Press Releases

AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry today received the endorsement of the Texas Chapter of the American College of Cardiology political action committee, HeartPAC, for re-election in 2010.

“Rick Perry is a true advocate of medical professionals across Texas, tirelessly working to implement crucial lawsuit reforms that have been vital to enhancing our state’s healthcare industry and making healthcare more accessible and affordable,” said HeartPAC Chairman David May, M.D. “Today, Texas cardiologists are in a better position to treat their patients because of Gov. Perry’s leadership and we proudly endorse him in his effort to continue leading the state of Texas.”

The purpose of the Texas Chapter of the American College of Cardiology is to contribute to the prevention of cardiovascular diseases, to ensure optimal quality of care for individuals with such diseases, and to foster the highest professional ethical standards. The chapter is the voice of cardiology in Texas, providing input to policy makers in the legislature, state government, professional organizations and third party payers.

“Texas cardiologists are a vital component to our state’s healthcare industry and I am truly honored to receive HeartPAC’s endorsement,” said Gov. Perry. “Because of what Texas has accomplished to secure, important lawsuit reform legislation, thousands of doctors are drawn to practice in our state which has brought in critical specialties for Texans. I look forward to building on this success to address the current challenges facing our healthcare system and make healthcare more available and affordable to all Texans.”

AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry today received general election endorsement of PharmPAC, the political action committee of the Texas Pharmacy Association, for re-election in 2010.

“During my more than 30 years of experience in the health care field, I have witnessed the impressive public policy leadership of Rick Perry for 25 of those years,” said Joe A. DaSilva, CAE, FACHE, TPA’s new executive director and CEO. “The Texas Pharmacy Association PAC is proud to endorse Gov. Perry for re-election and will continue working with him to sustain and expand the high quality of care delivered by pharmacists and pharmacy technicians throughout Texas.”

The Texas Pharmacy Association is the state’s leading pharmacy organization since 1879, representing more than 4,000 Texas pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and pharmaceutical industry representatives.

“The pharmacists and technicians of our great state play a vital role in improving the quality of life for Texans," said Gov. Perry. “I’m proud of the work that has been achieved by working together to strengthen healthcare services across our state. Today Texans are healthier and access to healthcare has improved, thanks to lawsuit reform we successfully passed in 2003. I am honored to receive the endorsement of PharmPAC.”

SAN ANTONIO – Gov. Rick Perry today accepted the endorsement of the Texas Association of Realtors® (TAR) for the 2010 general election. Hundreds of Texas realtors attended the TAR rally in support of the governor’s vision for Texas’ future.

“I spend a lot of time talking up Texas, spreading the good news about the quality of life in our state and the strength of our economy,” said Gov. Perry. “I’m honored to earn the endorsement of folks who do their share of promoting Texas as they help their clients find homes in a state where the American Dream is alive and well.”

TAR Chairman Bill Jones commended Gov. Perry’s long-standing commitment to the interests of Texas homeowners, noting the governor’s record of implementing policies that have reduced the state’s reliance on property taxes and kept homeownership affordable. Currently, Texas has one of the lowest foreclosure rates of the 10 largest states.

“Throughout his time in office, Gov. Perry has been a dedicated champion for Texas homeowners,” said Jones. “He has shown clear vision for supporting the best interests of property owners and has demonstrated true leadership in bringing that vision to reality, making him a true friend to Texas homeowners.”

In his remarks, Gov. Perry highlighted the strength Texas’ economy has maintained throughout the national economic downturn due to its focus on fiscal discipline and job creation. He credited our state’s record of reining in spending and keeping taxes low and regulations reasonable as the key to Texas’ successful economic development and job creation efforts. These priorities are what have allowed Texas to create jobs at double the rate of any of the largest 10 states in the last year and what has kept Texas’ unemployment rate more than a point below the national average.

The governor also outlined the education proposals he has announced throughout the course of his campaign in an effort to strengthen Texas education, keep kids in school and ensure Texas students are prepared for the challenges of higher education and the workplace. Efforts to strengthen education are crucial to creating the equipped workforce that Texas needs to remain competitive in the global and national economies. Gov. Perry’s education proposals include:

• A newly announced partnership with Apple to create the iTunes U Texas project, which offers a modern approach to keeping teachers and students engaged and informed by providing free, supplementary educational content that can be accessed anywhere.

