Resolution passes 7 -1

Thank you Pedro Rivera for your recap of last night's historical passage.

Feb 12, 2013 6pm

by Pedro Rivera

It is not often when one witnesses history.  February 12, 2013 was such a night. The promise of a shining city on a hill was in full glory.  Americans, specifically, Texans in League City exercising their 1st Amendment right of free speech to request their local government to support and vote on a resolution to announce in clear language that the citizens of League City will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against the unconstitutional infringement from the Federal government to restrict those rights.

It was a full house.  Grey haired motorcycle members with their emblems identifying their affiliation along with veterans sat together in support of the resolution.  There were TEA Party members from Clear Lake, Pearland and the Texas Bay Area 9/12 group in attendance. Most attendees were ordinary Americans wanting to support this resolution.  Members of the public spoke about what the Constitution means to them, and provided historic references to the first battle in the American Revolution.  

Then it was time for the TEA Party Patriot and Army veteran recently elected to the Council to present her case.  Councilmember Heidi Thiess eloquently described why she thought this was important to bring forward.  She referenced current media attention after the tragic events in Sandy Hook, Colorado and Newtown, Connecticut while referencing the most recent call for gun control.  She quoted the Founders.  She stated we should not put our law enforcement officers in a position where they must fight with or against us.
She reminded us that those that served in the military, and the Council itself, took an oath to protect, defend and preserve the Constitution.  Heidi Thiess informed us that per capita, League City has the most Concealed Handgun licenses of any city in Texas.  

Members of the council spoke in their support of the resolution with the exception of one, Council Member Dennis O'Keefe.  He premised his response in that he was a member of the NRA, hunter, and CHL owner.  He wanted to gain support from external organizations such as the county via HGAC to weigh in first prior to adopting this resolution.  His references to Arizona and the potential for legal issues arising did nothing but anger the crowd as his references were not applicable in the current Resolution that was being proposed.  Council Member, Dan Becker provided a rebuttal.  Becker told the audience that they had just heard was a lie! That he (Becker) had helped the other councilman obtain his NRA license three years prior and that Council Member O'Keefe had not been a life long member.

Lastly, Mayor Tim Paulissen spoke.  He rightfully recognized the funeral process of Chris Kyle, an American hero and supported the resolution.
The resolution passed 7-1 making  League City the first city in the Nation to adopt this type of resolution.
Links
Council Member Heidi Thiess Public Statement
http://www.heidifortexas.com/my_notes_on_second_amendment_resolution

Resolution to Protect and Defend the 2nd Amendment
http://www.heidifortexas.com/2nd_amendment_resolution

Video of Council Member Thiess Speech
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGD31_Fa6ec