1 00:00:00,400 --> 00:00:04,920 Speaker 1: The Michael Berry Show. Tony Tenderholt is a Republican state 2 00:00:05,000 --> 00:00:08,119 Speaker 1: representative from Texas. He's not from Houston, so a lot 3 00:00:08,160 --> 00:00:10,440 Speaker 1: of folks in area won't know him. I didn't know 4 00:00:10,520 --> 00:00:13,880 Speaker 1: him before he became a state rep. But as a 5 00:00:13,920 --> 00:00:22,520 Speaker 1: state rep. His strong conservative views, outspoken positions, fearlessness tempered 6 00:00:22,560 --> 00:00:27,480 Speaker 1: by his military background made him a special state representative. 7 00:00:28,640 --> 00:00:33,159 Speaker 1: He has represented Texas House District ninety four, which includes 8 00:00:33,200 --> 00:00:37,640 Speaker 1: parts of Arlington in Terrant County, going back ten years 9 00:00:37,680 --> 00:00:42,320 Speaker 1: actually hard to believe, since twenty fifteen. Before he entered politics, 10 00:00:43,000 --> 00:00:45,199 Speaker 1: he served over a decade in the United States Air 11 00:00:45,240 --> 00:00:50,479 Speaker 1: Force and later switching branches as an Army major, including 12 00:00:50,479 --> 00:00:56,000 Speaker 1: deployments in Iraq where he trained local forces. He's originally 13 00:00:56,000 --> 00:00:57,880 Speaker 1: from Minnesota, but we won't hold him against it. We'll 14 00:00:57,880 --> 00:01:00,560 Speaker 1: hold out against him. He now lived, as I said, 15 00:01:00,560 --> 00:01:04,320 Speaker 1: in Arlington, Texas. He's married to Bethany Tyler, a former 16 00:01:04,360 --> 00:01:10,119 Speaker 1: Dallas Cowboys cheerleader, and they have three children. He gained 17 00:01:10,160 --> 00:01:14,800 Speaker 1: attention early in his political career by unseating a long 18 00:01:15,000 --> 00:01:19,200 Speaker 1: time incumbent in the twenty fourteenth Republican primary. Keep your 19 00:01:19,200 --> 00:01:23,280 Speaker 1: eye on guys who do that, because that means that 20 00:01:23,360 --> 00:01:27,080 Speaker 1: they have. That's what Ted Cruz did to David Dewhurst. 21 00:01:28,200 --> 00:01:31,120 Speaker 1: That's what Donald Trump did to the entire twenty sixteen 22 00:01:31,280 --> 00:01:35,640 Speaker 1: cast a class. You look at guys like that and 23 00:01:35,720 --> 00:01:39,920 Speaker 1: you go, that's probably a comer. Since then, in those 24 00:01:39,959 --> 00:01:42,720 Speaker 1: ten years, he's built a reputation as one of the 25 00:01:42,760 --> 00:01:48,120 Speaker 1: most common sense conservative voices in the Texas legislature. He 26 00:01:48,240 --> 00:01:53,080 Speaker 1: served on several House committees, including those focused on public health, 27 00:01:53,240 --> 00:01:56,840 Speaker 1: county affairs, and government efficiency. So why are we talking 28 00:01:56,840 --> 00:01:59,680 Speaker 1: about Tony Tenderholt. He's just a state rep. There's one 29 00:01:59,720 --> 00:02:03,800 Speaker 1: hundred fifty of them. Because on June second, twenty twenty five, 30 00:02:03,880 --> 00:02:07,640 Speaker 1: at the close of the legislative session, Tony Tenderholt announced 31 00:02:07,640 --> 00:02:10,919 Speaker 1: he would not seek reelection. He said he wanted to 32 00:02:10,919 --> 00:02:14,960 Speaker 1: spend more time with his family, but he expressed confidence 33 00:02:14,960 --> 00:02:17,919 Speaker 1: in the future of conservative leadership in Texas. I think 34 00:02:17,919 --> 00:02:20,280 Speaker 1: it was twenty four new state reps who came up 35 00:02:20,320 --> 00:02:26,040 Speaker 1: to Austin having defeated incumbents or having had incumbents retire 36 00:02:26,120 --> 00:02:31,000 Speaker 1: to avoid being defeated by them. Tony Tenderholt was not 37 00:02:31,560 --> 00:02:35,679 Speaker 1: a swamp creature. He was not always popular with the establishment. 38 00:02:35,760 --> 00:02:37,920 Speaker 1: Certainly not with the Democrats, and frankly not with a 39 00:02:37,919 --> 00:02:42,280 Speaker 1: lot of the establishment Republicans. He wasn't to go along 40 00:02:42,440 --> 00:02:46,840 Speaker 1: to get along kind of guy. He spoke out, spoke often. 