• A program that will make employers who grant their employees two hours a week of paid time off to return to school or study for their GED eligible to receive $1,500 per student in credit toward sales tax liability.

• Requiring that students be enrolled in school or working towards a GED to get and keep a driver’s license; students who drop out will lose the privilege of driving.

• An expansion of the Virtual School Network so students have access to classes their schools may not offer and dual credit opportunities. It also allows students who have dropped out the chance to earn their high school diploma without returning to a bricks and mortar school.

• A $160 million expansion of the Texas Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (T-STEM) program, to double the number of T-STEM Academies and fund STEM scholarships to help ensure students receive a competitive education in these subjects.

With more than 85,000 members, the Texas Association of Realtors is one of the largest professional membership associations in the state and represents all aspects of real estate in Texas. Texas Realtors have championed a number of legislative issues enhancing the lives of Texans, including playing a role in the passage of meaningful property tax appraisal reform, ensuring consumer protection in home equity lending laws and advocating for billions in property tax reductions. To learn more about Texas Realtors’ legislative advocacy on behalf of its members and homeowners, visit TexasRealEstate.com.

AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry today received the endorsement of the Act of Life founder Julie Stobbe for re-election in 2010.

“I am proud to endorse Gov. Perry for re-election,” said Act of Life founder Julie Stobbe. “I feel it is very important for people everywhere to understand and embrace adoption. There are many misconceptions regarding adoption and because of Gov. Perry’s conservative values and strong faith, I know that together we can educate the public about the beauty of adoption so that we can adequately guide interested persons through the process.”

Act of Life dedicates itself to educating, encouraging and equipping those considering adoption, the professionals who serve them, and society in general. Its mission is to advance adoption awareness by providing biblically based training and resources for pregnancy centers, birth parents, adoptive parents, pastors, churches, counselors, and schools.

"I am honored to receive Julie's endorsement,” said Gov. Perry. “I look forward to working with her organization so that families across the state can continue to benefit from the services they provide. I'm proud of Act of Life’s efforts to guide Texans through the adoption process so that more Texas families have the opportunity to help children in need of a loving family. They are an important component to strengthening Texas families and offering hope and opportunity for children across our state."

AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry today received the endorsement of the Texas Travel Industry Association (TTIA) for re-election in 2010.

“We are fortunate to know that we live in a state that is the envy of the nation,” said David Dunham, chairman of the Texas Travel Industry Association’s Legislative Affairs Committee. “People from all over the world are rushing to visit Texas to see what our greatness is all about and our citizens are recognizing just how fortunate we are because of our low taxes and opportunity to prosper. From promoting our film industry to attracting the Super Bowl, from business development to maintaining public safety, Gov. Perry has been on the forefront of making Texas a premier, global travel destination. The Texas Travel Industry Association passionately supports Gov. Perry for re-election.”

TTIA is a nonprofit organization made up of over 800 businesses, organizations, associations and individuals dedicated to developing Texas tourism to its fullest potential. TTIA and its members work together to meet this goal in several ways: by building a strong, on-going program of work to support tourism initiatives across the state; by linking with affiliated groups to assist in their tourism activities; and by charting a course for the future of the tourism industry to ensure its preeminence as a powerful, positive force. TTIA's purpose is to help ensure the most effective tourism program possible, by complementing and maximizing the results of promotional efforts of private businesses, city and regional organizations and the State of Texas.

“I am proud to receive the endorsement of the Texas Travel Industry Association,” said Gov. Perry. “I look forward to continue working with them to keep Texas a top destination for tourists, and give them the tools they need to continue highlighting the incredible attractions and activities our great state has to offer.”

AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry today received the endorsement of the Texas Alliance for Life (TAL) PAC for re-election in 2010.

“Gov. Perry continues to be a devoted supporter of the protection of unborn babies and their mothers,” said Texas Alliance for Life Executive Director Joe Pojman, Ph.D. “TAL is looking forward to his continued dedicated and effective leadership of our state. We are delighted to endorse Gov. Perry in his bid for re-election.”

TAL is a statewide, nonprofit organization of people committed to protecting the fundamental right to life of all innocent human beings, and to promoting respect for their value and dignity from the moment of conception until natural death.

