editorial byTexas Land Commissioner George P. BushAmerica has no better ally and no truer friend inthe world than Israel. I was reminded of this first-hand when leading a Texasdelegation to Israel. We met with Prime MinisterBenjamin Netanyahu, a strong advocate for freedomand security. Netanyahu stressed the importance ofAmerica’s continuing resolve in fighting terrorism. ThePrime Minister confronts asymmetric threats every day. Israel Needs StrongAmerican LeadershipNetanyahu stressed how Israel, the region and thewhole world needs strong American leadership. Sadly,the Obama administration was the opposite with hisnuclear deal with Iran advancing the day when a statesponsor of terror becomes a nuclear power.Israel deserves the support of our country. Israeldeserves the support of our state. Perhaps the reasonTexans identify with Israel is because we have similarstories. Prime Minister Netanyahu compared the Battleof the Alamo to the Siege of Masada in 73 AD whenJewish rebels were heavily outnumbered by theRomans, and many paid the ultimate price.Texas must remain committed to the State of Israel.Open For BusinessFrom technology to oil and gas, Texas and Israel cando more business by strengthening our economic part-nership. One area is technology. Texas is home to theSilicon Prairie. In many ways, Israel is the SiliconValley of the Middle East. We discussed the Israelistartup culture. Two companies generated from thatspirit that have already changed the way we drive in the21st Century — Mobileye and Waze.From Saltwaterto Oil and GasWe also met with IDE Technologies — the companybehind the world’s largest desalination facility. IDE isexamining a similar program in Texas to help cities,communities and industrial partners meet their waterneeds. IDE has been so successful in its home countrythat Israel has gone from a net importer of water to a netexporter of this valuable resource in just twenty years. And now Israel is exploring offshore reserves of natu-ral gas in partnership with a Houston-based companyNoble Energy, potentially bringing Israel to energyindependence in less than a generation. Texans andIsraelis can work together exploring and developing rel-evant infrastructure to deliver product to the market-place. Do More Businesswith IsraelThe most important thing we can do for Israel is domore business with Israel. I am committed to fosteringa climate of trade, investment, and sharing of best prac-tices. What I saw in Israel was a great spirit of entrepre-neurship and innovation, like that found in Texas. Texasis the perfect partner for Israeli businesses.Common Values – CommonIdeals – Common EnemiesAbove all, I want to do everything I can to bringTexans and Israelis closer together. We share commonvalues, common ideals and, yes, common enemies.Together, we can expand freedom, strengthen freemarkets, and continue to fight back against terrorism.The people of Israel have been tested for quite sometime, however, their challenges have only created astronger Israel. I saw this, first hand, in the eyes of theIsraeli people.They are not afraid to stand for freedom. And we mustnever be afraid to stand with them.George P. Bush is the 27th Texas Land Commissioner.13February 2018 www.TerryLowry.comThe Alamo: My Thoughts www.TerryLowry.com February 201814Guest Editorial ByJerry PattersonThe focus mustbe 1836.When asked, “Why not restorethe Alamo to its 1836 appear-ance?”, George Skarmeas, ChiefPlanner of the General LandOffice, always responded, “Theevents of 1836 were just 1 small chapter in 10,000 yearsof history.” How absurd. The Alamo exists today solelybecause of what happened in 1836. Absent the siege,the iconic symbol of not just Texas liberty but also lib-erty everywhere would not exist.We don’t need andshouldn’t seek advice orapproval from any entityoutside of Texas.Decisions related to the Alamo should be made by thestate agency in charge: the Texas General Land Office.Because much of the original 1836 Alamo footprint ison city property, the City of San Antonio will have a sayas well. The National Park Service, UNESCO, or theWorld Heritage Organization will have no influence inwhat Texans do with their Alamo when I amCommissioner again.Texans want elected officials held accountable - not their surrogates or theirnonprofit organizations.Seemingly, Commissioner Bush delegated his respon-sibilities to surrogates. Gene Powell, a CommissionerBush appointee to the Alamo Endowment Board, andGeorge Skarmeas’ firm were in charge of – or at leastthe face of – all things Alamo. The Bush General Land Office created two mysteriousnonprofits: the Alamo Trust and the Remember theAlamo Foundation. All have refused to comply withopen records requests. Recently the State RepublicanExecutive Committee voted 57 to 1 to demand trans-parency at the Alamo. We deserve our elected officials- not their surrogates - to explain, defend, and beaccountable.The Alamo is not art nor is it a park.The Reimagine plan glass wall is architecturally stun-ning. Problem is I don’t want to be stunned, I want to beinspired. I want to be humbled by how little I have donefor liberty when compared to those who have gonebefore. When the Travis “Victory or Death” letter returned tothe Alamo in 2013 for the first time since 1836, visitorswaited for up to six hours to enter the darkened chapeland view the letter. When they exited, they wereinspired and even tearful. We must create that inspiringenvironment - without glass walls.We need a restoration of the Alamo as close to its orig-inal footprint and appearance