Gov. Perry on Border Security

We cannot have homeland security without border security. Under Gov. Perry, Texas has been a leader on border security while the federal government has faltered. Under his leadership, Texas has put more boots on the ground, more technology to use, and more targeted operations to dramatically reduce all crime along the border.

Surge Operations. Starting in June 2006, state-funded operations have committed resources to strategic areas, resulting in an average of 65 percent reduction of all crime, including rape, murder, human trafficking and narcotics smuggling in our border communities. In 2009, the 81st Legislature reapproved funding for border operations, dedicating more than $110 million for the second consecutive session.
Transnational Gang Initiative. In response to a rising tide of gang violence in Texas communities, Gov. Perry secured funding for enhanced anti-gang efforts all across the state. On Feb. 26, 2009, Gov. Rick Perry sent a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano requesting the deployment of an additional 1,000 National Guard soldiers to the Texas-Mexico border and has yet to receive a response. Gov. Perry reiterated his request and concerns in a letter to President Barack Obama on Aug. 21, 2009.
Ranger Recon. In September, Gov. Perry launched the Ranger Recon security initiative, which utilizes Ranger Reconnaissance Teams to tap the specialized criminal intelligence and apprehension capabilities of the Texas Rangers to protect Texans who live in remote areas of the border and whose lives and property are threatened by criminals coming across the border.

Read Related Press Releases, Blog Posts and News Articles about Gov. Perry's Efforts on Border Security

Texas enacts law to aid human-trafficking victims

September 22, 2009

The Christian Century

Texas has become the first state in the nation to provide assistance to domestic human-trafficking victims with a landmark law that Governor Rick Perry signed into law in August.

The law establishes a statewide Human Trafficking Prevention Task Force in the attorney general's office, creates a human-trafficking training component for law-enforcement officers, starts a program to connect services to trafficking victims and begins a grant program for groups that provide assistance to domestic trafficking victims.

Among faith groups that helped shepherd the bipartisan bill through the Lone Star State's legislature was the Texas Baptist Christian Life Commission. Human-trafficking victims account for 74 percent of the sex-trade market, according to statistics provided by the commission.

"Most people think human trafficking happens elsewhere in places like Thailand and Cambodia, but the reality is that it is happening in our own backyard," said Republican state representative Randy Weber of Pearland, who authored the legislation, which was also sponsored by Democratic senator Leticia Van de Putte of San Antonio.

"In fact, the vast majority of the victims identified within Texas are actually our own citizens," said Weber.

Republican governor Perry, in signing the bill August 24, said, "The task force created by this bill will focus state efforts on ending this criminal activity that primarily targets women and children." -ABP

Texas enacts law to aid human-trafficking victims

September 22, 2009

The Christian Century

Texas has become the first state in the nation to provide assistance to domestic human-trafficking victims with a landmark law that Governor Rick Perry signed into law in August.

"In fact, the vast majority of the victims identified within Texas are actually our own citizens," said Weber.

Gov. Perry signs bill for Valley medical school

September 1, 2009

KBGT 4

Lacie Lowry

HARLINGEN, TEXAS -- Governor Rick Perry ceremonially signed a bill in Harlingen Tuesday for a 4-year medical school in the Rio Grande Valley.

The next big hurdle is funding the school, which will be called The University of Texas Health Science Center-South Texas.

....

The new health science center would keep students in the Rio Grande Valley for all their schooling, possibly resulting in more doctors staying to practice in the valley.

"Here in the Rio Grande Valley, applications are up 18 percent for physician licenses and about 200 more doctors are practicing here today than were in 2003," said Governor Perry.

Governor signs bill calling for Valley medical school

September 1, 2009

Valley Morning Star

Daisy Martinez

HARLINGEN — Fourth-year medical student Yvonne Umeh said she keeps looking for chances to come back to study at the Regional Academic Health Center.

Gov. Rick Perry and state Sen. Eddie Lucio Jr., D-Brownsville, hope future medical students will follow in Umeh’s footsteps.

