Mary Cummins Investigative Reporter Los Angeles, California: texas

Showing posts with label texas. Show all posts

Saturday, July 5, 2025

Cause of Camp Mystic Flooding is Poor Texas Zoning Building Regulations by Mary Cummins

UPDATE: July 12, 2025 FEMA gave exemptions for buildings in flood zones at Camp Mystic. Seems to be lack of proper oversight all the way around from FEMA, building and safety, local zoning to the camp itself. I've found this to be a common theme in Texas. They feel regulations interfere with business and profits. https://www.yahoo.com/news/fema-removed-dozens-camp-mystic-111716138.html

July 11, 2025 Owner of Camp Mystic knew about the high risk of floods yet didn't actively do anything to protect the campers. They redid Camp Mystic more recently yet didn't move the lower lying cabins built in the flood zone. They could have turned those cabins into another use and moved the campers into safer cabins on higher ground but didn't. The owner died in the flood. The camp has flooded many, many times. https://www.yahoo.com/news/camp-mystic-owner-warned-floods-101529475.html

July 9, 2025 Houston Chronicle has almost identical article to mine four days later. https://www.houstonchronicle.com/projects/2025/texas-camp-mystic-guadalupe-fema-floodplains/ I post this for the people who originally told me I was wrong about the flood zone. I've been a real estate appraiser over 42 years. I examine and research flood maps all the time to ascertain flood threat to properties and humans. I never would have signed off on an appraisal of this property for this use due to the flood map, terrain and close proximity of the cabins to the river and creek. There were even two dams on the property near some cabins and the camp had a long history of flooding. I see a lot of lawsuits against the camp.

Love this quote from the article from a Texan. This is what I've been saying for at least ten years. While I live in California I know Texas well and have relatives there. “In Texas, we have been very irresponsible about the way we treat floodways and floodplains,” said Jim Blackburn, a Rice University professor who specializes in environmental law and flooding issues. “We have always treated them as a kind of environmental red tape rather than a true danger area, and I think that has dis-served us across the board.”

July 7, 2025 A day and a half after I wrote my article CNN wrote an almost identical article using my exact same quotes. https://www.yahoo.com/news/children-camps-texas-were-located-060024551.html

ORIGINAL: July 5, 2025 intense rain and flooding at Camp Mystic in Hunt, Texas caused loss of life and missing campers. Everyone is blaming someone else but there is one main cause of this tragedy. The main reason is the camp was built in a high risk flood zone on the banks of the Guadalupe river in a floodplain.

The camp is built in high risk flood zone A, see map above and below. Here is the address, Camp Mystic 186 Felix Fisher Rd S, Hunt, TX 78024 GPS 30.00485531885247, -99.37327619243185. Camp Mystic itself states on their website they're built on the banks of Guadalupe river, "Established in 1926, Mystic is nestled among cypress, live oak, and pecan trees in the hill country of west-central Texas on the banks of the beautiful Guadalupe River." https://www.campmystic.com/ It looks like the cabins are built right next to the Guadalupe river. The major flooding took place as campers were asleep in bed. There actually were rain and flood warnings. Linked below is the flood map for the area. The younger girls who died were staying in the cabins closest to the water. I believe the camp owner should have evacuated the campers after the initial flood warnings the day before knowing they're in a high risk flood zone. Other camps in the area heeded the warning and evacuated. Link to the actual FEMA map https://hazards-fema.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=8b0adb51996444d4879338b5529aa9cd

Better view of the cabins in Flood zone A. You see the cabins inside the flood zone. The flood map is 48265C0450F date 03/03/2011. One should never build cabins on the banks of a river in a high risk flood zone and floodplain. They probably built the camp there because the land was cheap because it was in a flood zone. While we didn't have FEMA flood maps back in 1926 people knew which areas flooded. You could tell based on proximity to body of water, terrain and soil.

They even built dams on the creek. Were those built with permits? Texas is pretty lax with permits so rhetorical question.

Another view of the cabins near the Guadalupe River. The ones closest to the river with the lowest elevation are the ones which were destroyed and campers lost. This is an image linked from CNN which shows the yellow flooded cabins.

This is the definition of high risk flood zone A, "high risk of flooding, specifically a 1% annual chance of experiencing a flood event, also known as the 100-year floodplain. These areas are designated as Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHA) due to their proximity to bodies of water like rivers, lakes, and ponds." Generally you would not build a living quarter in this area. If you do, it must be mitigated which generally means raising it off the ground on a strong foundation above the BFE. "Structures in Zone A must adhere to specific building standards, such as elevating the lowest floor to or above the BFE and ensuring enclosed areas below the BFE are not used as living spaces, according to the American Society of Civil Engineers." This is a 1926 camp. I doubt it was up to flood code. The water level went six feet up inside the cabins based on the photos. They were clearly not built above the BFE. Generally you would have pier or stilt foundations so the water can flow under the buildings. I don't see any of these types of foundations in the camp.

This is the building code for flood zones in Kerr County. "A floodplain determination or permit is required for any work in the floodplain." "In Kerr County, Texas, building in Flood Zone A requires adhering to specific regulations outlined in the Kerr County Flood Damage Prevention Order. These regulations, administered by the Kerr County Engineer, aim to minimize flood damage. Generally, new construction and substantial improvements in Zone A must elevate the lowest floor (including basements) to or above the base flood elevation plus one foot, or the highest adjacent grade plus two feet if no specific depth is provided." Based on this the cabins weren't built to current code. I doubt they were 1926 original because the area had previously flooded.

Texas is known to be very lax with zoning especially when it comes to flood zones. They allow building in aqueducts, flood plains and high risk flood zones. This is a Christian religious camps so Texas probably made even more exceptions because of religion. I've previously written articles about this especially after Hurricane Harvey. This is why people are flooded over and over again and FEMA keeps paying them over and over again to rebuild. FEMA will be gone by next year so Texas needs to make some changes. Texas is lucky it has a good relationship with Trump and he agreed to declare it a disaster zone and offer assistance.

In 1987 and 1998 the Guadalupe river flooded. In the 1987 Guadalupe River flood ten teenagers drowned when trying to leave a church camp. Camp Mystic is a religious Christian camp. Perhaps the girls were swept away while fleeing the cabins. Some of the cabins are still standing though they were flooded inside with up to six feet of water. I just saw a photo of girls in pajamas walking through flood water in the middle of the night toward a building on higher ground away from the creek and river. It only takes a few inches of flood water to knock someone off their feet into the water. Maybe that is what happened to those fleeing through higher water.

Below is a chart of the water quickly rising. The water allegedly rose 20 feet in 37 minutes in the middle of the night. This happens in this area because of steep terrain, dry soil which can't soak up water and rivers and creeks flowing into each other. Texas Hill Country is also known as flash flood alley for this reason. There are steep hills, narrow valleys with lots of limestone bedrock so the water is funneled down chutes and is not absorbed into dirt and soil. Great article with quotes from a hydrologist. This is the last place you'd want to camp over night. https://www.yahoo.com/news/why-texas-hill-country-where-160717909.html

Below are photos of the cabins and cabin locations. Clearly not elevated enough. They are literally built on the bank of the river. They are built on the S part of the river and creek which is not a good idea. This area looks like a floodplain. The river banks are formed by the power of the water in the river. That means that area has most likely flooded in the past. The cabins were indeed flooded and buildings were damaged. Such a sad tragedy. In California areas that tend to flood may be used for recreation. They still don't allow overnight lodging for this reason. You can hike and have a picnic but you can't put up a tent or stay over night for this reason. Meanwhile Texas allows overnight lodging in flood zones.