41 00:02:46,880 --> 00:02:49,880 Speaker 1: It's been on our show many times. And it cost 42 00:02:49,960 --> 00:02:53,160 Speaker 1: him the lobbying gigs that most state reps would get 43 00:02:53,200 --> 00:02:57,720 Speaker 1: after they left the session. It's cost him the extra 44 00:02:57,840 --> 00:03:00,520 Speaker 1: jobs on the side that they get by, you know, 45 00:03:00,639 --> 00:03:03,800 Speaker 1: going along on the tax increases and not opposing the 46 00:03:03,880 --> 00:03:07,760 Speaker 1: bad bills. But I really feel like this is a 47 00:03:07,840 --> 00:03:11,639 Speaker 1: Davy Crockett type guy, a citizen servant, a guy who 48 00:03:11,680 --> 00:03:17,280 Speaker 1: really cared. And his choice to leave when he could 49 00:03:17,280 --> 00:03:20,520 Speaker 1: have stayed on for decades when he had no real 50 00:03:20,600 --> 00:03:25,480 Speaker 1: serious challenge, when he's very popular and well respected, I 51 00:03:25,520 --> 00:03:28,480 Speaker 1: think that that's worth a moment for us to stop 52 00:03:28,520 --> 00:03:32,520 Speaker 1: and appreciate that lawmakers from both parties took to the 53 00:03:32,560 --> 00:03:35,600 Speaker 1: podium to offer their farewells and acknowledge his years of 54 00:03:35,600 --> 00:03:41,200 Speaker 1: service and frankly a grudging respect because Tony Tenderholt is 55 00:03:41,280 --> 00:03:47,720 Speaker 1: no sellout. We'll miss you members. 56 00:03:48,680 --> 00:03:52,280 Speaker 2: The Chair recognizes mister Tinderholt to address the House regarding 57 00:03:52,280 --> 00:03:52,920 Speaker 2: his retirement. 58 00:03:54,200 --> 00:04:01,840 Speaker 3: Yes, I'm retiring, Thank you, miss Speaker. And members. The 59 00:04:02,040 --> 00:04:06,080 Speaker 3: eighty ninth Legislative session marks my sixth session in this chamber, 60 00:04:06,120 --> 00:04:10,040 Speaker 3: representing House District ninety four. There have been ups, there's 61 00:04:10,080 --> 00:04:14,720 Speaker 3: been downs, amendments, points of order, disagreements, and achievements. It's 62 00:04:14,720 --> 00:04:18,520 Speaker 3: been one of the highlights of my life. Oftentimes people 63 00:04:18,680 --> 00:04:29,760 Speaker 3: forget the sacrifice of serving in the legislature. It's been 64 00:04:29,800 --> 00:04:33,400 Speaker 3: a job that has to be done by somebody, and 65 00:04:33,440 --> 00:04:37,760 Speaker 3: I'm honored to have done it. I've dedicated thirty two 66 00:04:37,800 --> 00:04:41,320 Speaker 3: years of my life to public service. Eleven in the 67 00:04:41,360 --> 00:04:44,279 Speaker 3: Air Force, taking part in encounter drug missions throughout South 68 00:04:44,320 --> 00:04:46,479 Speaker 3: and Central America, and then after nine to eleven, I 69 00:04:46,520 --> 00:04:49,360 Speaker 3: served for ten years in the Army as a platoon leader, 70 00:04:49,440 --> 00:04:53,719 Speaker 3: executive officer, detachment commander, retruiting commander, and then I kept 71 00:04:53,800 --> 00:04:58,799 Speaker 3: volunteering to deploy to combat zones. Arguably, my twelve years 72 00:04:58,839 --> 00:05:02,400 Speaker 3: here has been one of the more difficult combat zones 73 00:05:02,400 --> 00:05:06,080 Speaker 3: I've had the pleasure of serving. In two years ago, 74 00:05:06,120 --> 00:05:08,640 Speaker 3: I decided i'd run again for a sixth term, hoping 75 00:05:08,640 --> 00:05:11,040 Speaker 3: I was going to be coming back with friends. I'm 76 00:05:11,040 --> 00:05:13,359 Speaker 3: proud to say my hopes came true and I was 77 00:05:13,440 --> 00:05:16,599 Speaker 3: joined by the most conservative group of freshmen legislator this 78 00:05:16,720 --> 00:05:20,120 Speaker 3: body's ever seen. I returned to this chamber with one goal, 79 00:05:21,520 --> 00:05:26,039 Speaker 3: accomplishing as much conservative policy as possible, while humbly evaluating 80 00:05:26,080 --> 00:05:28,279 Speaker 3: if it was time to go home and let others 81 00:05:28,279 --> 00:05:32,440 Speaker 3: continue this vital fight for the conservative movement. We've accomplished 82 00:05:32,440 --> 00:05:35,520 Speaker 3: a lot in six sessions, but there's still more work 83 00:05:35,560 --> 00:05:39,800 Speaker 3: to be done. While more Texas GOP priorities passed this 84 00:05:39,920 --> 00:05:43,840 Speaker 3: session than previously had, there were still missed opportunities and 85 00:05:43,880 --> 00:05:46,440 Speaker 3: so much left to do. Just like both sides have 86 00:05:46,520 --> 00:05:51,159 Speaker 3: said every session to my Democrat colleagues, I hope you 87 00:05:51,200 --> 00:05:53,240 Speaker 3: know that I've always tried to treat you with respect 88 00:05:53,400 --> 00:05:55,640 Speaker 3: that you deserve as members of this body who are 89 00:05:55,720 --> 00:06:00,240 Speaker 3: chosen by your districts to fight for the values you hold. 90 00:06:00,320 --> 00:06:05,080 Speaker 3: To the Republican colleagues I say, sometimes oftentimes disagreed with, 91 00:06:05,920 --> 00:06:08,599 Speaker 3: Please know that my absence next session will not remove 92 00:06:08,640 --> 00:06:11,720 Speaker 3: in any way the pressure to deliver real conservative results 93 00:06:11,720 --> 00:06:15,160 Speaker 3: for the people of Texas. And though we've disagreed at times, 94 00:06:15,640 --> 00:06:18,039 Speaker 3: I've been truly honored to serve alongside each of you. 95 00:06:18,960 --> 00:06:21,360 Speaker 3: To the Conservative freshmen that works so hard to be here, 96 00:06:22,200 --> 00:06:25,479 Speaker 3: you're equipped, eager, and dedicated to ensuring the passage of 97 00:06:25,520 --> 00:06:29,000 Speaker 3: the Texas GOP legislative priorities for the future sessions to come. 98 00:06:29,760 --> 00:06:32,159 Speaker 3: Texas is in good hands with each of you, and 99 00:06:32,240 --> 00:06:40,919 Speaker 3: it's time for me to step aside. 