Texas Constitutional Convention Updates
Texas
Constitutional Convention Updates
Texas Constitutional Convention Coordinating Committee
Wesley W.
Burnett, moderator
1009 Sunset Drive
Post, Texas 79356
(806)
495-4135 or FAX: 495-2059
Gregory Scales, vice moderator
160 Hidden Valley
Abilene, Texas
79603
(915-695-9556)
Date: May 10, 1997
To: All Texas County Clerks
The Texas Constitutional Convention Coordinating Committee (TxCCCC), a citizen established committee, has declared July 4, 1997 for the convening of a constitutional convention at the Original Irion County Courthouse in Sherwood. The purpose of the convention is to construct a new constitution for Texas under the authority of Article 1, Section 2 of the 1876 Texas Constitution, and then present that document to Texas voters for a decision in a referendum.
We have enclosed a copy of a notice we respectfully request be posted at your courthouse as part of our attempt to notify Texas citizens of their right to participate in this constitutional convention.
We offer the following information to assist you in evaluating the authenticity of the coordinating committee:
Late last fall and early winter, Texans began meeting in local and regional committees, debating and discussing the writing of a new Texas constitution... spurred by three primary concerns about constitutional rights: (1) that ownership of property is not secure, (2) that individual rights are insecure and (3) that access to justice through the common law is not available.
Meeting in cities all across Texas, citizens in these committees began to exchange ideas through electronic communication, and in February agreed to establish a coordinating committee for the purpose of organizing and arranging details for convening a constitutional convention.
Local and regional committees held elections in early March, sending representatives to an organizational meeting in Abilene on March 15. It was at that time that the coordinating committee was formally established, officers were elected and subcommittees created.
TxCCCC is operating under the limited authority of local and regional constitutional writing committees, and members of the coordinating committee claim only to represent themselves and those local committees which elected them for this task of organizing the convening of a constitutional convention. We are not authorized, controlled, directed, sanctioned or approved by any government or any government agent. We proceed to convention under the authority of the 1876, 1861, 1845 and 1836 Texas constitutions.*
We appeal to you to assist us in notifying the citizens of your county so that they may participate if they so desire, if they meet the qualifications defined in the proclamation. Please feel free to call myself or Greg if you have any questions.
Wesley W. Burnett
Moderator
Texas Constitutional Convention
Coordinating Committee
1. "All political power is inherent in the people, and all free governments are founded on their authority, and instituted for their benefit. The faith of the people of Texas stands pledged to the preservation of a republican form of government, and subject to this limitation only, they have at all times the inalienable right to alter, reform or abolish their government in such manner as they may think expedient." Constitution of Texas, February, 1876.
2. "All Political power is inherent in the people, and all free governments are founded on their authority, and instituted for their benefit; and they have at all times the inalienable right to alter, reform, or abolish their form of government, in such manner as they may think expedient; and, therefore, no government or authority can exist or exercise power within the State of Texas, without the consent of the people thereof previously given; nor after that consent be withdrawn." Article I. -- Bill of Rights. Section 1, 1861 Texas Constitution.
3. "All political power is inherent in the people, and all free governments are founded on their authority, and instituted for their benefit; and they have at all times the unalienable right to alter, reform, or abolish their form of government, in such manner as they may think expedient." Article I, Bill of Rights, Constitution for the State of Texas, August 27, 1845.
4. "All political power is inherent in the people, and all free governments are founded on their authority, and instituted for their benefit; and they have at all times the inalienable right to alter their government in such manner as they might think proper." Second article, Declaration of Rights, The Constitution of the Republic of Texas, March 17, 1836.
Copyright at Common Law, West El Paso Information Network, 1997
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