Umeh is a student at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio and spent her third year and part of her fourth year studying at the RAHC because she loves the Rio Grande Valley culture. Here, she can study diseases such as diabetes among a population with a high rate of the disease.

Perry and Lucio on Tuesday signed Texas Senate Bill 98, which calls for the RAHC — which is overseen by UT Health Science Center in San Antonio — to be converted into an independent, four-year medical school.

Texas Municipal Police Association Endorses Governor Perry

Tue, 08/18/2009 - 3:18pm – KOrr

Today the Texas Municipal Police Association (TMPA) endorsed Governor Rick Perry as their candidate of choice in the 2010 Republican gubernatorial primary race. "Governor Perry has proven his desire to see that Texas law enforcement has the tools we need to protect the citizens and guests of this great state," said Tom Gaylor, Deputy Executive Director of the TMPA. "The public safety resources he has helped provide have been invaluable in our members' efforts to secure our communities."

Formed in 1950, the Texas Municipal Police Association includes over 15,000 Texas peace officers from across the state. The goal of the association is to promote the mission of "Professionalism in Texas law enforcement through education and representation."

"I am honored to receive the endorsement of TMPA," states Gov. Perry. "The dedication and selflessness of our law enforcement officers is one that must be recognized, and I am always proud to champion the concerns of those who protect our citizens. The work of the folks at TMPA is essential to maintaining the strength and security of our state and an effort I will always support."

While in office, Gov. Perry has made law enforcement and public safety issues a top priority, particularly issues concerning border security. During the recent legislative session, the Governor signed HB2086, an omnibus gang bill that provides state and local law enforcement agencies with tools they need to combat gang threats.

Find more information regarding the Texas Municipal Police Association and their endorsement here.

Texas Municipal Police Association Endorses Governor Perry

Tue, 08/18/2009 - 3:18pm – KOrr

Find more information regarding the Texas Municipal Police Association and their endorsement here.

Texas Municipal Police Association Endorses Gov. Rick Perry

August 18, 2009

AUSTIN – The Texas Municipal Police Association (TMPA) today endorsed Gov. Rick Perry as their candidate of choice in the 2010 Republican gubernatorial primary race.

“Governor Perry has proven his desire to see that Texas law enforcement has the tools we need to protect the citizens and guests of this great state,” said Tom Gaylor, Deputy Executive Director of the Texas Municipal Police Association. "The public safety resources he has helped provide have been invaluable in our members’ efforts to secure our communities."

“From law enforcement’s perspective, re-electing Governor Perry is the only choice,” said Sgt. Eddie Wilkerson, President of TMPA.

VIDEO: San Antonio TEA Party.

Sun, 07/05/2009 - 8:26pm – wfranklin

Austin and San Antonio TEA Parties - 381

On July 4, Governor Perry attended the San Antonio TEA Party with thousands of his fellow patriots. The Governor was proud to be the first elected official to sign the S.A. TEA Party's Contract with the Constitution and introduce his good friend Marcus Luttrell. Watch for yourself::

For more TEA Party videos, please visit Governor Perry's YouTube channel. To see hundreds more TEA Party photos, don't miss Governor Perry's Flickr Photostream.

The Governor and the campaign would love to connect with you online. As always, you can see the most up-to-date photos and other updates straight from Rick Perry on @GovernorPerry's Twitter page. If you are on Facebook, don't forget to add yourself as a Perry 2010 supporter.

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Governor Perry's Instavision Interview.

Thu, 07/02/2009 - 5:55am – wfranklin

Wednesday, Governor Perry linked up via webcam for a PJTV interview with Glenn Reynolds of Instapundit. The two discussed social media, Texas' balanced budget, cap and trade, tort reform, border security, and upcoming TEA parties. The Governor explained the four ways to keep a state on the right track: 1) keep taxes low; 2) keep your regulatory climate fair and predictable; 3) create a legal system that prevents oversuing; and 4) make education accountable. You can watch the entire interview here: