On Tuesday, July 30th, C@R’s Houston office held the Legislative Debrief Luncheon at United Way to discuss the 83rd Texas legislative session. The event featured a panel discussion, including speakers Veronica Garcia, with Houston Independent School District (HISD), Andrea Usanga, with Mental Health America of Greater Houston, Rosie Valadez-McStay, with Texas Children’s Hospital (TCH), and Mandi Kimball, with C@R.
As I headed into the large room at United Way to find a seat for the discussion, I looked around and noticed that nearly every seat was filled. Seeing all of those guests who were passionate about advocacy and wanted to learn more about child-related issues brought up in the past Texas legislative session gave me a true appreciation. Those who dedicate their lives to lobbying for issues has always motivated me to care more about social and political concerns, but this event drove me to discovering more about those child-based problems that I could potentially advocate for within my community. I especially felt grateful toward the four diverse women who were apart of the panel, who all have backgrounds in working for children and are enthusiastic about what they do for the community.
Though I am more focused on creative writing and was not familiar with child advocacy prior to interning at C@R, I learned more at this event than I ever have about newfound issues within the Texas legislation, and hearing the opinions of those on the panel stimulated my thinking about potential proposals for legislation in which I might be interested.
After the luncheon ended and I gathered my things to go back to the office, I was so impressed by these women who are proud of the work that they do and are wholly dedicated to fighting for children. I also found that, based on the feedback and the questions that the engaged guests were asking throughout the event, all four women inspired everyone to gain a better understanding of the past legislative session.
I walked away from the luncheon recognizing that Texas can make even bigger and better changes for children in the 2015 session. All we have to do to see results is present our most persuasive arguments and dedicate them to all of those kids that we care about so much.