This image which is from a Texas flood website illustrates floodplains and river banks. The entire floodplain area can flood. All buildings should be built above the BFE.

Below is a Google map of Camp Mystic

In case their website is still down https://web.archive.org/web/20250124220815/https://www.campmystic.com/

Mary Cummins of Cummins Real Estate is a certified residential licensed appraiser in Los Angeles, California. Mary Cummins is licensed by the California Bureau of Real Estate appraisers and has over 35 years of experience.

Mary Cummins, Mary K. Cummins, Mary Katherine Cummins, Mary, Cummins, #marycummins #animaladvocates #losangeles #california #wildlife #wildliferehabilitation #wildliferehabilitator #realestate #realestateappraiser #realestateappraisal #lawsuit real estate, appraiser, appraisal, instructor, teacher, Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, Pasadena, Brentwood, Bel Air, California, licensed, permitted, certified, single family, condo, condominium, pud, hud, fannie mae, freddie mac, fha, uspap, certified, residential, certified resident, apartment building, multi-family, commercial, industrial, expert witness, civil, criminal, orea, dre, brea insurance, bonded, experienced, bilingual, spanish, english, form, 1004, 2055, 1073, land, raw, acreage, vacant, insurance, cost, income approach, market analysis, comparative, theory, appraisal theory, cost approach, sales, matched pairs, plot, plat, map, diagram, photo, photographs, photography, rear, front, street, subject, comparable, sold, listed, active, pending, expired, cancelled, listing, mls, multiple listing service, claw, themls, historical appraisal, facebook, linkedin

DISCLAIMER: https://mary--cummins.blogspot.com/p/disclaimer-privacy-policy-for-blogs-by.html

Sunday, September 1, 2019

Who is Seth Ator, Seth Aaron Ator 36 year old white shooter in Odessa, Texas? Biography, history

seth ator, seth aaron ator, shooter, killer, murderer, gun, automatic weapon, odessa, waco, texas, lorena, mary cummins, amarillo, dennis ator, elissa ator, debra ator, denis ator, white domestic terrorist

THIS IS A BREAKING STORY. CHECK BACK FOR MANY UPDATES.9

UPDATE: 09/03/2019: Found another mugshot. This looks more recent. Notice the two tear tattoos on the side of his eye. That can be a gang tattoo meaning then killed someone. Or maybe he just wanted to look dangerous. As he appears to be a solo person I doubt he was in a gang.

UPDATE: 09/02/2019: Seth Ator called the FBI on himself before and after he started shooting. He was an oil field truck driver working for Journey Oilfield Services. They're out of Oklahoma.

"The gunman in a West Texas rampage "was on a long spiral of going down" and had been fired from his oil services job the morning he killed seven people, calling 911 both before and after the shooting began, authorities said Monday. He called the (FBI) agency's tip line as well as local police dispatch on Saturday after being fired from Journey Oilfield Services, making "rambling statements about some of the atrocities that he felt that he had gone through." He called 15 minutes before an officer pulled him over for unsafe lane change. Odessa Police Chief Michael Gerke said Ator's company also called 911 on Saturday after Ator was fired but that Ator had already taken off by the time police showed up."

ORIGINAL: This is the mylife page which the FBI ordered removed. I saved a cache. I posted this after they searched his house so it wouldn't interfere with the search warrant or his home.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kL7YE2L7puVyLr6YOWQuZGU7_B7F0eOc/view?usp=sharing

Photo above in blue is from a police mugshot in 2001. Photo to right from his Facebook profile.

Here is his house. It's a mobile home with no water or electricity. He owns two lots one acre each. He's South of 42nd between Comanche and Draper. This is GPS 31°50'21.0"N 102°32'44.1"W
31.839170, -102.545585

Below is the location. Looks like he has an animal hide, deer stand on the roof of his home which he used to shoot animals.

Below is the data from the two properties he owns. His mailing address is 6009 W PARKER RD # 149-269, PLANO TX 75093. He bought them for $9,260. This is legal description of one. He owns lots 16, 17. Lot: 17 Block: 1 Abbreviated Description: LOT:17 BLK:1 SUBD:L A M SUBDIVISION L.A.M. SUBDIVISION BLOCK 1 LOT 17

The below is Bing for real estate brokers, title. Bing put the two blue markers showing his property. There is only a mobile home on one. The pic of that home matches the one the police posted. Obviously don't go there and mess with the house. FYI I'm a real estate broker, appraiser, expert witness with 35+ years of experience. I think I know how to find a property by owner, APN, legal description by now ;-)

Account Number: 16835.00160.00000
Parcel Number: R100101889
PIN (GIS Mapping Number): 16835-00101-01600
Owner's Information
ATOR SETH
24 CAVALLI CIR
ODESSA, TX 79764-2169

Property Location
CAVALLI CIR

Property Legal Description
L.A.M. SUBDIVISION
BLOCK 1
LOT 16

Land Size
1.0000

Seth Ator, Seth Aaron Ator born 09/27/1982 is 36 years old. He's lived in Lorena, Texas; Waco TX and Amarillo TX. He was born in Potter County, Texas. His father is Dennis (Denis) Keith Ator born 02/12/1954 is a Christian. His mother is Debra Sue Warren. His older sister is Elissa Breanne Ator. I think Seth lives with his parents in Lorena, Texas. His parents married 1978 in Potter County, Texas. They divorced in 1987. Debra remarried Jon R Keeney then divorced him.

A news outlet reported that he had just been fired from his job. It's hard to say if this was premeditated. He was pulled over by police. He then turned around, pulled out his semi-automatic weapon and started firing. After continuing to shoot while being chased by police he ended up taking a USPS truck to continue the car chase. He shot and killed the female driver. He ended up being killed by police near a movie theater.

Paternal grandparents are Aron Leon Ator and Lois Evelyn Duke. Maternal grandparents are Eugene Elroy Warren and Loyce Claudine Kellison.

Shooter has a recent history of pulling a rifle on his neighbor.

https://www.rawstory.com/2019/09/police-never-responded-when-neighbor-of-odessa-texas-shooter-called-to-report-him-last-month

Below is his family tree. So far his family is from Texas and Oklahoma. Click to see larger. His family Ator has been in the US since 1774. They are from Germany France area. The name is most likely German.

seth ator, seth aaron ator, shooter, killer, murderer, gun, automatic weapon, odessa, waco, texas, lorena, mary cummins, amarillo, dennis ator, elissa ator, debra ator, eugene warren, oyce kellison, lois duke, aaron ator, ancestry, heritage, dan, oklahoma

Mary Cummins of Animal Advocates is a wildlife rehabilitator licensed by the California Department of Fish and Game. Mary Cummins is also a licensed real estate appraiser in Los Angeles, California.