as reasonable. Completerestoration is not possible – the federal building is per-manent although possibly could be an outstandingmuseum and visitor center. The hump on the Alamofaçade and the roof will remain. Leaving the Cenotaph in its original 1940 location isfar better than relocating several blocks away and out ofsight of the Alamo. We have one chance to get this right: that chanceoccurs now. Texas must create a place of reverence,remembrance, and respect – nothing should be“Reimagined”. Demand that 1836 be the entry point to telling theentire story of the Alamo. Insist the Cenotaph not bemoved away from the Alamo. Honor those who diedthere.Jerry PattersonMeet a Tall Texan: Jerry Patterson 15February 2018 www.TerryLowry.comBy Sara Tracey, Assistant EditorThe LINK LetterBorn in Houston, Jerry Patterson graduated from Texas A&M, Class of 1969 and was commissioned in the United States MarineCorps. Jerry volunteered for duty in Vietnam and waslater designated as a Naval Flight Officer. He served inMarine fighter squadrons until his retirement from theMarine Corps Reserve as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1993.Five consecutive generations of Jerry’s family haveserved our nation in time of war. Authored Concealed CarryElected to the Texas Senate in 1993, Jerry was theauthor of the historic concealed handgun law. Since thattime, Jerry has been the state’s leading voice for gunrights and for our God given and constitutionally enumerated 2nd Amendment right to keep and beararms. Jerry is also known for his love of Texas history.Named Texas of the Year in 2007 by the nonprofitorganization Celebrate Texas for his contributions topreserving Texas history, Jerry has always defended theimportance of real history and the values it can teach.Authored Concealed CarryElected to the Texas Senate in 1993, Jerry was theauthor of the historic concealed handgun law. Since thattime, Jerry has been the state’s leading voice for gunrights and for our God given and constitutionally enumerated 2nd Amendment right to keep and beararms. Jerry is also known for his love of Texas history.Named Texas of the Year in 2007 by the nonprofitorganization Celebrate Texas for his contributions topreserving Texas history, Jerry has always defended theimportance of real history and the values it can teach. Focused, Determined FighterHis dogged determination in fighting for the heritage ofTexas has included defending Confederate monuments,advocating for Buffalo Soldier and Tejano commemo-rations, and standing tall for the men who died at theAlamo. Elected Texas Land Commissioner in 2002, Pattersonquickly modernized and revitalized the Texas GeneralLand Office, the oldest agency in Texas. He diversifiedand increased the Permanent School Fund, earningmore ($8.1billion) for the fund during his twelve yeartenure than had been earned ($7.9 billion) in the entire129 years since the PSF was created in 1876. Helping VeteransEqually as important, Jerry ushered in the greatestexpansion of benefits for Texas veterans since WorldWar II, including doubling the number of State VeteransHomes and building four new Texas veterans’ cemeteries– without cost to Texas taxpayers. In 2011, the Texas Legislature transferred to the LandOffice authority over the Alamo. Patterson quicklyrevitalized the iconic Texas landmark, while workingclosely with the Daughters of the Republic of Texas.Jerry created one of the largest public history eventsever held at the Alamo: the return of William B. Travis’“Victory or Death” letter to the Alamo for thirteen daysin 2013 – the first and only return of the letter to theAlamo since it left by courier on February 24th, 1836. In 2014, Commissioner Patterson met with legendarymusician and Alamo devotee, Phil Collins, and anagreement was reached with the iconic entertainer todonate his entire collection of Alamo artifacts to theShrine of Texas Liberty. Jerry is a member of Bethany Lutheran Church inAustin and has four children, twins Samantha and Colewho attend public school, Emily and Travis. His daughterEmily is an attorney specializing in establishing and monitoring judicial systems in newly emergingdemocracies.Son Pilots Marine OneHis son Travis is agraduate of TexasA&M, where he wascommissioned as aMarine Lieutenant.Travis served fourtours of duty in Iraqand the Middle East.Named MarineAviator of the year in2016, Lt. Col. Travis Patterson now pilots Marine One,the official helicopter of President Donald Trump. www.TerryLowry.com February 2018Sanctuary Cities in Texas? Not on My WatchGuest Editorial ByAttorney General Ken PaxtonAt its core, our fight oversanctuary cities centerson the urgent and criticalissue of restoring the rule of law.For decades, America’s bordershave remained unsecured whilethe federal government’s appetitefor enforcement has changed withthe political winds. Defiance and DisorderRecent efforts by the federal government to restorelaw and order have been met with open defiance by liberal leaders of local governments who disagree withCongress’ policy decisions. This defiance is just onesubset of the threat to the rule of law in America. Foreign terrorists are attempting to undermine the ruleof law with fear and chaos. Liberal federal judges andunelected bureaucrats are ignoring the rule of law bysubstituting and injecting their opinions. Presidents have attempted to thwart the rule of law byoutright violating the Constitution. Texas state and localgovernments are now refusing to obey or enforce duly-enacted laws. Restoring Law and OrderLast year, the