100 00:06:45,279 --> 00:06:45,960 Speaker 4: Love you, buddy. 101 00:06:51,839 --> 00:07:09,480 Speaker 3: This is the hard part. To my wonderful wife Bethany 102 00:07:12,120 --> 00:07:27,200 Speaker 3: and my children, Tyler and Brennan. I'm coming home. I 103 00:07:27,240 --> 00:07:31,480 Speaker 3: get to be a dad. I don't have to miss 104 00:07:32,040 --> 00:07:36,440 Speaker 3: practices and dances. I'm going to be able to do 105 00:07:36,520 --> 00:07:39,320 Speaker 3: prayer at dinner time with you instead of on Facebook 106 00:07:39,480 --> 00:07:45,720 Speaker 3: or FaceTime, bedtime books. And so this was the hardest 107 00:07:45,720 --> 00:07:48,800 Speaker 3: paragraph for me because this is why I'm leaving, and 108 00:07:49,360 --> 00:07:51,160 Speaker 3: I have one more paragraph, but I would tell my 109 00:07:51,240 --> 00:07:54,720 Speaker 3: peers I want to come here and be the tough guy, 110 00:07:54,760 --> 00:07:59,040 Speaker 3: but we're all human and we all have family, and 111 00:07:59,080 --> 00:08:02,960 Speaker 3: I encourage you guys to think about the sacrifices that 112 00:08:03,000 --> 00:08:06,160 Speaker 3: you make here because God wants me to be a 113 00:08:06,240 --> 00:08:08,840 Speaker 3: husband and a dad right now, and I'm going to 114 00:08:08,880 --> 00:08:13,000 Speaker 3: miss this place so much, but it makes it easier 115 00:08:13,120 --> 00:08:15,880 Speaker 3: knowing that I'm going to do the things that I 116 00:08:15,920 --> 00:08:18,320 Speaker 3: think God wants me to do, and that my wife 117 00:08:18,400 --> 00:08:23,000 Speaker 3: needs me to do and my children need so While 118 00:08:23,040 --> 00:08:25,240 Speaker 3: I'm sad to go and I'm very emotional about it, 119 00:08:25,480 --> 00:08:27,240 Speaker 3: I want to share with my peers that if you're 120 00:08:27,240 --> 00:08:29,520 Speaker 3: ever thinking about this and you're having a hard time 121 00:08:29,520 --> 00:08:33,320 Speaker 3: with it, I would tell you pick family first, because 122 00:08:33,360 --> 00:08:35,320 Speaker 3: someone else is going to come do this and they're 123 00:08:35,360 --> 00:08:38,960 Speaker 3: going to do it well. Members. As my role in 124 00:08:38,960 --> 00:08:41,800 Speaker 3: this Chamber is coming to an end, I do intend 125 00:08:41,880 --> 00:08:44,840 Speaker 3: to finish this entire term, so I have another nineteen months, 126 00:08:45,000 --> 00:08:47,920 Speaker 3: so if we have a special session, we'll be here again. 127 00:08:48,960 --> 00:08:51,480 Speaker 3: I hope you recognize that each of the decisions you 128 00:08:51,520 --> 00:08:53,880 Speaker 3: make will affect me and my family when I'm gone. 129 00:08:54,679 --> 00:08:57,559 Speaker 3: My prayer is that this chamber recognizes all that Texas 130 00:08:57,600 --> 00:09:00,120 Speaker 3: needs from you and that you never take for and 131 00:09:00,280 --> 00:09:03,160 Speaker 3: the immense honor and responsibility that comes with serving in 132 00:09:03,200 --> 00:09:06,079 Speaker 3: the Texas House. Thank you to my family, and thank 133 00:09:06,120 --> 00:09:25,400 Speaker 3: the members, and thank you the speaker. 134 00:09:17,880 --> 00:09:19,199 Speaker 2: Mister Speaker, Ms pless It. 135 00:09:19,280 --> 00:09:22,080 Speaker 5: For what purpose may we ask that the address by 136 00:09:22,160 --> 00:09:25,640 Speaker 5: Representative Tenderholt be reduced to writing and placed in the journal. 137 00:09:25,880 --> 00:09:27,920 Speaker 2: Members, you've heard the motions, their objections to adopt some 138 00:09:27,960 --> 00:09:32,480 Speaker 2: motion chairs on order. Chare recognizes, mister toath. 139 00:09:33,840 --> 00:09:34,800 Speaker 3: Tony. I just want to. 140 00:09:36,880 --> 00:09:39,600 Speaker 6: Expend extend my gratitude to you for the leader that 141 00:09:39,640 --> 00:09:42,400 Speaker 6: you've been in the group of leaders that you've raised up. 142 00:09:43,880 --> 00:09:49,320 Speaker 6: And I'll draw from you and Schaeffer combat veterans that 143 00:09:50,080 --> 00:09:53,240 Speaker 6: there is no more difficult place to maintain your character 144 00:09:53,280 --> 00:09:56,400 Speaker 6: and integrity and courage than this house. 