Mary Cummins, Mary K. Cummins, Mary Katherine Cummins, Mary Cummins-Cobb, Mary, Cummins, Cobb, real estate, appraiser, appraisal, instructor, teacher, Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, Pasadena, Brentwood, Bel Air, California, licensed, permitted, single family, condo, pud, hud, fannie mae, freddie mac, uspap, certified, residential, certified resident, apartment building, multi-family, commercial, industrial, expert witness, civil, criminal, orea, dre, insurance, bonded, experienced, bilingual, spanish, english, form, 1004, 2055, land, raw, acreage, vacant, insurance, cost, income approach, market analysis, comparative, theory, appraisal theory, cost approach, sales, matched pairs, plot, plat, map, diagram, photo, photographs, photography, rear, front, street, subject, comparable, sold, listed, active, pending, expired, cancelled, listing, mls, multiple listing service, claw, themls,

Saturday, August 3, 2019

Who is Patrick Crusius, Patrick Wood Crusius the El Paso, Texas Walmart shooter? Life, family

patrick crusius, patrick wood crusius, john crusius father, lori, outback steakhouse, shooter, shooting, maga, trump, race mixing, racist, hate, machine gun, semiautomatic weapon, el paso, walmart store, dead, killed, emily, bryan, divorced dna ancestry heritage family tree

THIS IS A BREAKING STORY. CHECK BACK FOR FREQUENT UPDATES.

08/05/2019 Below is the current court info.

2019-PFILE10212
CRUSIUS, PATRICK WOOD
08/04/2019
District Clerk
Pre-File Case
Inactive
CAPITAL MURDER

Register of Actions
Case No. 2019-PFILE10212
State of Texas vs PATRICK CRUSIUS §
§
§
§
§
Case Type: Pre-File Case
Date Filed: 08/04/2019
Location: District Clerk
Party Information
Lead Attorneys
Defendant CRUSIUS, PATRICK WOOD MARK STEVENS
Court Appointed
210-226-1433(W)

State State of Texas
Events & Orders of the Court
OTHER EVENTS AND HEARINGS
08/04/2019 Application for Appointment of Counsel
08/04/2019 Certificate of Magistrate
08/05/2019 COJ - Fel. Order Appointing Attorney

Patrick Wood Crusius is in El Paso County Texas jail. One of his alias is Patrick Wood Brown.

Media stated Patrick's maternal grandparents are Larry and Cynthia Brown. That doesn't appear to be quite right. The mother's birth date and full name is confirmed. Based on her full name and exact birth date her father is James Brown and her mother is Pamela Adams.

ORIGINAL: Patrick Wood Crusius born 07/27/1998 in Texas. He has a twin sister named Emily Megan and an older brother Bryan born 1994. Father is John Bryan Crusius 63 years old. Mother is Lori Lynn Brown Crusius 50 years old. They are divorced with three children. Lori is a Christian. Grandfather was Milton Wood Crusius.

"Obituary for Milton Wood Crusius
CRUSIUS, MILTON WOOD, 80, a retired explorationist, passed away Tuesday, April 15, 2003. Graveside service: 10 a.m. Thursday at Parkdale Cemetery in Arlington. Milton Wood Crusius was born May 9, 1922 in Mobile, Ala. He served in World War II from 1940 - 1945. A gunner's mate first class in the U.S. Navy, he was awarded the Victory Medal, Pacific Theater and American Theater Ribbons. Milton graduated from the University of Texas in 1949, where he was elected to Sigma Gamma Epsilon, an earth science honorary fraternity. He worked for 30 years for Exxon as a geophysicist and a technical writer. He authored a book and several papers on the geology of Texas. Milton married Lois Lorraine Crusius on June 14, 1947. He was for many years a Boy Scout leader. A devoted Christian all of his life, he served in many capacities in Baptist churches. He will be dearly missed by family and friends. Milton was preceded in death by his wife, Lois; mother, Georgie G. Ranew Crusius; and five sisters, Hazel, Vera, Sarah, Catherine and Ruth. Survivors: Sons, Dr. Timothy Wood Crusius and wife, Elizabeth of Dallas, John Bryan Crusius and wife, Lori of Allen; grandchildren, Austin, Micah, Rachel, Blake, Patrick, and Emily Crusius. Arlington Funeral Home 1221 E. Division St. Arlington, TX 817-548-1791 "

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/8089609

The mother and kids lived on Roanoke in Allen, Texas until March 2018. Father donated to Bloomin' Brands PAC.

Father works/worked for Outback Steakhouse. Father John Bryan Crusius and mother Lori Lynn Brown Crusius divorced 2011. They had three children, Patrick, Emily and Bryan Blake Crusius. Case # 219-54999-2011. Wife filed for divorce. Husband responded as a pro se. Divorce granted. Mother has primary custody. Name change granted. She requested her husband's paycheck be withheld for child support. He was working at Timberlawn at the time.

Large sized family home. They sold it March 2018 for around $400K.

https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/609-Roanoke-Dr_Allen_TX_75013_M70604-01159

Family tree of Patrick Wood Crusius the Walmart killer. I noticed they got mylife to shut down the pages to family members. Police do that instantly when private citizens have been trying years to get those defamatory pages down.

I've gone farther back. Alabama, Texas so far. I left the original tree because so many people linked to it.

Here is the manifesto

http://www.amerika.org/wp-content/uploads/patrick_crusius_-_the_inconvenient_truth_about_me.pdf

Father goes by middle name Bryan.

https://www.facebook.com/bryan.crusius
Intro
Owner/Practitioner at Infused Being Therapy and Sound Healing
Worked at The Wisdom Light, LLC
Former Director - Dual Diagnosis at Timberlawn MHS
Studied Professional Counseling at Amberton University, Garland, TX
Studied Hospitality and Tourism Management at University of Houston
Went to Sharpstown High School
Lives in Richardson, Texas
From Houston, Texas

Father runs this new age business. He started it after the divorce.

http://www.dallasaddictionrecoverytherapy.com

Father with his twins Emily and Patrick from 2014. Three years after the divorce. Five years before the killings. Patrick sure changed a lot for the worse.

patrick crusius, patrick wood crusius, chris crusius father, lori, outback steakhouse, shooter, shooting, maga, trump, race mixing, racist, hate, machine gun, semiautomatic weapon, el paso, walmart store, dead, killed, emily, bryan, divorced

Dad wrote a book "Life Enthusiasm, A Path to Purpose Beyond Recovery" by John Bryan Crusius.

Father speaks about childhood issues.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFicoeZNxbA

Here are his videos. He started this after his divorce.

https://www.youtube.com/user/747sacounselor/videos

Mary Cummins of Animal Advocates is a wildlife rehabilitator licensed by the California Department of Fish and Game. Mary Cummins is also a licensed real estate appraiser in Los Angeles, California.