“I am honored to have the support of Texas Alliance for Life in the upcoming election,” said Gov. Perry. “TAL’s devotion to preserving the sanctity of life in Texas is a platform I'm proud to advocate. I look forward to continue helping their ongoing efforts to uphold and strengthen the pro-life values in our state which are a key factor in keeping Texas on the path to prosperity and opportunity.”

AUSTIN - Gov. Perry has received the endorsement of Texas Right to Life PAC for re-election in 2010.


“Gov. Perry has been leading efforts to protect the sanctity of innocent human life since before he was elected governor,” said President of Texas Right to Life Dr. Joseph Graham. “As he defends the unborn, Gov. Perry has also worked to stop destructive research on human embryos and other biotech assaults on human life.”

“Governor Perry has appointed judges who adhere to a constructionist style of jurisprudence, yielding one of the most pro-life judiciaries in the nation. Texas Right to Life PAC proudly endorses and fully supports pro-life incumbent Rick Perry for another term as Texas governor,” said Graham.

Texas Right to Life is the oldest, largest, and only statewide pro-life organization in Texas solely dedicated to defending the right to life of all persons from the moment of fertilization (including those lives manufactured via science) until natural death. Texas Right to Life works only through legal, peaceful, and prayerful means to educate and activate the statewide membership and elected officials.

“I am honored to receive Texas Right to Life’s endorsement and I will continue to work to protect the sanctity of innocent human life in Texas,” said Gov. Perry. “I truly believe such efforts are vital to strengthening Texas families which thereby uphold the strength of our entire state.”

AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry today received the endorsement of the Texas Forestry Association (TFA) Forestry PAC for re-election in 2010.

“The Forestry PAC is proud to announce our support for Gov. Perry in his re-election campaign in November”, said Ron Hufford, executive vice president of the Texas Forestry Association. “Gov. Perry understands the importance of our forests and his conservative leadership is what has helped keep our wildlife thriving and his support of forest conservation practices is vital for the future of our forest resource.”

The Forestry Political Action Committee is the political component of TFA. TFA is guided by a conservation philosophy and is more than just an association of forest-minded landowners, businesses and professionals. It offers programs for almost every Texan interested in conservation, business, history, education, wildlife and more.

“I'm grateful for the Texas Forestry Association's efforts to educate the public and promote forest conservation practices throughout our state,” said Gov. Perry. “Their work is crucial to the future stewardship of our state's prized natural resources and I’m honored to have their support. I look forward to continue working with them to provide the resources they need to keep our Texas forestry industry thriving.”

AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry today received the endorsement of the Texas Poultry Federation (TPF) for re-election in 2010.

“It is no coincidence that Texas leads the nation as the top producer in poultry, egg and dairy goods,“ said Texas Poultry Federation Executive Vice-President James Grimm. “Gov. Perry’s leadership and support to speak out on harmful ethanol mandates and the policies he has put in place in the past have played a vital role in maintaining our industry’s vigor and upholding the livelihood of ranchers and farmers across Texas. There’s no doubt Gov. Perry is the leader Texas needs to sustain our strong agriculture industry for years to come.”

TPF and its affiliates are the only statewide poultry organizations working specifically on behalf of the Texas poultry industry. TPF’s affiliate organizations include the Texas Allied Poultry Association, Texas Broiler Council, Texas Egg Council, Texas Poultry Improvement Association and Texas Turkey Federation.

“I am honored to have the support of the Texas Poultry Federation in this November election,” said Gov. Perry. “The years I spent growing up on a farm in West Texas and my years spent serving as our state’s Commissioner of Agriculture have offered me a unique insight into the lives of Texas farmers and ranchers, and an appreciation for their essential role in our economy. These exceptional providers face extraordinary challenges and issues in producing the food our state and nation depend upon. I will continue to ensure Texas fosters the climate the TPF needs to prosper.”

"Bill White’s call for tax increases is the last thing working families of Texas need in these challenging economic times.

“Transportation, border security and education are just some of the issues that will be a priority in the next state budget. However, just as families have to prioritize spending to make ends meet, so too must their government.

“The people of Texas expect their elected officials to reduce spending and practice fiscal responsibility, not raise taxes in search of additional revenues. I will continue to work with the legislature to identify ways to cut taxes so families can keep more of their hard-earned dollars and keep the Texas economy the envy of the nation.”