145 00:09:57,080 --> 00:09:58,199 Speaker 3: And someone one said, you. 146 00:09:58,120 --> 00:09:59,959 Speaker 6: Don't really know the flavor of tea until you drive 147 00:10:00,160 --> 00:10:02,200 Speaker 6: in hot water. And this is the most scalding hot 148 00:10:02,200 --> 00:10:03,360 Speaker 6: water you'll ever be dropped in? 149 00:10:03,800 --> 00:10:05,080 Speaker 3: Is that true? 150 00:10:06,480 --> 00:10:09,440 Speaker 6: But you've always done it with kindness and gratitude, with 151 00:10:09,520 --> 00:10:13,280 Speaker 6: a great spirit. You've never discontinued to fight. You fought 152 00:10:13,360 --> 00:10:17,080 Speaker 6: hard through this entire session, a session where we really 153 00:10:17,080 --> 00:10:20,760 Speaker 6: should have yielded more for our constituents. But what we 154 00:10:20,840 --> 00:10:24,520 Speaker 6: did yield, we did it because of your leadership in 155 00:10:24,559 --> 00:10:26,440 Speaker 6: the new group of freshmen that we have coming in 156 00:10:26,520 --> 00:10:30,520 Speaker 6: after you are going to serve texas well. God bless you, buddy, 157 00:10:30,520 --> 00:10:31,400 Speaker 6: God speed. 158 00:10:31,720 --> 00:10:32,040 Speaker 3: Thank you. 159 00:10:34,480 --> 00:10:36,480 Speaker 2: The Chair recognizes mister Shecht's line. 160 00:10:37,520 --> 00:10:42,400 Speaker 7: Tony, The first vote I ever took in this chamber 161 00:10:43,200 --> 00:10:48,480 Speaker 7: was to vote for you to be speaker, and we 162 00:10:48,480 --> 00:10:51,960 Speaker 7: were only seventy three votes away. 163 00:10:53,679 --> 00:10:54,920 Speaker 2: We were so close. 164 00:10:56,800 --> 00:11:00,360 Speaker 7: I am so immensely proud to be your friend. I 165 00:11:00,360 --> 00:11:03,160 Speaker 7: think for the body to hear what you see is 166 00:11:03,240 --> 00:11:07,080 Speaker 7: Tony fighting every day for conservative values and it's honorable. 167 00:11:07,520 --> 00:11:10,160 Speaker 7: You're a champion. You're a champion for the state of Texas. 168 00:11:10,320 --> 00:11:12,560 Speaker 7: But what you don't know is the first questions that 169 00:11:12,640 --> 00:11:15,920 Speaker 7: Tony asked me was have you called your wife today? 170 00:11:15,960 --> 00:11:18,360 Speaker 7: And how have you called and facetimed your kids today? 171 00:11:18,640 --> 00:11:22,960 Speaker 7: And the last question you asked me today yesterday, what 172 00:11:23,160 --> 00:11:25,800 Speaker 7: have you called your wife and have you reached out 173 00:11:25,800 --> 00:11:29,400 Speaker 7: to your kids? It's the most important thing in your life. 174 00:11:29,559 --> 00:11:33,280 Speaker 7: I'm so proud, so proud to be your friend. You're 175 00:11:33,320 --> 00:11:36,040 Speaker 7: a fighter for Texas, but more importantly, you're an amazing 176 00:11:36,120 --> 00:11:38,160 Speaker 7: husband and a father, and I love you, my friend. 177 00:11:43,200 --> 00:11:45,160 Speaker 2: The chair recognizes Miss Garcia. 178 00:11:44,840 --> 00:11:54,439 Speaker 8: Barry, Representative Tenderhole. I just wanted to use this opportunity 179 00:11:54,440 --> 00:11:57,240 Speaker 8: as a message for our body as well. I remember 180 00:11:57,280 --> 00:11:59,320 Speaker 8: when I first came in here as a freshman last 181 00:11:59,360 --> 00:12:01,199 Speaker 8: session as. 182 00:12:01,080 --> 00:12:02,080 Speaker 4: A woman veteran. 183 00:12:02,120 --> 00:12:04,080 Speaker 8: There aren't many of us that are here that are 184 00:12:04,160 --> 00:12:07,600 Speaker 8: veterans and just trying to figure out how to navigate 185 00:12:07,840 --> 00:12:12,240 Speaker 8: a partisan world because as military we don't understand the 186 00:12:13,520 --> 00:12:16,880 Speaker 8: separation when it comes to protecting and serving and defending 187 00:12:16,880 --> 00:12:18,720 Speaker 8: our constitution and our people. 188 00:12:20,040 --> 00:12:21,000 Speaker 4: When I came here. 189 00:12:21,120 --> 00:12:25,600 Speaker 8: You know, some things are are synonymous with military. Those 190 00:12:25,600 --> 00:12:32,319 Speaker 8: things could be, you know, operation just cause al Qaeda 191 00:12:32,800 --> 00:12:36,200 Speaker 8: isis you name it. We can name those things off 192 00:12:36,240 --> 00:12:39,240 Speaker 8: of the tip of our tongues because we're true Americans 193 00:12:39,280 --> 00:12:40,520 Speaker 8: who believe in our mission. 194 00:12:41,280 --> 00:12:43,080 Speaker 4: And one of those names. 