Shelby+Denison

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**Representative-** I share beliefs with Connecticut Senator Joe Lieberman. Senator Lieberman was very influential in upgrading our national security database to prevent terrorist acts. He got all of the agencies to share information. I think it's so important that any and all law enforcers should be able to access the same information on potential terrorist threats. I am very concerned about our environment and protecting our National Parks. Senator Lieberman introduced the American Power Act in 2010. This act was to create new jobs by developing alternative energy in the US. It, also, helps protect us from further global warming effects, and promotes energy independence. The Act was supposed to promote alternative energy but not at the expense of our land and environment. Protecting our environment and land is always the priority. ======

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**Endorsement-** I will endorse President Obama for a second term because I feel I am more of a democrat. I feel moderately towards a lot of political issues. The Republicans seem to have very clear cut ideas on not helping the poor or helping the environment. The believe that big businesses should be able to make as much money as they want at any expense. Their money will then trickle down the economy and we should all benefit from this. I don't think it is as simple as that but I don't like their ideas. The Democrats seem to have a more moderate or "gray" feelings on issues. ======


 * @HB64 **
 * Say "NO" in National Parks **

The main goal of our bill is to keep smoking, drugs, and alcohol out of all parts of the national parks. This will help keep crime out of our national parks. This will also decrease the chances of cigarettes and cigars lighting wildfires. The amount of litter in the national parks will decrease from this ban. The animals in the park will be healthier because they do not have the risk of accidentally ingesting drugs, alcohol, or other unsafe chemicals. The air will be cleaner and healthier for the animals in the park and visitors. The park as a whole will be better because the animals will be healthier, the air will be cleaner, the environment will be cleaner, and the people in the park will be able to enjoy the park, free from distractions.

Our bill will create cleaner and healthier National Parks. We will accomplish this by banning smoking, alcohol, and drugs out of the parks decreasing litter, forest fires and the risk of animals getting sick. People will be able to enjoy the parks without having smoke in their face or cigarette buds on the ground. The 90% of cigarette litter in parks will be eliminated. Also, the amount of crime in the parks will effectively drop.

**Interesting Facts- **

 * 1) ======The world’s first rodeo was held in Pecos, Texas, on July 4, 1883. ======
 * 2) ======More land is farmed in Texas than in any other state. ======
 * 3) ======The population of Texas is 24 million, not including the 16 million cattle. ======
 * 4) ======Six flags have flown over Texas: ======


 * ======Spanish 1519-1685 ======
 * ====== French 1685-1690 ======
 * ======Spanish 1690-1821 ======
 * ======Mexican 1821-1836 ======
 * ======Republic of Texas 1836-1845 ======
 * ======<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">United States 1845-1861 ======
 * ======<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Confederate States 1861-1865 ======
 * ======<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">United States 1865 to present ======

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<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;"> 5. The Amarillo airport has the 3rd largest runway in the world and is designated as an alternate landing site for the space shuttle. =====

**<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Reasons to visit Texas- **

 * 1) ======<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Texas has a rich history including the Alamo and the Mexican-American War. Visiting historical sites is a must in Texas. ======
 * 2) ======<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">There are more than 600 miles of beautiful beach in Texas to draw in water loving tourists and shore bird watchers. ======
 * 3) ======<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">With over 800,000 acres of land, Big Bend National Park is a must for all visitors to Texas. You will be able to see canyons, jungles and deserts all within one beautiful park. ======
 * 4) ======<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;"> If you are lucky enough to get to Dallas during the football season, the new Dallas Cowboys stadium to a site to behold. It has all the latest technology and is truly a fans stadium. ======
 * 5) ======<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Numerous ranches and rodeos are located throughout Texas for tourists to come and stay and experience the true cowboy culture of Texas. ======

**<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">3 Largest employers- **

 * ======<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Dell inc. - located in Round Rock, 21,000 employees making personal computers ======
 * ======<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Lock Heed Martin, in Fort Worth has 10,500 employees who focus on defense contracts, weapons and aircraft. ======
 * ======<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Texas Instruments in Dallas has 9,000 employees engaging in small electronics like our calculators we use in school. ======

**<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Issues- **

 * 1) ======<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">The National Park Service (NPS) has proposed construction of a new, 10-mile mountain biking trail in Big Bend National Park that would cut across currently undeveloped backcountry and undisturbed habitat in the park, northeast of Panther Junction. The Sierra Club as well as many other environmental watch groups have expressed great concerns that this biking trail will threaten the wild nature of the park. Many argue the trail is not necessary as there are numerous dirt roads already in place within the park. They say risking the pure wilderness designation of this portion of the park does not outweigh the benefits of the trails. This is a heated argument currently underway in Texas with many national groups getting involved. The environmental importance of the US National Parks system has become a huge issue. Their importance is never questioned but their preservation is. ======
 * 2) ======<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">The Texas-Mexico border makes up 1,254 miles of the 1,900 mile long US - Mexico border. It goes that this issue and how the border is managed and monitored is a constant hot topic in Texas as well as the US. Presently over 1200 National Guard troops assist in the surveillance of the border. President Obama has announced that he plans to scale those troops back to no more than 300. Many are very concerned that this will open the borders to more violence. The plan is based on the idea that another means of border control should be planned for without the use of military personnel. Obama feels monitoring our borders using the military displays a "militarized zone" and can hinder future agreements and negotiations with the Mexican government. Right or wrong, this debate is heated and no definite alternate plan has been agreed upon to manage the border. ======
 * 3) ======<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Texas is second only to California in undocumented immigrants living in the state. Over the past few years there are heated arguments, on both sides of politics, as how to handle the known 1 million illegal immigrants that presently live and work in the state of Texas. The basics of the argument is whether to allow these existing immigrants to rightfully gain full resident immigration status so they can start paying their taxes and become contributing US citizens. On the other hand, some believe these immigrants should be located and deported back to Mexico to set an example for anyone else thinking of jumping the fence and getting into the US. The effects of either extreme decision will be felt all over the state and our country. Many lower paying jobs are currently done by Mexican illegals. Jobs that would otherwise be empty because no US citizen will work for that wage or want to do that job. How would that effect our economy? If we grant them full resident status, how will that prevent more Mexicans from trying to invade the borders? This arguments has been going on for decades but the heated argument has been around since 2006 and there are still no decisions. ======

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 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Sources- **