Mary Cummins, Mary K. Cummins, Mary Katherine Cummins, Mary Cummins-Cobb, Mary, Cummins, Cobb, real estate, appraiser, appraisal, instructor, teacher, Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, Pasadena, Brentwood, Bel Air, California, licensed, permitted, single family, condo, pud, hud, fannie mae, freddie mac, uspap, certified, residential, certified resident, apartment building, multi-family, commercial, industrial, expert witness, civil, criminal, orea, dre, insurance, bonded, experienced, bilingual, spanish, english, form, 1004, 2055, land, raw, acreage, vacant, insurance, cost, income approach, market analysis, comparative, theory, appraisal theory, cost approach, sales, matched pairs, plot, plat, map, diagram, photo, photographs, photography, rear, front, street, subject, comparable, sold, listed, active, pending, expired, cancelled, listing, mls, multiple listing service, claw, themls,

Wednesday, March 13, 2019

Who is Beto O'Rourke, Robert O'Rourke running for President? Family, history, biography by Mary Cummins

Beto O'Rourke, Willy Nelson, Texas, vote, Democrat, El Paso, blue wave, Robert O'Rourke, Pat O'Rourke, Amy Hoover Sanders, Charlotte, Erin, Henry, Molly, Ulysses, Robert Williams, Charlotte Brooks, Melissa Williams, Pat Francis O'Rourke, mother, father, family tree, ancestry, heritage, latino, vote, voter registration, mary cummins, john francis o'rourke, mildred jasper

I originally wrote this when Beto O'Rourke was running for the Senate in Texas. Slight changes but the same biography and family history.

Robert "Beto" Francis O'Rourke was born September 26, 1972 in El Paso, Texas. His parents are Pat Francis O'Rourke 1942-2001 and Melissa Martha Williams b. 1948. He has two younger sisters, Charlotte Jasper O'Rourke and Erin Brooks O'Rourke. Below is the pedigree view of Beto's family tree. Click it to see it larger.

Beto O'Rourke, Robert Francis O'Rourke, Pat O'Rourke, Melissa Williams O'Rourke, Charlotte Jasper O'Rourke, Erin Brooks O'Rourke, Robert Lee Williams, Charlotte Brooks, Mildred Jasper, John Francis O'Rourke, James Francis O'Rourke, Anna Elizabeth Lloyd, Newton Jasper, O'Nora Dressler, Eunice Bird, Lewis Brooks, Marguerite Peil, El Paso, Texas, Mary Cummins, Georgia, Ireland, Irish, Wales, Senate, Texas, Democrat, blue wave, election, 2018, vote

Beto's father Pat Francis O'Rourke was a well known businessman, politician, lawyer and Judge in El Paso, Texas. From his obituary.

Robert Beto O'Rourke father Patrick Pat Francis O'Rourke, El Paso, Texas, biography ancestry history DNA

"Political risk-taker died doing what he loved. By David Crowder, El Paso Times. Pat O'Rourke, a colorful El Paso politician, businessman and observer who lived life with passion and loved taking chances, was killed Tuesday morning riding the low-slung bicycle that was taking him across the country this time last year. A former county judge and commissioner, O'Rourke helped engineer the consolidation of the city and county tax offices and left office as the county's top Democratic official in 1986. Soon after, he switched parties to make an unsuccessful run for Congress as a Republican. He was 58; the father of one son, Robert "Beto" O'Rourke and two daughters, Charlotte and Erin; and husband to Melissa Williams O'Rourke, who runs the upscale Charlotte's furniture store on the city's West Side. Pat O'Rourke owned and managed the Ethan Allen furniture store on the West Side. A funeral Mass will be at 1 p.m. Friday at St. Patrick Cathedral, 1118 N. Mesa, after which O'Rourke will be buried at Memory Gardens of the Valley, 4900 McNutt, in Santa Teresa. Arrangements are by Martin Funeral Home West. "I just saw him two nights ago," Commissioner Dan Haggerty said. "You just kind of think that life is funny, life is fragile, and all of the things that people think are so important aren't really." Haggerty said what many others who knew O'Rourke might have thought on hearing the news that he died doing what he loved, pedaling a bicycle alone. "When he crossed the country, we followed the diary," Haggerty said, referring to the daily account O'Rourke posted on stanton-street.com, an online magazine run by his son. "He was very deep. As much as many of us would like to say we knew him, we did not know him. I think he was a lot more of a man and a lot less of a politician than some of us would like to think."

Photo of Beto's mother Melissa O'Rourke. Melissa was married to Pat in March 6, 1971 in El Paso, Texas.

Robert "Beto" O'Rourke married Amy Hoover Sanders in 2005 in Santa Fe, New Mexico. They have three children, Henry, Molly and Ulysses.

Robert Francis "Beto" O'Rourke, Amy Hoover Sanders, wedding marriage Santa Fe, New Mexico, September 24 2005, parents Pat O'Rourke, Melissa O'Rourke, William Sanders, Louann, El Paso, Texas

Beto's paternal grandparents are James Francis O'Rourke 1912 - 1966 and Mildred Rowene Jasper 1913 - 1967. From James Francis O'Rourke's obituary.

Beto O'Rourke's paternal grandfather John Francis O'Rourke El Paso Texas ancestry family history biography heritage

"O'ROURKE J. Frank O'Rourke, 54, life-lonq resident of El Paso, passed away Wednesday in Santa Fe, New Mexico where he was employed in the Public Relations Department of Reynolds Electric and Engineering Co., Inc. Survivors: wife, Mrs. Mildred O'Rourke, daughter, Mrs. Shirley Maveety, Las Cruces, New Mexico, son, Pat O'Rourke, California, brothers,. James L. O'Rourke, Garden Grove Calif., Raymond O'Rourke, El Paso. Rosary services will be held 7:30 p.m. Friday in Harding-Orr &; Mc Daniel Montana Ave. Chapel. Funeral mass will be said at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Joseph's Catholic Church. Rt. Rev. Msgr. H. D. Buchanan officiating. Interment will be in Mt. Carmel. Pallbearers will be Donald P. Bandy, Bob Palm, R. C. Semole. Robert H. Cutler, O. D. Williams. and H. T. Etheridae."

From Mildred Jasper O'Rourke's obituary.

Mildred Rowene Jasper O'Rourke, Beto O'Rourke grandmother El Paso Texas family heritage DNA ancestry

"O'ROURKE Mrs. Mildred J. O'Rourke, resident of Sutton Place, passed away Wednesday. She had been a resident of El Paso 29 years and was the widow of the late J. Frank O'Rourke. She was associated with Reynolds Electrical and Engineering Co.. Inc. Survivors, daughter, Mrs. Robert Maveety, Las Cruces, New Mexico; son, Pat F. O'Rourke, Los Angeles, Calif.; sisters, Mrs. Ruth Strawn, and Rita of Cimarron, Kans.; brothers, Ross Jasper, Rex Jasper, James Jasper, Fred Jasper, all of Cimarron, Kans., Beuford Jasper, Flo. 4 grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 9 a.m. Saturday ,in the Harding-Orr &; McDaniel Montana Ave. Chapel, Rev. Konrod Kelley officiating. Interment will be in Mt. Carmel Cemetery."

Beto's maternal grandparents are Robert Lee Williams Jr. 1921 - 1976 and Charlotte Marguerite Brooks 1919 - 2003.

From Robert William's obituary.

Photo of Robert and Charlotte.

