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 RLC
OF TEXAS HOSTS "PRIVACY PROCLAMATION" WITH CONGRESSMAN RON PAUL
Report Authors: Don Zimmerman, Michael Franks, and John Reed
February
17, 2003 - University of Texas - Austin
The Republican Liberty Caucus of Texas successfully hosted the "Privacy
Proclamation" with Congressman Ron Paul at the UT Law School Auditorium on
February 17th. There were many other co-sponsoring organizations too, from the
Federalist Society to the LP and Austin Silver Center. The Event was split
into two meetings. The first meeting was the private VIP reception for event
sponsors, held prior to the public 7 PM lecture. It was filled beyond capacity
with many last minute supporters -- in all 38 people attended the small
dinner. The reception featured many new RLC members, and new Texas Land
Commissioner (and RLC of Texas Chairman) Jerry Patterson. Other elected
officials attending were Don Loucks - Bastrop County Commissioner, and Gerald
Daugherty - Travis County Commissioner. These Privacy Sponsors helped pay for
the advertising and radio ads that we played in Austin on KLBJ 590-AM and KIXL
970-AM.
CLICK HERE to
view the VIDEO RECORDING
of the event.
In addition, we coordinated various interviews on these radio stations, one of
which was a 45 minute radio interview with Congressman Ron Paul on KLBJ
590-AM, the day of the event.
Congressman Paul with Sponsors of Event
The MAIN event for the evening, was the Public Lecture on "Privacy" by
Congressman Ron Paul. RLC members greeted the public lecture guests at the UT
Law School Auditorium. About 270 people attended, a standing room only crowd.
RLC of Texas Executive Director Don Zimmerman called the meeting to order and
introduced ACLU Texas Executive Director Will Harrell. Mr. Harrell highlighted
the strong agreement he had with Dr. Paul's courageous stand against the
Patriot Act and Homeland Security bill, and introduced the Congressman.
Privacy Proclamation-Public Lecture Audience
Congressman Paul spoke for about an hour on the way war time leads to
government assaults on Liberty and Privacy. He highlighted six popular reasons
given for the war on Iraq, and offered powerful logic contesting these
reasons. The Congressman's main concern is the Unconstitutional transfer of
War Declaration Powers from Congress to the Executive Branch.
Congressman Paul wants Congress and the President to follow the rules of the
Constitution. On the issue of "weapons of mass destruction", he pointed out
how the Soviet Union had (and still has) many destructive weapons which never
led to war. Congressman Paul also highlighted the fact that the 9/11 attacks
were carried out by primitive weapons -- box cutters -- in the hands of Saudi,
not Iraqi, men. He also went into detail about the dangers to Constitutional
liberty that "PATRIOT ACT" presents -- with even more dangers to follow in
"PATRIOT II".
Congressman Paul Receives Standing Ovation
Congressman Paul was well received. There was much applause between comments.
There were cameras all over, and some guests brought their own video cameras.
There was a good mix of students and non-students. There was a good
cross section of folks from all different backgrounds in attendance. These
Americans were finally hearing a rational argument for the Constitution of the
United States.
Congressman Paul being interviewed
A 15 minute Q&A session followed, interrupted by media requests for interviews
that had to be produced for that evenings' news. After a successful meet and
greet public reception hosted by the Federalist Society (Marc Levin) in the
Atrium, the group took photos at the "Liberty Bell" parked just outside the UT
Law School (courtesy of David Hall from the Dallas area). From there
Congressman Paul joined an eager UT student group (led by Jarod Patterson) to
Double Dave's Pizza, where the enthusiastic crowd cheered an excellent 10:00
KVUE TV news report on the Privacy Proclamation event, with excellent quotes
from our greatest Congressman. KEYE News also aired Congressman Ron Paul's
views on the threats to our Privacy. There were several young students
present; Congressman Paul sat with them and talked to them most of the
evening. This lead us to wonder about our future. The next "Ron Paul"
may have been present somewhere that evening. The seeds of LIBERTY have been
planted in Austin and the debate for Constitutional government will continue.
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