195 00:12:42,760 --> 00:12:44,559 Speaker 8: That came off the tip of the tongue here in 196 00:12:44,600 --> 00:12:48,360 Speaker 8: the legislature was a tender Holt. Now, when I got here, 197 00:12:48,400 --> 00:12:51,200 Speaker 8: I had no idea what a tender Holt was, but 198 00:12:51,360 --> 00:12:54,480 Speaker 8: folks warned me about the tenderhold. He said, Josie, you 199 00:12:54,520 --> 00:12:57,959 Speaker 8: are an activist, You are a protester the tender hope. 200 00:12:58,000 --> 00:13:01,280 Speaker 4: He will not like you. And I believed it. 201 00:13:01,160 --> 00:13:05,640 Speaker 8: Because my first week here there was the tenderhole and 202 00:13:05,720 --> 00:13:08,520 Speaker 8: he was running for speaker and he was calling these 203 00:13:08,559 --> 00:13:11,160 Speaker 8: things points of orders that I hadn't learned much about. 204 00:13:11,800 --> 00:13:16,840 Speaker 8: But I was intrigued because he looked so stoic. That 205 00:13:17,040 --> 00:13:22,120 Speaker 8: faced that screams fear into the hearts of many legislators 206 00:13:22,160 --> 00:13:23,199 Speaker 8: on this floor. 207 00:13:24,520 --> 00:13:26,920 Speaker 4: Spoke military to me. 208 00:13:28,760 --> 00:13:30,920 Speaker 8: When I saw his face, I saw a soldier. 209 00:13:32,360 --> 00:13:33,240 Speaker 4: So I walked up. 210 00:13:33,120 --> 00:13:35,320 Speaker 8: To him one day right over here, I remember, and 211 00:13:35,360 --> 00:13:37,200 Speaker 8: I just went up to him and I said, hi, sir, 212 00:13:37,240 --> 00:13:40,280 Speaker 8: I'm Josie and he said, oh, hello, and he smiled. 213 00:13:40,440 --> 00:13:42,480 Speaker 8: I was like, okay, there's step one. He can smile. 214 00:13:43,600 --> 00:13:48,040 Speaker 8: Step two was I said, I'm also military. My husband's 215 00:13:48,080 --> 00:13:51,079 Speaker 8: a purple Heart veteran, and I'm also combat veteran. From 216 00:13:51,120 --> 00:13:56,080 Speaker 8: that day, I take every opportunity that I can when 217 00:13:56,080 --> 00:14:02,160 Speaker 8: people ask me who is your favorite Republican and I 218 00:14:02,240 --> 00:14:06,880 Speaker 8: tell people it is Tony Tenderholt, and the shock that 219 00:14:07,120 --> 00:14:10,320 Speaker 8: is on people's faces and their hearts and their minds. 220 00:14:11,040 --> 00:14:14,440 Speaker 8: But you all, I want you to know this because 221 00:14:14,440 --> 00:14:19,560 Speaker 8: we're Texans. Tony Tenderholt is a man who was a 222 00:14:19,560 --> 00:14:22,800 Speaker 8: part of Operation just Caused, a story that I read 223 00:14:22,800 --> 00:14:26,320 Speaker 8: about in the Encyclopedia Britannica And for those of you 224 00:14:26,480 --> 00:14:30,480 Speaker 8: who are younger, the Encyclopedia Britannica is the websites on 225 00:14:30,600 --> 00:14:37,400 Speaker 8: book form. This man has worked in almost every counter 226 00:14:37,480 --> 00:14:41,840 Speaker 8: terrorism operation in the modern century. 227 00:14:42,400 --> 00:14:43,520 Speaker 4: Now, when I tell you. 228 00:14:43,400 --> 00:14:47,040 Speaker 8: That we are losing a real American hero here today, 229 00:14:47,880 --> 00:14:56,280 Speaker 8: I mean that I'm so sad to see you go, 230 00:14:58,000 --> 00:15:00,360 Speaker 8: but thank you for your service. Major tenderhol. 231 00:15:07,200 --> 00:15:09,760 Speaker 2: The chair recognizes Miss Jones of Harris. 232 00:15:18,360 --> 00:15:26,920 Speaker 4: So as a Democrat, So as a Democrat who is overwhelmed. 233 00:15:26,960 --> 00:15:31,080 Speaker 9: There's eighty eight Republicans and there are sixty two Democrats, 234 00:15:31,880 --> 00:15:36,880 Speaker 9: and this is a very tough place. But the beautiful 235 00:15:36,880 --> 00:15:42,000 Speaker 9: thing about America is we're entitled to our beliefs and 236 00:15:42,080 --> 00:15:44,240 Speaker 9: we have to respect that. And all of us here 237 00:15:44,480 --> 00:15:47,080 Speaker 9: were elected by our constituents. 238 00:15:49,000 --> 00:15:51,960 Speaker 4: Last session, Tony. 239 00:15:51,680 --> 00:15:54,360 Speaker 9: And I officed across from each other, and almost we 240 00:15:54,480 --> 00:15:57,080 Speaker 9: never really spoke to each other that much, except that 241 00:15:57,120 --> 00:15:58,960 Speaker 9: I know his wife's favorite colors pink. 242 00:15:58,720 --> 00:16:03,680 Speaker 4: And is my favorite color two. But this session. 