Robert Lee Williams Charlotte Brooks, Beto O'Rourke grandparents, El Paso Texas

"Robert Willliams Services Are Held. Funeral services for Robert Lee Williams Jr., who died yesterday, were to be held today at 1:30 p.m., at Harding-Orr and McDaniel Montana avenue chapel, with Rev. Ron Thomson officiating. Interment is in Mt. Carmel Cemetery, Ysleta. Mr. Williams had been president of Charlotte's Furniture Co. Inc., and had been a member of St. Clement's Episcopal Church. He had been a resident of El Paso 28 years, and lived at 1054 Torrey Pines drive. Survivors are his wife, Mrs. Charlotte B. Williams, El Paso; daughters Melissa O'Rourke, El Paso, and Patti Williams, McLean, Va.; a son, Robert Brooks Williams, El Paso; mother, Mrs. Eunice Williams, and sister, Martha Rhodes, of Picayune, Miss.; a brother, Wade Williams, New York City; grandson, Robert Francis O'Rourke. El Paso Herald, El Paso, Texas."

From Charlotte's obituary. She remarried.

"KORTH. Charlotte Williams Korth, 82, passed away Tuesday morning at her home. Charlotte Brooks was born and raised in Racine, Wisconsin and later moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico, where she met her first husband Robert L. Williams. She and Robert moved to El Paso where they raised three children and started the furniture store that bears her name. She was known nationally as a leading interior designer and Charlotte's Furniture Store is still regarded as one of the premier furniture stores in the Southwest. In 1980 she married Fred Korth, former Secretary of the U.S. Navy. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Robert L. Williams and her second husband, Fred Korth; her sister Betty Miller, her brothers, Lewis, Edward and Robert Brooks and her son- in-law Pat F O'Rourke. She is survived by her children, Patricia Williams, Melissa O'Rourke and Brooks Williams; her grandchildren, Robert F. O'Rourke, Charlotte O'Rourke Pearson, Bonnie Williams and Erin O'Rourke, and her brother-in-law Dorr Miller. Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 9, 2003 from 6 to 8 pm, with a rosary at 7 pm at Sunset Funeral Home-West located at 480 N Resler. A funeral mass will be held at 10 am, Friday, January 10, 2003 at St. Luke's Catholic Church. Interment will follow at Memory Gardens of the Valley. Donations can be mode to the El Paso Alzheimer's Association or the El Paso Museum of Art. El Paso Times, El Paso, Texas."

Beto's paternal great grandparents were James Francis O'Rourke 1879 - 1933, Anna Elizabeth Lloyd 1876 - 1963, Newton Marion Casper 1868 - 1939 and O'Nora Belle Dressler 1876 - 1965.

From James O'Rourke's obituary. He was born in Missouri.

James Francis O'Rourke, Beto O'Rourke's great grandparents family tree, ancestry heritage DNA

"O'ROURKE SERVICES SET FOR WEDNESDAY. Southern Pacific Conductor Lived in El Paso 15 Years. Funeral services for James Francis O'Rourke, 53, 1411 E. Nevada St., who died yesterday in a local hospital will be held at 9:30 a. m Wednesday in St. Patrick's cathedral. Burial will be in Evergreen. Fr. D. J. Kirgan will officiate. Rosary services will be held at 8 p. m. today in the Kaster & Maxon chapel with the Ladies of Charity in charge. Mr. O'Rourke was a Southern Pacific railroad conductor. He had lived in El Paso for the last 15 years. He is survived by his widow and three sons, James, Raymond and Frank O'Rourke, all of El Paso, and two sisters, Mrs. Frank Connolly, Enid, Okla., and Mrs. George Buck, Kansas City, Mo."

Anna Elizabeth was born 1876 in Ystradyfodwg, Glamorgan, Wales. She married James Francis in 1906 in Kansas. She died 1963 in Orange County, California.

Newton Marion Jasper was born in Clinton, Missouri 1868 and died 1939 in Las Cruces. Per the 1930's census he was a foreman at a college dairy.

O'Nora Belle Dressler was born 1876 in Randolph County, Missouri and died 1965 in Montezuma, Kansas. From her obituary.

Photo of O'Nora on the left.

Beto O'Rourke family tree ancestry heritage El Paso Texas O'Nora Belle Dressler Jasper

"Mrs. O'Nora B. Jasper. Funeral for Mrs. O'Nora B. Jasper, 88 former Garden City resident, was Saturday at the Baptist Church in Lebo. Burial was in the Lebo Cemetery. She died last Thursday at the Bethel Home in Montzuma after a lengthy illness."

Beto's maternal great grandparents were Robert Lee Williams 1888 - 1946, Eunice "Ennie" Bird 1900-1991, Lewis C Brookes 1876 - 1960 and Marguerite M Peil 1890-1927.

Robert Williams was born and died in Georgia. He was an operator at a gasoline filling station in 1940 per the census.

Eunice Bird was born in Georgia 1900 and died in Mississippi 1991. She completed four years of college. She was a supervisor for the WPA in 1940. 1958 she was the supervisor for the Housing Authority of Savannah.

Lewis Centennial Brooks was born 1876 in Ohio and died 1960 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Below is a photo of him.

Beto O'Rourke family tree, ancestry dna heritage, Lewis Centennial Brooks

From Lewis C Brook's obituary.

"Lewis Brooks, 83, Milwaukee died Sunday night in a Madison hospital. Among the survivors is a son, Lewis P., Sun Prairie. The body is at the Frautschi funeral home, 120 E. Wilson St."

"Lewis Brooks Rites. Funeral services for Lewis C Brooks, 83, Milwaukee, who died Sunday in a Madison hospital, will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday in the Unitarian Meeting house, 900 University Bay Dr. Max D. Gaebler, minister, will officiate. Mr. Brooks was born in Lennox, Ia., and lived in Madison during the early 1940s. He was the organizer and president of the Sealshipt Oyster System until 1910. Mr. Brooks also organized and served as president of the Wisconsin National Fiber Container organization, Cudahy. He was a charter member of the University club of Milwaukee. Surviving are three sons, Lewis P., Sun Prairie; Edward H., Nashville, Tenn.; and Robert B., Cross Plains; two daughters, Mrs. James H. Carrier, Lincoln, Neb.; and Mrs. Robert L. Williams, El Paso, Tex.; and 15 -3 grandchildren. The Frautschi funeral home, 120 E. Wilson st., is in charge of arrangements."

Marguerite Peil Brooks was born 1890 in Wisconsin and died 1927 in Racine, Wisconsin. From her obituary.

"MRS. BROOKS, FORMER RACINE WOMAN, DIES. Mrs. Marguerite Brooks, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Leo A. Peil of this city, and wife of Louis C. Brooks, Milwaukee, died in that city yesterday. She is survived by her husband, five children, a sister. Mrs. Walton H. Miller, this city and a brother. Edward Piel, Chicago, and her parents. Funeral services will be held at 11 o'clock Friday morning at Holy Rosary church. Milwaukee. Burial will be in Calvary cemetery, in this city, and will be private."

I will now only do Beto's second great grandfather and wife on the O'Rourke side. Bernard "Barney" O'Rourke was born 1830 in Glencar, County Leitrim, Ireland. He died 1896 in Nebraska. Below is his obituary.

"Barney O'Rourke, well known about here, and who owned a farm northeast of town, but who lived near Nebraska City, was last week returning from that city to his home, with another person, in a buggy, when, by the horses taking fright, or some other accident, they were thrown out. O'Rourke's collar-bone was broken, but it was thought that he was not otherwise hurt. However, he was undoubtedly injured internally, as he suddenly became worse, Friday, and died that evening. When the Rock Island road was being built through here, he operated a boarding car."

An article from 1892 about him.

