Associated Press
Sunday, May 27, 2007; Page A17
AUSTIN — Against his doctor’s advice, a stooped and feeble state Sen. Mario Gallegos Jr. (D) arrives at the Texas Capitol each day, just to make sure his chamber does not take up a bill that would require voters to produce identification at the polls.
And when the rigors of the job start to wear on Gallegos, whose body is trying to reject a liver transplanted four months ago, he retires to a hospital-style bed — donated by a Republican colleague — in a room next to the Senate chamber.
From there, he can be summoned at a moment’s notice, should his vote be needed to keep the bill from reaching the floor.
Gallegos is putting his health at risk to block a measure he and others say could prevent many minorities and the elderly from taking part in elections in Texas.
“If there was enough votes to block, I promise I wouldn’t be here,” he said last week from his bed, his slumped shoulders and tired, jaundiced eyes making him look much older than his 56 years. The once-burly lawmaker is now thin, his skin hanging loosely. MORE
Now this, ladies and gents is a TEXAN!!
~Susan~
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