243 00:16:05,080 --> 00:16:10,560 Speaker 9: I got the opportunity to meet Tony, and I learned 244 00:16:10,640 --> 00:16:13,160 Speaker 9: very quickly as a Democrat that I better find some 245 00:16:13,200 --> 00:16:15,920 Speaker 9: Republican friends otherwise none of my stuff was going to 246 00:16:15,960 --> 00:16:21,680 Speaker 9: get passed. And I also found out that Tony has 247 00:16:21,720 --> 00:16:27,160 Speaker 9: a group of Republicans who follow him religiously, and so 248 00:16:27,280 --> 00:16:29,120 Speaker 9: if I wanted to try to get the votes I 249 00:16:29,160 --> 00:16:32,800 Speaker 9: needed to get to pass any of my bills, presuming 250 00:16:32,840 --> 00:16:35,520 Speaker 9: all sixty two Democrats voted for it, which isn't always 251 00:16:36,320 --> 00:16:39,280 Speaker 9: the case, that I better go talk to Tony. So 252 00:16:40,120 --> 00:16:43,480 Speaker 9: on HB four thirteen, Tony was I was talking to 253 00:16:43,480 --> 00:16:45,920 Speaker 9: the Republicans I knew, like, hey, where are you guys 254 00:16:45,920 --> 00:16:48,200 Speaker 9: on this? And they were like, well, Tony's against it 255 00:16:48,280 --> 00:16:50,800 Speaker 9: and whatever he says, I'm doing and I won't tell 256 00:16:50,840 --> 00:16:54,440 Speaker 9: who that person is, So you better go talk to Tony. 257 00:16:55,040 --> 00:16:59,360 Speaker 4: And what I learned about Tony that I think. 258 00:16:59,160 --> 00:17:02,120 Speaker 9: A lot of us can learn and from is that 259 00:17:02,200 --> 00:17:03,920 Speaker 9: he can be in a position, but if you talk 260 00:17:04,000 --> 00:17:08,160 Speaker 9: to him and you give him facts and figures, he 261 00:17:08,280 --> 00:17:11,080 Speaker 9: literally will He's not gonna answer you quickly, so you 262 00:17:11,119 --> 00:17:14,280 Speaker 9: can't bully him, and he'll tell you he's gonna think 263 00:17:14,320 --> 00:17:16,840 Speaker 9: about it and come back to him, and that's what 264 00:17:16,880 --> 00:17:18,840 Speaker 9: you better do. You better not try to harass him 265 00:17:18,840 --> 00:17:21,720 Speaker 9: because that is never gonna work. And then you come 266 00:17:21,720 --> 00:17:24,240 Speaker 9: back when he told you to come back, and if 267 00:17:24,240 --> 00:17:25,000 Speaker 9: he is for. 268 00:17:24,840 --> 00:17:25,840 Speaker 4: You, he will be for you. 269 00:17:25,920 --> 00:17:30,960 Speaker 9: He will change his position, which is exactly what he did. 270 00:17:31,840 --> 00:17:34,439 Speaker 4: And I know the people that follow him listen to 271 00:17:34,480 --> 00:17:35,240 Speaker 4: him immediately. 272 00:17:35,320 --> 00:17:37,680 Speaker 9: He's got a system set up that somebody needs to 273 00:17:37,760 --> 00:17:40,040 Speaker 9: duplicate because imitation is. 274 00:17:39,960 --> 00:17:41,280 Speaker 4: The highest form of flattery. 275 00:17:41,960 --> 00:17:45,720 Speaker 9: Because when he decided that he was going to switch 276 00:17:45,760 --> 00:17:48,680 Speaker 9: his position on HB four thirteen, which is that you've 277 00:17:48,720 --> 00:17:51,679 Speaker 9: already served your time, Deill, he literally sent out a 278 00:17:51,760 --> 00:17:56,320 Speaker 9: bat wave or something, and by the time I walk 279 00:17:56,400 --> 00:18:00,000 Speaker 9: back to my desk, the people who believe in him 280 00:17:59,600 --> 00:18:02,240 Speaker 9: and who follow him were like, Okay, Tony changed his mind. 281 00:18:02,240 --> 00:18:02,760 Speaker 4: We're with you. 282 00:18:03,920 --> 00:18:07,080 Speaker 9: And not only did he do that, because sometimes it's 283 00:18:07,080 --> 00:18:11,240 Speaker 9: hard in this place, especially if you're it's my understanding 284 00:18:11,280 --> 00:18:13,720 Speaker 9: that with Republicans a scorecard is. 285 00:18:13,359 --> 00:18:16,840 Speaker 4: Really important, and you might not even vote for good 286 00:18:16,840 --> 00:18:19,399 Speaker 4: bills if you think it's going to lower your scorecard score. 287 00:18:21,040 --> 00:18:25,359 Speaker 9: But Tony is courageous. He doesn't care, and he says, 288 00:18:25,400 --> 00:18:26,960 Speaker 9: you know what, I'm gonna do a lot of people 289 00:18:27,000 --> 00:18:30,080 Speaker 9: don't understand your bill. I'm gonna go to the back mic. 290 00:18:30,880 --> 00:18:33,920 Speaker 9: And so I know that people thought hell froze over 291 00:18:35,600 --> 00:18:37,800 Speaker 9: when tenderholt and he was paying attention, I didn't have 292 00:18:37,840 --> 00:18:40,320 Speaker 9: to go tell him. He charged to the back like 293 00:18:40,359 --> 00:18:43,359 Speaker 9: I guess soldiers do, and he was like, I'm gonna 294 00:18:43,359 --> 00:18:44,919 Speaker 9: just cut to the chase and I'm gonna save you 295 00:18:44,960 --> 00:18:48,480 Speaker 9: some time. And he explained HB four thirteen, which is 296 00:18:48,520 --> 00:18:51,240 Speaker 9: now sitting on the Governor's desk. And so I just 297 00:18:51,280 --> 00:18:54,840 Speaker 9: want to thank Tony because that is actually criminal justice reform. 298 00:18:55,240 --> 00:18:58,879 Speaker 9: Senator Huffman carried it on the other side, and so 299 00:18:59,040 --> 00:19:01,240 Speaker 9: I respect the Republican that Tony is. 300 00:19:01,320 --> 00:19:02,480 Speaker 4: We don't agree on everything. 