"Bernard O'Rourke a former old and respected citizen of St. Joseph, but now of Talmage, Nebraska, made a very pleasant call at the Tribune office Wednesday on his way home from the Indian Nation, where he has been engaged all spring in the construction of a railroad. Mr. O'Rourke built and ran the Everett house on South Seventh street many years ago and looks as fresh today as he did then."

Barney's wife was Mary Anne McDermott born in Ohio 1848 and died in El Paso in 1923. From her obituaries.

"MRS. MARY A. O'ROURKE DIES WHILE VISITING HER SONS. Mary A. O’Rourke, 74 years old mother of J. F. and H. J. O’Rourke of El Paso, died Saturday at 1411 East Nevada Street. Mrs. O’Rourke arrived in El Paso last Monday from her home in Herington, Kan., for a visit with her sons. Besides her sons here, she is survived by two daughters in Herington, Mrs. Frank Connolly and Miss Alice O’ Rourke; a son, B. J. O'Rourke, of Parsons. Kan., and a brother, P. J. McDermott of Liberal, Kansas. The body will be forwarded tonight to Harrington for burial by the J. J. Kaster & company."

"Mrs. Mary A. O'Rourke Dead. Mrs. O'Rourke is dead. This simple message, which passed from neighbor to neighbor and on through the town Saturday, brought a shade of sadness to the hearts of all who heard it, for this good woman who has lived among us for a number of years, had endeared herself to all by her simple kindnessm her consistent christian life, her charming personality and her cheeriness at all times. The children loved her, the young people enjoyed her the older friends trusted her and came for sympathy and understanding and her immediate family and friends adored her. Her passing leaves a place that cannot be filled, but her life among us leaves a pleasant memory of kindly service and unselfish devotion to family, friends and her religion, that is an inspiration to all and will linger long after she has gone. Mrs. O'Rourke left Herington about ten days ago to visit her brother at Liberal and two sons at El Paso, Texas, and was taken ill with pneumonia the second day of her visit there. Her daughter, Miss Alice went to her, arriving the day before her death and everything possible was done to save her for her family and friends but death claimed her on Saturday morning at eight forty-five. The body arrived in Herington Monday morning accompanied by her daughter and her two sons, H. J. and J. F. O'Rourke and their wives. The older son B. J. O'Rourke of Parsons and his son, Bernard, arrived Sunday afternoon, also Mrs. C. G. Stevenson of Pratt, Kansas, a niece. The brother, T. J. McDermott of Liberal. Kansas, was prevented from coming by sudden illness. Mrs. O'Rourke has made her home with her daughter, Mrs. F. P. Connolly for over five years and the funeral was from this home to St. John's Catholic church where a High Requiem mass was said with Father J. B. Glynn officiating. Prayers for the repose of her soul were offered by the ladies of the Altar society and the Knights of Columbus at the home Monday afternoon and evening. Interment was made at St. John's cemetery. Out of town relatives and friends were Mr. and Mrs. J. F. O'Rourke and Mr. and Mrs. H. J. O'Rourke of El Paso, Texas; B. J. and Bernard O'Rourk of Parsons, Kansas; Mr. and Mrs. C. G. Stevenson of Pratt, Kansas; Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Cole of Dalhart, Texas; Mrs. Jas. Gleason and Mr. and Mrs. J. P. McSteen of Kansas City, Missouri and Mrs. John Crowley of Pratt, Kansas. Mary Ann McDermott was born near Cleveland, Ohio, August 20th, 1848 and died at El Paso, Texas, January 27, 1923. She was married to Bernard O'Rourke at St. Joseph's cathedral, St. Joseph, Missouri, August 26, 1866. Nine children were born of this union, three of whom died in infancy and one son, Domino, died May 4, 1807, being killed while in railroad service. Mr. O'Rourke died at Talmage, Nebraska, August 26, 1896. The O'Rourke's lived at St. Joseph, Missouri, for many years coming west with the Rock Island Railroad as it built from that place. Mrs. O'Rourke leaves the following children: - B. J. of Parsons, Kansas; ,J. F. and H. J. of El Paso, Texas; Miss. Alice and Mrs. F. P. Connolly of Herington, besides a brother, T. J. McDermott of Liberal, Kansas, and twelve grand children." Transcribed by Mary Cummins.

I may later post the maternal second great grandparents. For now the paternal side of the family is from Ireland, Wales, Kentucky, Missouri and Kansas. The maternal side of the family is from Georgia, Massachusetts, Canada and Wisconsin. The family history matches up perfectly with what Beto O'Rourke has said about his family tree. I've done the family trees and histories of other candidates and Beto is the only one who has been honest about his family history. Beto is a third generation Texan from El Paso.

Beto's wife Amy Hoover Sanders comes from an amazing family. They lived in Mexico and Texas. My family is from El Paso, Texas which is on the Mexican border. That's how my grandpa met my Nana. It was normal to go back and forth frequently over the border. Below is Amy's tree only to great grandparents. Amy's family is highly educated, successful and wealthy. They've been in Texas and Mexico for generations. One was a well known Texas Judge. They are from Germany and the US. They're also involved in a lot of philanthropy.

Amy Hoover Sanders, family tree, ancestry, heritage, Texas, Mexico, Germany

Someone wrote an article about my article. Very cool.

https://www.irishcentral.com/news/politics/irish-roots-beto-o-rourke

Mary Cummins of Animal Advocates is a wildlife rehabilitator licensed by the California Department of Fish and Game. Mary Cummins is also a licensed real estate appraiser in Los Angeles, California.

Mary Cummins, Mary K. Cummins, Mary Katherine Cummins, Mary Cummins-Cobb, Mary, Cummins, Cobb, real estate, appraiser, appraisal, instructor, teacher, Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, Pasadena, Brentwood, Bel Air, California, licensed, permitted, single family, condo, pud, hud, fannie mae, freddie mac, uspap, certified, residential, certified resident, apartment building, multi-family, commercial, industrial, expert witness, civil, criminal, orea, dre, insurance, bonded, experienced, bilingual, spanish, english, form, 1004, 2055, land, raw, acreage, vacant, insurance, cost, income approach, market analysis, comparative, theory, appraisal theory, cost approach, sales, matched pairs, plot, plat, map, diagram, photo, photographs, photography, rear, front, street, subject, comparable, sold, listed, active, pending, expired, cancelled, listing, mls, multiple listing service, claw, themls,

Sunday, December 16, 2018

Who is Judge Reed O'Connor, Reed Charles O'Connor who ruled against ACA? Family, history, ancestry, controversies - Mary Cummins

Judge Reed O'Connor, Reed Charles O'Connor, The federalist society, aca, obamacare, affordable care act, texas, houston, tammy herrin, mother, father, ancestry, family tree, heritage, dna, gop, republican, mary cummins

Who is Judge Reed O'Connor, Reed Charles O'Connor, who just ruled against the Affordable Care Act, ACA, Obamacare? Until very recently he was relatively unknown. That was until he made it known that he will rule against any Obama related case that comes before him regardless of law or evidence. These cases have since been landing in his court because the Plaintiffs have shopped the lawsuits into his court. It's called "gaming the system."

