Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Statement from U.S. Congressman Solomon P. Ortiz on the recount in the 27th Congressional District of Texas Race



This afternoon, the manual recount of votes cast in the race for U.S. Representative of the 27th District of Texas was concluded. After a careful, tedious and meticulous manual recount in six South Texas counties, each candidate gained a handful of votes. I continue to stress the importance of ensuring every vote was counted and every person’s voice was heard. I decided to request a recount after many of my supporters and constituents contacted me and asked me to do so. I carried on with their request to ensure the integrity of the election was not compromised.

Today that process was completed as we recounted more than 106,000 votes in San Patricio, Nueces, Kleberg, Kenedy, Willacy and Cameron Counties. Although I gained votes during the manual recount, I did not surpass my opponent’s lead. Therefore, with great respect and admiration in the Democratic process, I congratulate my opponent, Mr. R. Blake Farenthold, in his election to the 27th Congressional District of Texas in the U.S. House of Representatives.

I wish him well. I ask Mr. Farenthold, as I have done so for the past 27 years, to represent every one of his constituents in this Congressional District. I respectfully urge him to continue to: spur economic growth in South Texas; reduce the unemployment rate; help working families succeed; provide affordable health care for all Americans; secure our U.S.-Mexico border from violence and drug war; and ensure America can continue to be a land of freedom, opportunity and prosperity for all. Again, I wish him good luck.

To my supporters, those who have been with me since I was first elected to office in 1964 at the age of 27, from the very bottom of my heart, I thank you for standing by me and with me through it all. Words cannot tell how much I appreciate the love and support you have show me and my family over the years. Thank you for the good memories and endless accomplishments; thank you for your vote of confidence and for believing in me; thank you for your love and words of encouragement.

As this process comes to an end, I am at ease and peace with myself, my family, my colleagues in Congress, my constituents, life and most importantly, I am at ease with God. I truly believe that through our work and significant contributions during my years of service in Congress, we leave South Texas better than before.

I leave the national stage, certain of having done the right thing for those I represented. In the thousands of votes I cast in Congress for the 27th Congressional District of Texas, time and time again, I voted as my constituents asked me to do so. But just as important, I voted with my heart and for the best interest of all the people and communities I have had the pleasure of representing. I stand behind each and every one of those votes today and always will.

I end this campaign – and my public service – with a favorite verse from poet Robert Frost’s ‘The Road Not Taken’.

“I shall be telling this with a sigh

“Somewhere ages and ages hence:

“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—

“I took the one less traveled by,

“And that has made all the difference.”

It certainly has made all the difference.

U.S. Congressman Solomon P. Ortiz

27th Congressional District of Texas

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

andddddd its finally over! we can all finally move on from the slaughter of election 2010

Anonymous said...

i wonder how Blake will do. Spoon fed, but maybe it'll be better than 27 yrs of dictator reign

Anonymous said...

THE SOLOMON MACHINE IS DEAD!!!

Anonymous said...

it is such a waste for me to post. at if you would allow the opposing side to defend themselves. but then that pays the bills.

Anonymous said...

"Sweetest Girl (Dollar Bill)"
(feat. Akon, Lil Wayne, Niia)

[Intro:]
[Niia]
ah ah ah ah

[Wyclef Jean (Lil Wayne)]
Some live for the bill
Some kill for the bill
She whine for the bill
Grind for the bill
(and she used to be the sweetest girl)
Some steal for the bill, if they got to pay they bill
(and she used to be the sweetest girl)
Tonight Wyclef, Akon, Weezy on the bill

[Verse 1: (Wyclef Jean)]
High school she was that girl that make me do the hula hoop around the gym
(Just to get a peek again, she's a 10)
High school she was
That girl that make me do the hula hoop around the gym
(Just to get a peek again, she's a 10)
Never thought that she would come and work for the president
Mr. George Washington (where my money at?)
She thought he'd call (where my money at?)
She had a good day, bad day, sunny day, rainy day
All he wanna know is is (where my money at?)
Closed legs don't get fed, go out there and make my bread
All he wanna know is (where my money at?)
She ended up in a road car, bruised up, scarred hard
All he wanna know is (where my money at?)
She thought he'd call (where my money at?)

[Chorus: Akon (x2)]
See I'mma tell you like you told me
Cash rules everything around me
Singin' dollar dollar bill y'all (dollar, dollar bill y'all)
Singin' dollar dollar bill y'all (dollar, dollar bill y'all)

[Verse 2: (Akon)]
Pimpin' got harder cos, hoes got smarter
On the strip is something they don't wanna be a part of
Rather be up in the club shakin' for some dub
Then triple times the money and spending it like they wanna
They got they mind on they money, money on they mind
They got they finger on the trigger, hand on the nines
See everyday they feel the struggle, but staying on they grind
And ain't nobody takin' from us, and that's the bottom line

But I know there's a drop in the block
You move slow
You getting' pressure from cops
you don't know not to lay low
Because 25 to life is no joke
To all my real gorillas thuggin'
On top of corners every day strugglin'
All the beautiful women getting' money
Washin' them dollar bills like laundry

[Chorus: Akon (x2)]
Cos' I'ma tell you like you told me
Cash rules everything around me
Singin' dollar dollar bill y'all (dollar, dollar bill y'all)
Singin' dollar dollar bill y'all (dollar, dollar bill y'all)

[Bridge: (Wyclef Jean)]
Money, money-money-money
Money, money-money-money
It drives the world crazy

[Verse 3: (Lil Wayne)]
[Niia] She used to be
[Weezy] She used to be the sweetest girl

She used to be the sweetest girl ever
Now she like sour ameretta
She wears a dress to the T like the letter
And if you make it rain she will be under the weather
She used to run track back in high school
Now she tricks off the track right by school
She takes a loss cos she don't wanna see her child lose
So respect her, I'll pay up for the time used
And then she runs to the pastor
And he tells her there will be a new chapter
But she feels no different after
And then she asks him... where my money at?

[Chorus: Akon (x2)]
Cos' I'ma tell you like you told me
Cash rules everything around me
Singin' dollar dollar bill y'all (dollar, dollar bill y'all)
Singin' dollar dollar bill y'all (dollar, dollar bill y'all)

[Outro: (Wyclef Jean)]
Some live for the bill
Some kill for the bill (oh where my money at?)
She whine for the bill
Grind for the bill (oh where my money at?)
Some steal for the bill, if they got to pay the bill (oh where my money at?)
Tonight Wyclef, Akon, Weezy on the bill
(oh) were my money at?