301 00:19:03,080 --> 00:19:05,920 Speaker 9: In fact, most times we don't agree with each other, 302 00:19:07,000 --> 00:19:09,320 Speaker 9: but in this place, we've got to figure out a 303 00:19:09,359 --> 00:19:11,960 Speaker 9: way to find common ground. Whatever that common ground is, 304 00:19:12,000 --> 00:19:14,440 Speaker 9: it may not be a lot, but that's what's gonna 305 00:19:14,440 --> 00:19:17,399 Speaker 9: be best for Texas. So I will miss you, Tony, 306 00:19:17,560 --> 00:19:19,480 Speaker 9: and now I've just got to figure out who's got. 307 00:19:19,320 --> 00:19:21,640 Speaker 4: Influence like you do. 308 00:19:22,560 --> 00:19:25,800 Speaker 9: Moving forward, I mean, if I stay here. So anyway, 309 00:19:25,880 --> 00:19:27,560 Speaker 9: thank you. I'm really glad to know you. 310 00:19:30,080 --> 00:19:31,520 Speaker 4: Thank you for exciting. 311 00:19:33,920 --> 00:19:41,320 Speaker 2: The chair recognized this, Miss Marilla Shaw, Thank you, mister speaker. 312 00:19:41,400 --> 00:19:46,560 Speaker 10: Members, Tony, you've made a hard decision today, but I 313 00:19:46,600 --> 00:19:50,080 Speaker 10: know that it's one that you've thought out and that 314 00:19:50,160 --> 00:19:52,360 Speaker 10: you feel good, and it sits in your heart right. 315 00:19:53,040 --> 00:19:55,720 Speaker 10: I know that because five years ago, when I was 316 00:19:55,760 --> 00:19:58,640 Speaker 10: a new member, I went down my hall to meet 317 00:19:58,680 --> 00:20:02,400 Speaker 10: my hall neighbor and I was fortunate that you were 318 00:20:02,400 --> 00:20:05,360 Speaker 10: there with your children and your wife, and we had 319 00:20:05,359 --> 00:20:08,679 Speaker 10: a good conversation. And I'm glad that we have that 320 00:20:08,760 --> 00:20:12,320 Speaker 10: conversation that day because ever since then, I've known that 321 00:20:12,359 --> 00:20:14,400 Speaker 10: if Tony got up to the mic front or back, 322 00:20:15,040 --> 00:20:18,480 Speaker 10: that he has researched, he has thought out, and he 323 00:20:18,600 --> 00:20:21,760 Speaker 10: has come to a good conclusion about what he's talking about. 324 00:20:22,119 --> 00:20:24,800 Speaker 10: And therefore I could always rely on the words that 325 00:20:24,960 --> 00:20:29,560 Speaker 10: came out of his mouth to be worth considering strongly. 326 00:20:31,320 --> 00:20:31,800 Speaker 4: You have. 327 00:20:33,280 --> 00:20:39,439 Speaker 10: Brought integrity, responsibility, and just thoughtful consideration to this body 328 00:20:40,480 --> 00:20:43,880 Speaker 10: and you have been Thank you for making it easy 329 00:20:44,000 --> 00:20:47,960 Speaker 10: to work with you, and you have made the Texas 330 00:20:48,000 --> 00:20:51,560 Speaker 10: House a better place because of your presence, and I 331 00:20:51,720 --> 00:20:54,360 Speaker 10: just want to thank you and thank you for being 332 00:20:54,400 --> 00:20:56,800 Speaker 10: a friend. 333 00:20:55,600 --> 00:21:04,840 Speaker 2: Thank you, Chare recognizes, mister Harrison, thank you, mister speaker. 334 00:21:04,880 --> 00:21:09,600 Speaker 5: Members, I just wanted to say thank you Tony Tenderholt 335 00:21:12,280 --> 00:21:18,760 Speaker 5: right there right here, give missus tenderhold around of applause. 336 00:21:18,800 --> 00:21:31,200 Speaker 5: Please let me get right to the point. The state 337 00:21:31,240 --> 00:21:36,320 Speaker 5: of Texas and the Texas House is better because Tony 338 00:21:36,359 --> 00:21:39,840 Speaker 5: Tenderholt served in this chamber, and Tony, in front of 339 00:21:39,880 --> 00:21:41,560 Speaker 5: all these people, I want to say thank you for 340 00:21:41,600 --> 00:21:44,639 Speaker 5: your contribution to the state of Texas. I've been proud 341 00:21:44,640 --> 00:21:47,920 Speaker 5: to serve her people alongside you, and I regret that 342 00:21:47,960 --> 00:21:49,359 Speaker 5: we will not be able to do so in the 343 00:21:49,400 --> 00:21:50,720 Speaker 5: same capacity moving forward. 344 00:21:50,800 --> 00:21:56,080 Speaker 2: Thank you, my friend, mister Dutton, for what purpose. 345 00:21:56,920 --> 00:22:00,639 Speaker 11: I wanted to talk to Tony tenderhope. 346 00:22:00,720 --> 00:22:02,160 Speaker 2: Chare recognizes mister Tenderhole. 347 00:22:02,840 --> 00:22:06,800 Speaker 3: I'll yield for questions question I was going to talk about. 