Texas Joins Fight Against Cancer

Yesterday the Texas Cancer Research and Prevention Institute's Oversight Committee met for the first time. This was the first in a series of organizational meetings for the Institute, established under the cancer research and prevention initiative (Proposition 15) approved in the last legislative session.

Moving Ahead on Transportation

Work is nearing completion along FM 156 near Saginaw. Since August 2006 state road crews have been working on a $7.4 million project that included widening the thoroughfare, adding drainage, signing and pavement markers. The project is scheduled to be completed by July 2008. In addition, Denton County officials have announced that construction of the Lewisville Lake Bridge connecting the communities of Little Elm, Oak Point, and Lakewood Village to Lake Dallas has officially reached the halfway point and the project is scheduled to be completed in the summer of 2009. Every time a road project is completed in North Texas, it is worth celebrating!

Attention, craft artists!

The Texas Commission on the Arts is seeking talented Texas craft artisans working in various mediums to participate in "Texas Original," a project designed to promote craft arts in Texas. The deadline for applications is July 11, 2008. For more information about this program, its history, and an online application, please visit www.texasoriginal.com.

Protecting Our Children Online

Please note that June is "National Internet Safety Month," which aims to raise awareness about need for child online safety. The Centers for Missing & Exploited Children reported more than 2,600 incidents involving the enticement of children online in 2006. In response, the Texas Legislature approved Senate Bill 136, which I authored to develop a curriculum that our school districts may use to teach students about internet safety guidelines to be made readily available to school districts across the state. For more information regarding internet safety, the FBI has issued some helpful rules at this address: http://www.fbi.gov/publications/pguide/pguidee.htm

Governor's Mansion Fire

I am deeply saddened that a fire gutted one of our prized historical landmarks, the Governor's Mansion in Austin. The Governor's Mansion holds so many special memories for me. It was my home for 24 very special hours when I served as Governor For A Day. I especially loved participating in Easter Egg rolls there with my grandson. It is a tragic loss for Texas. We will work to ensure that it is restored to its former glory and I hope that the authorities -- who suspect arson -- are successful in their investigation.