By Juan Montoya
Today Brownsville is the host to a U.S. Congressional delegation tour and its members will use their time to make a fact-finding tour to investigate the state of voting rights and to commemorate Black History Month in a city that was the site of the infamous Brownsville Affair where Buffalo Soldiers were involved in an incident that resulted in their dishonorable discharge by President Theodore Roosevelt.
The congressional members are being hosted by U.S. Rep. Filemon Vela. The delegation is comprised of House Majority Whip Rep. Jim Clyburn, Rep. Ben Ray Lujan, Assistant Speaker of the House, Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson, Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, Rep. Marcia Fudge, Rep. Henry Cuellar, Rep. Marc Veasey, and Rep. Vincente Gonzalez.
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Since 1845, Texas has a history of voting discrimination against African American and Latino citizens. The members of the congressional delegation say Texas must establish equal access to voting. Currently, only 68 percent of eligible voters are registered in Texas and state restrictions on third party registration, such as the Volunteer Deputy Registrar program, exacerbate the systemic disenfranchisement of minority communities.
Following the U.S. Supreme Court’s Decision in Shelby County v. Holder in 2013, which eliminated pre-clearance requirements under the Voting Rights Act, hundreds of polling locations closed in Texas—significantly more in number and percentage than any other state.
In addition, the Texas Election Code only requires a 72-hour notice of polling location changes. These are just a few examples of the erosion of equal access to voting. It is imperative, they say, that our electorate actually reflects the priorities and diversity of our communities.
Early today they visited the Brownsville Heritage Museum where they heard Dr. Tony Zavaleta present an historical overview of The Brownsville Raid. Zavaleta is a member of one of the 13 founding families of northern Mexico.
He was appointed to two Federal commissions by Presidents Reagan and Obama and he served two terms on the Brownsville City Commission followed by a term on the City of Brownsville Civil Service Commission.
Later, they were led on a walking tour through the city by Dr. Anthony Knopp, highlighting key Brownsville Raid landmarks and other historical sites along the way.
This evening, Vela will introduce members and honored guests for a ceremony honoring African Americans who have contributed to Brownsville and the Rio Grande Valley.
Among those African-Americans to be honored will be: James Belt, Jesse Benton, Dr. Twana Cooks-Allen, Donald Hamm, Brian McDonald, George McShan, Dr. Deloria Nanze-Davis, Dr. Eugene Nunnery, Mittie A. Pullam, Dr. Charles Rurangirwa, Sessia Wyche, and Gary West.
The recognition ceremony will be held at 5 p.m. at the Cameron County Dancy Building.
Today Brownsville is the host to a U.S. Congressional delegation tour and its members will use their time to make a fact-finding tour to investigate the state of voting rights and to commemorate Black History Month in a city that was the site of the infamous Brownsville Affair where Buffalo Soldiers were involved in an incident that resulted in their dishonorable discharge by President Theodore Roosevelt.
The congressional members are being hosted by U.S. Rep. Filemon Vela. The delegation is comprised of House Majority Whip Rep. Jim Clyburn, Rep. Ben Ray Lujan, Assistant Speaker of the House, Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson, Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, Rep. Marcia Fudge, Rep. Henry Cuellar, Rep. Marc Veasey, and Rep. Vincente Gonzalez.
Since 1845, Texas has a history of voting discrimination against African American and Latino citizens. The members of the congressional delegation say Texas must establish equal access to voting. Currently, only 68 percent of eligible voters are registered in Texas and state restrictions on third party registration, such as the Volunteer Deputy Registrar program, exacerbate the systemic disenfranchisement of minority communities.In addition, the Texas Election Code only requires a 72-hour notice of polling location changes. These are just a few examples of the erosion of equal access to voting. It is imperative, they say, that our electorate actually reflects the priorities and diversity of our communities.
Early today they visited the Brownsville Heritage Museum where they heard Dr. Tony Zavaleta present an historical overview of The Brownsville Raid. Zavaleta is a member of one of the 13 founding families of northern Mexico.
He was appointed to two Federal commissions by Presidents Reagan and Obama and he served two terms on the Brownsville City Commission followed by a term on the City of Brownsville Civil Service Commission.
Later, they were led on a walking tour through the city by Dr. Anthony Knopp, highlighting key Brownsville Raid landmarks and other historical sites along the way.
Knopp has offered graduate seminars on the American Revolution and has taught a variety of courses on Mexican and border history. He has coauthored several books on border and local history, including Boom and Bust: The Historical Cycles of Matamoros and Brownsville and Portrait of a Border City: Brownsville, Texas. He is a board member and past president of the Brownsville Historical Association.
Among those African-Americans to be honored will be: James Belt, Jesse Benton, Dr. Twana Cooks-Allen, Donald Hamm, Brian McDonald, George McShan, Dr. Deloria Nanze-Davis, Dr. Eugene Nunnery, Mittie A. Pullam, Dr. Charles Rurangirwa, Sessia Wyche, and Gary West.
The recognition ceremony will be held at 5 p.m. at the Cameron County Dancy Building.