So far since 2016 Judge Reed O'Connor has blatantly ruled against three of Obama's policies regardless of the law or evidence in regard to sexual discrimination, gender identity and currently the ACA. With GOP Trump as President Judge Reed feels empowered to rule as he pleases. His goal is to eventually be appointed to a higher court as a reward for doing the bidding of the Federalist Society and GOP. He and Senator Cornyn stated this publicly. Here is his profile in the Federalist Society website. He's a speaker at their events.

Of important note is that Judge Reed O'Connor is a GOP member of The Federalist Society. The Federal Society states they are a "conservative" organization that believes in the "original interpretation of the Constitution." That is just a euphemistic way of stating they will always rule for big business, wealthy, men, Christians, GOP, Republicans over poor, women, disabled, people of color, any religion other than Christianity, immigrants, choice and LGBTQ.

During the eight years of the Obama's presidency the GOP controlled the House and Senate. They refused to fill vacant seats, benches with Obama's appointments. They wouldn't even give Merrick Garland a hearing. They intentionally left most of the seats open hoping, waiting for a GOP President. Since Trump was elected the GOP in concert with the Federalist Society have been giving Trump the list of judges he should choose. Trump has been appointing Federalist Society members to the Courts. This is and will continue to have a corrupt influence on our judicial system with Texas leading the way.

Here are a few news worthy rulings.

In 2008 he ruled against Latinos. Three Latinos sued to have the city council be more representative of the people they represent. All the city council members were white people living in cities where most of the population was Latino that lived outside of cities. Judge O'Connor ruled that the "Plaintiffs didn't meet their burden required by the Voting Rights Act or 14th Amendment." The City won the lawsuit. O'Connor will always rule for white Texas city, county, government.

2014 Judge Reed O'Connor sentenced a man to 15 years in prison when he kidnapped, beat a gay man he met online because he was gay. I believe they were both gay so how does he rule that it's more of a hate crime? Seems like a stiffer sentence because he was gay.

2015 Judge Reed O'Connor blocked medical leave for same sex couples. The US Justice Dept asked him to reconsider his order and he said no. O'Connor declined to state same sex married couples are spouses due to a 2005 gay marriage ban in Texas.

2016 Judge O'Connor ruled that Texas doesn't have to follow Federal Obama guidelines in regard to gender identity.

2017 Judge O'Connor issued an injunction against the federal mandate aimed to protect transgender people finding the federal health rule violates existing law. The Plaintiffs were Texas and religious groups that did not want to "provide medical care or insurance coverage for gender transitions, abortions, regardless of their contrary religious beliefs."

2017 Cornyn considered Reed O'Connor "a shoe-in" for the circuit court position later given to Justice Don Willett. They both rule according to Federalist Society and GOP. O'Connor was a former aid to Cornyn and he "raised his profile last year when he blocked a federal directive that required public schools to let transgender students use bathrooms consistent with their gender identity." This is why O'Connor ruled that way. He wants to be promoted. He'll do whatever the hell the GOP want in order to get a promotion.

Scroll down for the presentations made in the Senate Judiciary Committee appointing O'Connor in 2007.

Who is Reed Charles O'Connor the individual? He was born June 1, 1965 in Houston, Texas to George John O'Connor born in New Jersey 1936-1994 and Eileen Star Boyle born in Texas 1937-2018. Below is their wedding announcement. Seems Eileen's father was working in the middle east in Abaiq which is where Aramco oil was located in Saudi Arabia. Eileen studied there and in Rome finally graduating from Saint Agnes Academy in Houston. Reed's dad was an engineer graduating from the University of Houston. His mother was very pretty.

Eileen Star Boyle O'Connor

Eileen Star Boyle, George John O'Connor, wedding, marriage, houston, texas

His parents married in 1957 and divorced in 1981 when Reed was 16 years old. It was a contentious divorce. His mother was the plaintiff then his father counter sued. In 1983 mother asked for more child support. Father ultimately agreed. His siblings are John George, Kathleen Ann Carney and Michael Patrick O'Connor. Reed O'Connor married Tammy Sue Herrin born 1964 in 1990 in Houston, Texas. They have at least two children, Caitleen Eileen and Maggie.

I see a previous marriage in 1985 to Cody Sue Voss with a divorce in 1988. Reed was the defendant. His wife filed for the divorce with no children. Harris County, Texas for 198741144 - 7
Disposed (Final) O'CONNOR, CODYSUE VOSS vs. O'CONNOR, REED CHARLES (FAM) DEFENDANT - O'CONNOR, REED CHARLES Defendant - Civil 311 9/9/1987 DIVORCE

Reed O'Connor's paternal grandparents are George Lonsdale O'Connor born in New Jersey 1908-1976 and Mildred Reed born in New Jersey 1913-2006. Reed O'Connor's paternal great grandparents are George Joseph O'Connor born in Pennsylvania 1879-1952, Edith May Lonsdale born in New Jersey 1881-1949, Frederick Reed born in New Jersey 1888-1934 and Wladyslawa "Lottie" Kuczyusky born in Poland 1894-1978.

Reed O'Connor's maternal grandparents are John Gerard Boyle Sr born in Ireland 1895-1983 and Marie Prayhoda born in Germany 1906-1976. Reed O'Connor's paternal great grandparents are Owen Boyle born in Ireland 1859-1901, Mary Gallagher born in Ireland 1867-1962, Franz Joseph Pryhoda born in Hungary 1873-1952 and Hermine Matthes born then Germany which is now France 1874-1944.

Judge Reed O'Connor's ancestry is mainly Irish mixed with some German and Polish. They were all immigrants fleeing oppression to come to the new world for opportunity. The son of immigrants seeking freedom and justice is now working to limit freedom and justice in this country.

Here are the presentations made in the Senate Judiciary Committee appointing him in October 21, 2007. You'll notice some familiar names, i.e. Senator Orrin Hatch, Senator JohnCornyn... who also approved Brett Kavanaugh and Justice Willett. The ones in favor are also Christian, GOP, Federalist Society members who ruled according to the Federalist Society unwritten mission statement. Notice Reed O'Connor served on the Judiciary Committee staff.

"Senator Hutchison. Of course. Of course. Well, I'm very
pleased to be here to introduce fellow Texan, Reed O'Connor, as
the nominee for U.S. District judge for the Northern District
of Texas. I also welcome his wife, Tammy, his children, Caitlin
and Maggie, and his mother, Eileen.
Reed is very well-known to this committee. He served on the
Judiciary Committee staff. He is a nominee that I think
everyone is going to feel comfortable with because he has been
counsel on this committee to both Senator Cornyn, and before
that, to Orrin Hatch. He is now Senator Cornyn's chief counsel,
so I know that Senator Cornyn will vouch for him personally,
and will also be able to speak on his behalf.
Reed has had a lot of other experience that is important as
well. He has been an Assistant U.S. Attorney and an associate
at Vincent & Elkins law firm, so while he knows the Judiciary
staff and knows the constitutional issues that are so important
for a Federal judge, he has also been on the ground.
He was Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of
Texas, and before that, a State prosecutor in the Tarrant
County District Attorney's Office in Ft. Worth for 4 years.
His private practice was with Vincent & Elkins law firm for
5 years, a top national firm where he did civil litigation. He
has also participated in significant pro bono work, which I
think is important for a Federal judge. He volunteered for the
Houston Volunteer Lawyers Program and the Legal Line Program,
which are sponsored by the Houston Bar Association, and he also
worked with teenagers in the North Richland Hills Teen Court
Program, a program in the Northern District of Texas.
Reed has demonstrated his strong intellect through academic
credentials, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree at
the University of Houston, and then graduating summa cum laude
from South Texas School of Law with the second-highest grade
point average in his class.
I am pleased that he meets the high standards that we hold.
The Northern District is a great district, with distinguished
judges. I think Reed O'Connor will fit very well because he has
a record of public service, private practice, trial experience,
and also prosecutorial experience. I think this diverse
background, along with his experience in the U.S. Senate, will
make him a wonderful candidate for Federal judge, and I hope
that we can expeditiously refer him to the Senate for
confirmation.
Thank you.
Senator Whitehouse. Thank you, Senator Hutchison. Thank you
again for your patience.
Senator Cornyn.

