By John T. Gill, MD
President, Texas Orthopaedic Association

Today is Memorial Day. As this day is the holiday commemorating U.S. men and women who have died in military service to their country, we would like to recognize the incredible sacrifices made by our armed forces.

Prior to her 1998 election as Texas Agriculture Commissioner, Susan Combs served two terms in the Texas House of Representatives, serving as the only Republican legislator for Travis county. In the legislature, she successfully sponsored and passed landmark private property rights legislation. Working side by side with then Governor Bush, she worked to rewrite the Juvenile Justice Code in 1995. She also wrote and passed legislation establishing an accountability system for our state's public schools as well as legislation making state agencies more fiscally

responsible. Susan Combs authored legislation on tort reform, vital to the state's business community.

As the first woman ever elected Commissioner of Agriculture, Susan Combs has made rural economic development and marketing Texas agricultural products top priorities in her administration. No one has been a better friend of rural Texas than Susan Combs.  Susan Combs has also launched an innovative effort to promote tourism in small towns across the state, resulting in measurable revenue increases for those areas. Her award-winning marketing program is a huge benefit to participants who have experienced increased sales and revenue.

Susan Combs was inducted into the Texas Women's Hall of Fame in 2004 for her dedication and commitment providing healthy foods for Texas schools and for her high-profile efforts to enhance rural economic development. She has also been committed to strengthening the Texas agriculture industry. Her efforts have been recognized by Progressive Farmer, which named her Leader of the year in Texas Agriculture for 2002.

In March of 2006, the American Medical Association presented Commissioner Combs the Dr. Nathan Davis Award for Outstanding Government Service, the highest award the AMA can bestow on a public official.  Combs was recognized for her strong leadership in tackling the state’s obesity crisis and in championing a school policy to address the problem. 

In June 2004, Susan Combs was invited to participate in the Time-ABC News Summit on Obesity, where she was recognized for her work to promote better nutrition in Texas schools and named one of six national heroes in the fight against obesity.

Commissioner Combs graduated from Vassar College and worked in international advertising in New York, in the financial markets on Wall Street, and for the federal government. She later returned to Texas and received her law degree from the University of Texas School of Law. Upon graduation, Susan Combs served as an Assistant District Attorney in Dallas handling child abuse cases, where her outstanding performance as a tough prosecutor earned her widespread respect.  Throughout her career, Susan Combs has had a deep interest in children and their welfare and education. She has served as President and board member of a private parochial school, and chairperson of several local public school committees. She has also served on the board of an agricultural lending institution.

Commissioner Combs was born in San Antonio, Texas, and has a cow-calf operation in Brewster County on the same ranch established by her great-grandfather more than a century ago. Susan Combs resides in Austin with her husband Joe and their three sons.

Email Susan Combs to thank her for her work!
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By Mignon McGarry
TOA Legislative Advocate / Memos: Thu May 24 & Tue May 22, 2007
TOA Online Version: All Memos

May 24, 2007, Thursday
We are at the watch and wait portion of the legislative session. The deadlines to pass bills have come and gone. Now the House and Senate must resolve their differences on the bills still in play.

Everyone is still waiting for the other shoe to drop in the race for Speaker. Rumors still abound regarding a possible Motion to Vacate the Chair. Speaker Craddick hasn’t been in the Chair much which increases the chatter of the potential for action before the session ends on Monday.

The focus has also been on two bills that still remain unresolved – the budget and SB 792, the major transportation bill. In order to avoid a special session, both of these must be passed by the Legislature and be acceptable to Governor Perry.

May 22, 2007, Tuesday
As of May 18th, according to the Legislative Reference Library of Texas, a total of 10,147 House and Senate bills, concurrent resolutions, joint resolutions, and simple resolutions had been filed. Of the 4,140 bills filed in the House, 233 had passed. In the Senate, 209 of the 2,050 bills filed had passed.

So far this week, we have seen two new names thrown into the race for Speaker. Rep. Jim Pitts (R-Waxahachie) and Rep. Brian McCall (R-Plano) have both filed paperwork with the Ethics Commission to make their candidacies official. Rep. Byron Cook (R-Corsicana) made an impassioned speech on the House floor Monday night, asking Speaker Craddick not to run again for Speaker. What happens next is anyone’s guess.

Bills headed to Governor Perry’s desk for his signature or veto include enhanced punishment for child molesters and the reorganization of Texas Youth Commission. As expected, Governor Perry vetoed House Bill 1892, a transportation bill that is now being reworked in the Legislature as Senate Bill 792. Key legislative items still in play at the Legislature include the proposal to expand the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), an air quality bill and most importantly, the budget. The budget must be completed, printed and distributed to all members by the end of the week in order for it to be voted on by both the Senate and the House by this Sunday.
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