Texas Legislature studied, debated andpassed Senate Bill 4 to address the dangerous, rogueactions of sanctuary cities threatening public safety ofTexans. Governor Abbott signed the bill into law saying, “It’sinexcusable to release individuals from jail that havebeen charged with heinous crimes like sexual assaultagainst minors, domestic violence and robbery. There are deadly consequences to not enforcing thelaw, and Texas has now become a state where thosepractices are not tolerated. With this bill, we are doingaway with those that seek to promote lawlessness inTexas.”Single CourtKnowing supporters of sanctuary cities would sue toblock the law, I directed my office to preemptively fileour own lawsuit. This was to ensure any opposing law-suits filed would have to be settled in a single court,rather than fight it out across the state. The federal court in Austin “punted” our case to itscounterpart in San Antonio, which predictably deniedour motion. My office has appealed that ruling to the5th Circuit to reinstate our case in Austin, where itbelongs. Thankfully, the 5th Circuit has issued a staywhich allows Texas to enforce key provisions of SB 4while we await a ruling from the court.Protect Law Abiding CitizensBeing compassionate towards the safety of all the citizens, this is an issue about public safety. According to the Texas Department of Public Safety,during the last six years, more than 230,000 criminalaliens have been apprehended and charged with morethan 612,000 criminal offenses in Texas, including:n1,254 homicide chargesn74,000 drug chargesn741 kidnappingsn6,588 sexual assaultsn42,000 theft chargesn9,204 weapons chargesSanctuary cities endanger our citizens. We cannotallow local public officials, law enforcement authoritiesor sheriffs to disobey the law just because they disagreewith it. Imagine the chaos if individuals were able tochoose which laws to obey and which to ignore? Senate Bill 4 is constitutionally necessary and a criticalgoal in restoring the rule of law. America’s foundersunderstood that few things are more central to thepreservation of a free and prosperous society as maintaining the rule of law. Remember: the Rule of LawToday, we face a nation that has forgotten the importance of maintaining the rule of law.We see state and local politicians supporting efforts toprevent the federal government from carrying out oneof its few and defined powers—securing our bordersand establishing a uniform rule for immigration andnaturalization. In times like this, it is the rule of law that needs a sanctuary, and I’m fighting to ensure it.16Ken Paxton17February 2018 www.TerryLowry.comSid Miller: The Texas Ag CommissionerGuest Editorial BySid Miller Texas Commissioner of AgricultureFriends, I am blessed to bean eighth generation farmerand rancher who stillmakes his living from the land. In2014, the voters of the great Stateof Texas bestowed upon me a greathonor when they elected me to be the twelfthCommissioner of Agriculture, a job that I had beenpreparing for all my life.My first official act as Commissioner was to rescindall TDA mandates on our public schools participating inthe school nutrition program. This took government outof those decisions and returned them to local schooldistricts. Local school officials and parents shoulddecide what is best for our children and their nutrition.Inspection of Fuel PumpsAs Ag Commissioner, I have implemented efficienciesand cost savings measures. Our inspectors are now driving 750,000 fewer miles annually and are performingdouble the number of inspections per day.I put a new program in place allowing our inspectorsto certify over 400,000 fuel pumps in our state everytwo years instead of eight. We now inspect fuelpumps for credit card skimmers that rip-offTexans.I initiated Operation Mavericksending TDA inspectors acrossthe state to identify and to bringinto compliance over 7,000businesses that were operatingillegally.When I took office, the TDAorganic certification programhad a two and half year backlog.Within ninety days we had thebacklog eliminated and the program running on time.Exporting to South America,China and IsraelSince taking office, my team and I have embarked on trade missions to every continent on the globe withthe exception of Antarctica. We established a SouthAmerican TDA office in Argentina launching greattrade relationships with cattlemen in the entire region.Texas beef cattle genetics are the most desired in theworld and we are working hard to develop a strong market for them in Latin America.I personally led a trade mission to China resulting inincreased sales of and price for Texas pecans. China hada ban on American beef. I urged the removal of this ban.Shortly after our trade mission, the Chinese governmentdid exactly that, resulting in untold opportunities forsales and profits for Texas cattlemen.I have always been a staunch defender of the State ofIsrael so in 2017 I went there and signed the first evertrade agreement between Texas and the biblical heart-land of Samaria.Every Texan Touched by TDAEach and every day the Texas Department ofAgriculture touches the lives of hard working Texans in a myriad of ways. Not only are we tasked withstrengthening a $115 billion dollar industry thatemploys one out of seven Texans, we are alsoresponsible for protecting the health, safetyand pocketbooks of Texas consumers.I humbly ask for your vote on March6 so that I may continueserving asyour Texas AgricultureCommissioner.Editor’s note:visit Sid Miller’s campaign atwww.MillerForTexas.comSid MillerNext >