PRESENTATION OF REED CHARLES O'CONNOR, NOMINEE TO BE U.S.
DISTRICT JUDGE FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT BY HON. JOHN CORNYN, A
U.S. SENATOR FROM THE STATE OF TEXAS

Senator Cornyn. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I'm pleased to be
here with Senator Hutchison to heartily endorse the nomination
of Reed O'Connor to be a U.S. Federal District judge for the
Northern District of Texas.
As the Chairman and our colleagues know, my background is
one as a State District court judge and State Supreme Court
judge. We actually call ourselves, tongue-in-cheek, Members of
Congress who are former judges, as part of the ``Recovering
Judge Caucus''. But I have a great affection for not only the
legal profession, but for the men and women who serve in the
Nation's judiciary, both at the State and the Federal level.
Reed O'Connor served as the counsel to Chairman Hatch when he
was chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee and has served
as my chief counsel since 2005, therefore I am unabashedly
biased in my recommendation.
I also want to point out that Senator Hutchison--and I have
continued, since I succeeded Senator Graham, with the Federal
Judicial Evaluation Committee process, where we get the leading
members of the Bar throughout the State of Texas to evaluate
all nominees. We have consistently sent to the President names
based on merit, and Reed's nomination fits in that tradition.
I would also say that it is important to me personally, and
I would think to the Chairman and to all members of the
Judiciary Committee, that we not disqualify outstanding lawyers
who volunteer and sacrifice so much to serve in the Senate and
on the Judiciary Committee when it comes to considering them
for nominations. They should not get a leg up, but they should
not be disqualified either. So I am proud that Reed's
nomination is being made today based on what he brings to the
table and what he has to offer.
I can tell you personally that Reed is known throughout his
career as somebody who works well with others--not always easy
for lawyers--no matter what their walk of life, and treats
everyone with fairness and respect.
I know the Judiciary Committee staff and the members of the
committee will agree with me when I say that he brought his
personable demeanor and commitment to fairness to work day in
and day out on the Judiciary Committee, often daily working
closely with staffers across the aisle to forge bipartisan
consensus on significant national issues.
Senator Hutchison has appropriately noted his extensive
litigation experience, which, as I said, as a former judge, is
important to me. We want somebody who has actually been in the
arena who knows what they're supposed to do, and can do it
well. But Reed's also been a very important part of my efforts,
as well as Senator Hatch's, to work on a bipartisan basis on
issues of national importance. For example, he's worked with
Chairman Leahy's office on passing open government legislation,
which I am proud to co-sponsor with Senator Leahy and which we
have advanced.
He has also worked closely with Senator Feinstein's staff
and Senator Schumer's staff to draft legislation to combat gang
violence, and has advised me on a number of other complex legal
and policy issues, including Federal criminal and
constitutional law, immigration, national security, and
international human rights issues.
Reed is also highly respected among his peers in the
Northern District Bar, and this shines through in the numerous
letters of support that he has received. For example, Jeffrey
Kurritan, a partner at Kurritan & Gordon, notes his dedication
to the legal profession is ``matched only by his always-present
compassion and sense of duty to do the right thing.''
Andrew Beech, an Assistant District Attorney in Dallas
County, remarked that ``Reed's reputation among the North Texas
legal community is outstanding and above reproach. His demeanor
and temperament are ideal for a judicial candidate, and his
dedication to justice is unmatched. He has a personality that
will serve the Federal bench well.''
Betty Arvin, Deputy Chief of the Criminal Division of the
Tarrant County District Attorney's Office, noted that ``Reed
has served in many diverse roles as an attorney. To each
endeavor, he has brought intelligence, commitment, and
outstanding judgment.''
And finally, Kurt Stallings, Assistant District Attorney in
Tarrant County, remarked that, ``In 20 years of legal practice,
civil and criminal, Federal and State, I've never worked with
an attorney as mentally agile, personally disciplined, and
consistently sensible as Reed O'Connor,'' strong praise,
indeed.
But as Senator Hutchison notes, beyond his work experience
he has been very active in providing legal services to the poor
as both an instructor and judge for the North Richland Hills
Teen Court program. As a full-time attorney and father to his
young children and a husband to his wife, it is telling that
Reed took time to impress the importance of public service and
respect for the justice system to those troubled young people.
Finally, let me say that in addition to his wealth of civil
and criminal litigation experience and outstanding service to
the U.S. Senate, it's easy to see why the American Bar
Association voted Reed ``Unanimously Well Qualified'', which's
the American Bar Association's highest rating.
I know Reed personally as a capable and outstanding lawyer
who maintains the highest ethical standards, and I believe he
exceeds the high standards we hold for all of our judicial
nominees, and appropriately so. I firmly believe, Mr. Chairman,
that he will make a fine judge for many years to come.
I want to express my gratitude to you, Mr. Chairman, for
presiding over today's hearing, and to Chairman Leahy for
scheduling it. I commend and enthusiastically recommend this
nominee to all our colleagues. Thank you.
Senator Whitehouse. Well, I am very happy to do it, Senator
Cornyn. I very much appreciate your testimony on behalf of this
nominee.
What we are going to do, is to rearrange the table so that
we can consider the nomination of Ronald Tenpas for a position
in the Department of Justice. I will make a brief opening
statement after that, and I suspect Mr. Tenpas will make a
brief opening statement after that. Then whatever Senators are
present can engage in a colloquy with the candidate for that
position. I expect that that will take all of 15 to 20 minutes.
So for those who have children in the room who wish to maybe
take them for a walk in the hallway or whatever, if you are
here for a judicial candidate, you will have a little window to
do that. But I ask your patience while that takes place.
Then we will call forward at the end of that the judicial
nominees and proceed to the end of the hearing.
Senator Cornyn. Mr. Chairman, may I be recognized for a
brief unanimous consent request?
Senator Whitehouse. Absolutely.
Senator Cornyn. Senator Specter, the Ranking Member, has
asked me to ask unanimous consent that his opening statement on
the nomination of Ronald J. Tenpas be accepted as part of the
record following, of course, the Chairman's remarks.
Senator Whitehouse. Without objection, it will be so.
Senator Cornyn. Thank you.
[The prepared statement of Senator Specter appears as a
submission for the record.]
[Pause]
Senator Whitehouse. Will the committee room please come to
order?
Ronald Tenpas, will you please stand to be sworn?
[Whereupon, the witness was duly sworn.]
Senator Whitehouse. Thank you very much. Please be seated.
"