Upon being elected as Texas House Speaker, Rep. Dade Phelan (R- Beaumont) made the following remarks:
- Thanks friends & family
- Welcomes 16 new House members
- On the brink of defeating COVID-19, first responders, vulnerable Texans now have access to vaccines
- Texas children & educators must continue to be at the forefront of the legislative agenda this session
- House last adjourned with landmark property tax and school finance reform, but children at risk of falling behind due to pandemic
- To get Texans back to work we must protect health & safety, remove burdens on business, can do this without straining budget
- Pandemic has highlighted antiquated practices, pandemic has made education and health care accessible, have figured out to sell margaritas to go; need to work to eliminate burdensome regulations from statutes
- Situation is much different than when House last adjourned, have endured one of the most bitter elections in recent memory, many question electoral process
- Violence has swept streets and nation’s Capitol, encourages members to get to know one another and work together
- Will make Texas the beacon of the nation, need to unite in common purpose to do what is right for the people of Texas