“Andrea, I hope you don’t mind, but I’d like to share a few simple tips with you about the High-Definition Television era. I’m sure you’re like me and wish we didn’t have to deal with make-up at all. But as you know it’s a requirement for TV. And now that we’ve all gone HD, using the right products is the key. Trust me, I’ve learned by trial and error and am happy to share a few suggestions with my friends. While more is less in HD, it’s really important to wear a foundation (I suggest MAC or Laura Mercier), HD powder (Makeup Forever is the best), concealer, eyeliner, mascara and lipstick. MAC is a great one stop shop for everything…but Makeup Forever has the best HD powder on the market. You can pick that up from Sephora. We girls have to stick together, so I wanted to share some of what I’ve learned since I know you’ll be stomping around the state with Bill and likely doing more TV interviews. Keep up the great work and let me know if I can be of any assistance.”

I cherish friends who tell me the truth, especially in such a gentle and upbeat way.

Over two years later, he was sound asleep when volunteers from Expectation Graduation knocked on his door - he assumed the people were selling something or trying to drop of a Bible. Instead, the three women standing at his door that Saturday morning offered him what he describes as a “road map” to his future.

Once he re-enrolled, Daniel began doing an incredible amount of his work online and, eventually, enrolled at HCC and took up composing – his first time using different voices and harmonizing. He’s now in his second year of Houston Community College.

Daniel’s parents never graduated from high school making his accomplishment even more special.  The day Daniel graduated his father told him that it was the proudest day of his life.

Please consider volunteering for Expectation Graduation’s annual Reach Out to Drop Out Walk on Saturday, September 11th. Cities participating on that day include: Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth, Corpus Christi, Midland, Baytown, Cleveland, Des Moines, Dickinson, Galena Park, La Marque, Missouri City, Pasadena, Richmond, Rosenberg, St. Louis, South Houston, Stafford and Sugar Land.

Within weeks, a handful of individuals stepped forward to found New Leaders of Texas for Bill White, committing themselves to bring resources to bear to the greatest extent possible: raising awareness and funds and playing a critical role in ensuring Bill White’s victory in November. Today, we have a network of over 100 individuals from all corners of the state who represent the diversity of his donor base: key influencers and up-and-coming professionals, across the political spectrum from Democratic activists, Republicans, and many who have previously not been involved in politics.

This past weekend, over 30 New Leaders of Texas convened in Industry, Texas, (pop. 304, located half way between Austin, Houston, Dallas and San Antonio) to discuss our job in the final two months of the race. A highlight of the retreat was breakfast with the future first lady of Texas, Andrea White, who joined us bright and early Sunday morning at Orsak’s Cafe in Fayetteville. She was happy to see her old friends, Secretary John Dalton and his wife, Margaret, who travelled down from Washington to address the group.

We were reminded by Secretary Dalton and Andrea just how much is at stake for the next generation of Texans: We are all in it for Bill because we love Texas, and know that he can bring the kind of leadership to Austin that will insure it remains a place where our kids and grandkids can thrive. These are difficult times and Bill White can do more with less – as a talented leader he could be one of the best governors Texas has ever had.  As the next generation of leaders, we have so much at stake in this election for our state’s future.

The group left fully committed to working tirelessly to ensure victory on November 2nd, and buzzing with plans for the historic gathering we will throw the following weekend.

Speech by Marsha Head

”Well today we’re going to get a little personal glimpse of Andrea White, the wife of Bill White, who has been the Mayor of Houston and who is the Democratic Candidate for Governor of our State and will be elected, hopefully, on November 2^nd of this year.

This is a little book that she wrote from her diary about being a political spouse from the time he became Mayor until the time he went out and started running for Governor.

First of all, this was really interesting to me because for approximately 50 years I have been a political spouse so I kind of have my ow ideas about it.  I found her accounts to be very personal, very caring and just very good to know their family values and the things they think are important.

Let me tell you first about a few highlights of our experiences that came back to me while I was reading her book.  One year we were going to a lot of Labor Day picnics and gatherings and dinners – you might go to 5 or 6 different events on that single day!  Our children were little, they were just 3 years apart and we carried them with us because we wanted them to know why we were gone all the time.  When we got home that night we said our prayers at bedtime and Bud, the middle one, who was probably 4 at the time, said, ‘Dear God, distinguished guests, ladies and gentleman…’  He thought that was the proper way he should address him, if you were trying to do it right.  When I look back, I can’t imagine how all this must appear to young people, you know, little ones especially.”

Andrea with Marsha Head and supporters

I got to spend a few days in Dallas with a college student, who is a terrific photographer– Steele Burrow.

My friends ask me what is the campaign trail like? Well, words fail me but Steele’s photographs don’t. He put his experience on youtube this morning.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DS99VBIo9sw

I’m a new teacher and I have a lot to learn, but here are a few lessons that my sixth grade students taught me this summer.

Lesson One:  Every child, regardless of zip code, deserves access to a quality education. The best way to ensure that our citizens have equal opportunities is through education.

Lesson Two:  There is an achievement gap in our school system; most of my sixth-graders could not read a paragraph of Harry Potter and then tell you what happened.  They could read the words, but could not construct meaning.

Lesson Three:  Disadvantaged students can perform at the same level as high income peers if they have access to quality teachers.  At the beginning of summer school, I tested my students on what they were taught the previous year.  One of my students, who struggled with reading and comprehension, scored 35 out of 100.  After five weeks, I anxiously graded his final test.  He beamed the entire time I graded it.  I had tears in my eyes when I told him he got a 97. In the five weeks of summer school my class average went from 38 to 89.

Teaching this summer was an incredible experience but what I am most looking forward to is watching my kids graduate from high school, go to college, and come back to the Houston community.

A few weeks ago, I walked into the office and found boxes and boxes of the red signs perfectly tracking the original design. In the midst of all that was going on that day, Ann-Marie, my traveling companion, had taken note of the signs and managed to get the ordering information from the company in Tyler that had designed the inserts. She then brought the information back to Houston, and the campaign ordered them in bulk.

It’s great to have people you can rely on and who can think ahead when there’s so many things to remember. Thanks to Ann-Marie we now have “Republicans for Bill” yard signs! Pick up yours today!

Take a minute and check out the online store. http://Store.BillWhiteForTexas.com

The young man finally arrived at Linda’s front door – sweating and out of breath. He had carried his sculpture up the many flights of stairs to Linda’s high rise condo. Much to her surprise, Linda saw an eight foot sculptured tree made of wood.

Like the great educator that she is, Linda introduced the aspiring sculptor to everyone in the room and proudly displayed his work of art. After Surls, Morales and Kopriva had praised the young man’s work, Linda and her husband purchased his sculpture – so he wouldn’t have to carry it all the way back down the stairs!

Patrick went on to receive his BFA from the Kansas City Art Institute and his MFA in Sculpture from the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University. He has now shown his art in venues throughout the US and in Cuba.

Today the piece of sculptor that Linda and her husband purchased is worth around $20,000.

Mentoring always pays off – not every sculpture will be worth something in the end, but the value of believing in a child will yield countless, lasting rewards.

People from across the state have found common interests with fellow Texans and have organized groups to support Bill.  Groups include Women for Bill White, Moms for Bill White, Lawyers for Bill White, Filmmakers for Bill White, Farmers for Bill White, and Republicans for Bill White.

If you’re interested in volunteering, please think about joining one of the many existing online groups to increase membership – or start your own!  The possibilities are endless and I enjoy hearing about what Texans are coming up with.

Thank you, Texans, for all your efforts!