Date: Sun, 12 Mar 2000 10:07:22 -0800 From: "Wesley Burnett" Here's the background from our web site: If anyone needs more info, I'll be pleased to communicate and share with them how we went about organizing the convention. The most important step is begin with an organizing committee composed of like-minded folks from all over the state. That organizing committee must ensure that lawful process is carefully researched, so that when the opposition comes, the process itself can be defended by lawful evidence. In our case, it is the State of Texas Constitution, Article 1, Section 2 (see below). Advertising widely is a key essential ingredient for calling a constitutional convention. We followed the State of Texas requirement for advertising the vote on constitutional amendments, by paying for advertising in county newspapers of record (see below). Then, when only a handful of people showed up to serve as delegates, we were armed with evidence that we followed the same procedures as the State of Texas. We could not be held responsible for failure of people to participate, we did what was required by law to properly notify citizens of the opportunity to participate. Let me know how else we might help. Wes Burnett -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Background (An archive version of the web site used during the convention is preserved on this web site. If you would like to get an idea of the actual process used to create Texas Constitution 2000, you might want to have a look at the archives.) The Texas Constitutional Convention was formally convened July 4, 1997 in Sherwood at the Original Irion County Courthouse and met regularly until Texas Constitution 2000 was adopted. The document includes a lawful ratification plan and a transition plan for peaceful and orderly transfer of government functions. Organization for the convention began late in the fall and early winter of 1996, as Texans began meeting in local and regional committees, debating and discussing the writing of a new Texas constitution. These committees were spurred by three primary concerns about constitutional rights: (1) that individual rights and personal privacy are insecure, (2) that ownership of property is not currently secure, 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 1997 agreed to establish a coordinating committee for the purpose of organizing and arranging the 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. There were 11 members on the Texas Constitutional Convention Coordinating Committee (TxCCCC), all law abiding, peaceful and concerned Texas citizens, seeking to offer Texans an alternative to the current governmental system, as is their right, which is defined clearly in Article 1, Section 2 of the 1876 Texas Constitution. The TxCCCC paid for advertising in 283 Texas newspapers (May 1997) in two consecutive issues to announce the convention and explain how Texans could serve as delegates to the convention. The committee also sent letters and a notice to all 254 county clerks, explaining the lawful process of the convention and requesting the notice be placed on the courthouse bulletin board. The committee also paid for a fax-on-demand service, and advertised that telephone number, posted information on several Internet web sites, and sent news releases to Texas news bureaus and major news media outlets. Delegates to the Texas Constitutional Convention claim only to represent themselves and those two citizens who designated them as representatives to the convention. The constitutional convention is not authorized, controlled, directed, nor approved by any government or any government agent. Delegates proceeded to convention under the authority of the people as confirmed in the 1836, 1845, 1861, and 1876 Texas constitutions. Delegates are dedicated to peaceful and lawful pursuit of achieving the political goal of writing a new constitution, and then presenting that constitution to the voters of Texas for a decision. Not since 1836 have Texas citizens established a constitutional convention without government control. It will be the first time in Texas history for a constitutional convention to be convened under the authority of the Texas constitution's Article 1, Section 2. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- * Constitutional Notes "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. "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. "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. "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. --------------------------------------------------------------------------