348 00:22:06,560 --> 00:22:11,800 Speaker 11: You, mister speaker. I just want all the members to 349 00:22:11,920 --> 00:22:17,000 Speaker 11: know that all of us come from different backgrounds and 350 00:22:17,000 --> 00:22:19,280 Speaker 11: so it's not a matter of where we are when 351 00:22:19,280 --> 00:22:23,560 Speaker 11: we come. It's a matter of whether or not we grow. 352 00:22:25,080 --> 00:22:28,960 Speaker 11: And I will tell you that I've watched Tony Tenderhole 353 00:22:29,920 --> 00:22:33,600 Speaker 11: when he came to this legislature and now that he's leaving, 354 00:22:34,520 --> 00:22:37,119 Speaker 11: I think there's a message for all of us, and 355 00:22:37,200 --> 00:22:41,880 Speaker 11: that is we should continue to grow, grow in our jobs, 356 00:22:42,000 --> 00:22:46,160 Speaker 11: grow in our perspectives. And I've watched you do that, Tony, 357 00:22:46,280 --> 00:22:48,800 Speaker 11: and I just wanted to say thank you on behalf 358 00:22:48,800 --> 00:22:53,200 Speaker 11: of all the legislators here because I'm number three in 359 00:22:53,320 --> 00:22:58,040 Speaker 11: seniority and I've never seen a legislator grow as much 360 00:22:58,040 --> 00:23:03,439 Speaker 11: as Tony Tenderhole. And so with that, let me congratulate you. 361 00:23:04,280 --> 00:23:08,280 Speaker 11: Let me thank you for setting the pace for all 362 00:23:08,320 --> 00:23:12,040 Speaker 11: of us here so that we can somehow another manage 363 00:23:12,760 --> 00:23:15,840 Speaker 11: to do better for Texas. And I think you've done that, 364 00:23:16,359 --> 00:23:20,359 Speaker 11: and my hat's off to you. Congratulations to you and 365 00:23:20,400 --> 00:23:27,639 Speaker 11: your family, and I'll look forward to the next Tony Tenderholt. 366 00:23:28,480 --> 00:23:30,880 Speaker 3: Well before you leave, I told him, I keep it short, 367 00:23:30,880 --> 00:23:32,359 Speaker 3: but I was going to mention you in my speech, 368 00:23:32,400 --> 00:23:33,880 Speaker 3: and we were trying to keep it shorter. I want 369 00:23:33,880 --> 00:23:38,639 Speaker 3: to share something really brief this session. I wanted to 370 00:23:38,640 --> 00:23:40,640 Speaker 3: teach these freshmen to not make some of the same 371 00:23:40,680 --> 00:23:43,240 Speaker 3: mistakes I may have made early. But you may not 372 00:23:43,359 --> 00:23:45,040 Speaker 3: remember this. You were going to be in the speech 373 00:23:45,640 --> 00:23:47,639 Speaker 3: in my first point of order I ever did. You 374 00:23:47,680 --> 00:23:50,720 Speaker 3: sat right next to me across the aisle, and you 375 00:23:50,760 --> 00:23:52,600 Speaker 3: saw me digging for the point order, and you told 376 00:23:52,640 --> 00:23:54,960 Speaker 3: me it was it was chapter four, and you eventually 377 00:23:54,960 --> 00:23:57,440 Speaker 3: even told me what page. And I leaned over to 378 00:23:57,440 --> 00:23:58,959 Speaker 3: you and I said, why are you doing this for 379 00:23:59,000 --> 00:24:01,800 Speaker 3: me when you're actually this is a point of order 380 00:24:01,800 --> 00:24:05,199 Speaker 3: against stuff that you're supporting. And you told me. We're colleagues, 381 00:24:05,720 --> 00:24:07,439 Speaker 3: and I want you to look smart when you go 382 00:24:07,520 --> 00:24:10,120 Speaker 3: up there, and I beat you now that there's there's 383 00:24:12,040 --> 00:24:14,199 Speaker 3: but there's a lesson in that, right. The lesson is. 384 00:24:14,960 --> 00:24:18,000 Speaker 3: The lesson is you saw democrats come up, you saw Republicans, 385 00:24:18,000 --> 00:24:21,399 Speaker 3: and the lesson is we are colleagues, and we are family, 386 00:24:21,440 --> 00:24:23,800 Speaker 3: and we're going to fight, and we're going to argue, 387 00:24:23,880 --> 00:24:25,480 Speaker 3: and then we're going to go in the members lounge 388 00:24:25,480 --> 00:24:26,959 Speaker 3: and we're gonna make up, and we're going to come 389 00:24:26,960 --> 00:24:30,040 Speaker 3: out and maybe argue or be together. But that was 390 00:24:30,119 --> 00:24:32,359 Speaker 3: one of the very first lessons I learned was from you. 391 00:24:32,359 --> 00:24:35,680 Speaker 3: You taught me how to fight against you. It was 392 00:24:35,720 --> 00:24:37,399 Speaker 3: a bill that you were going to be upfront for 393 00:24:37,560 --> 00:24:39,399 Speaker 3: that I was calling a point of order and you 394 00:24:39,600 --> 00:24:42,240 Speaker 3: taught me and showed me, and you made me look 395 00:24:42,240 --> 00:24:44,919 Speaker 3: on the right page, and you didn't want me to 396 00:24:44,920 --> 00:24:45,560 Speaker 3: look silly. 397 00:24:45,800 --> 00:24:47,919 Speaker 11: Well, thank thank you, Thank you for that. Tony. I 398 00:24:48,000 --> 00:24:49,679 Speaker 11: just I just wanted you to grow to be the 399 00:24:49,720 --> 00:24:50,480 Speaker 11: Tony tend to. 400 00:24:50,400 --> 00:24:53,000 Speaker 3: Hope you are well. Thank you. I appreciate you well. 401 00:24:53,040 --> 00:24:57,920 Speaker 11: Thank you, Tony. Thank you for your service here. 402 00:24:57,920 --> 00:25:01,760 Speaker 3: It is that love and respect everybody. 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