From Houston to Austin: Our Trip to the Capitol for Environmental Justice Advocacy Day
By Haley Schulz
On an April Thursday before sunrise, Houstonians boarded buses to travel to the state Capitol in Austin. Over a hundred people made the trip for Environmental Justice Advocacy Day. With plans to meet with legislators, constituents would focus their conversations on access to clean air, clean water, and clean, reliable energy.
At the Capitol, the Members’ Lounge bustled with excitement. Brimming with families and communities eager for their day’s schedule, the room was full of laughter, announcements, and constant movement. Once groups had their schedules, everyone went to their legislators’ offices to meet with staff. As it was the day when the budget bill – the only bill the Texas Legislature is required to pass – was before the House, representatives waved from the floor and quickly stepped outside to meet with their Houston constituents.
Throughout the day, the group had opportunities to be recognized or take pictures with various representatives. While some groups immediately began their work, talking to legislators on important topics, other attendees met in the Texas Senate gallery to be recognized by state Sen. Molly Cook. “These advocates are here today because they understand that environmental justice is public health,” Sen. Cook said as she addressed her fellow senators and the people in the gallery.
The groups also met with state Rep. Ron Reynolds, who expressed appreciation for the visit. “Your advocacy here today,” he said, “will help shape the policies that are decided…The only way the advocacy is amplified is when you lift your voice.” Reps. Suleman Lalani and Penny Morales Shaw also appeared outside the House floor to bolster constituent confidence and highlight their committee efforts for environmental bills.
Many attendees shared positive interactions and conversations with the offices visited. Community members spoke on everything from concrete batch plants and grid instability to nonexistent air monitoring in Fort Bend County and of the DeLa Express Pipeline across rural Texas. While the day was packed and everyone left tired, most found the day productive and encouraging. With 116 individuals participating in the Environmental Justice Advocacy Day, it was a trip to Austin we feel left a positive mark on our legislators.
I also want to memorialize one of the attendees who joined us at our Advocacy Day. Tami Mewis, a community leader, painter, and resident in Austin, passed away the day after our trip. Tami was the first person I greeted on the Capitol steps that morning. I remember her optimism about talking to her representatives on what was her first visit to the Capitol. Joined by fellow Hold the Line campaign members, Tami was so eager and excited to advocate for communities impacted by the DeLa Express Pipeline. Hearing from fellow coalition members, Tami was a dedicated community leader and will be sorely missed.
While there were experienced community advocates at the Capitol that day, there were also families and first-time visitors. Tami, as well as many others, were the perfect example of what it means to be a community leader. To step outside your comfort zone and learn new things in the name of justice. To stand up for your community, not because of your experience, but because you know it is the right thing to do. We hope the community felt heard and seen on Environmental Justice Advocacy Day and we will continue to support them beyond the 89th Legislative session.
Haley Schulz is an organizer for the Texas office of Public Citizen.