Today, June 6th, is the anniversary of the Normandy landings. On this date in 1944, American and allied forces conducted the largest combat amphibious invasion in history, storming the Normandy beaches with over 160,000 men.  Ronald Reagan's 1984 "Point du Hoc" speech described well the valor of the men who fought that day and the cause that their courage and sacrifice served. He said:

We have learned something in the wake of the Horizon Deepwater oil leak in the gulf: Don't send a lawyer to do an engineer's job.

Many challenges we face in public policy and in crisis management require an understanding of technical issues and consequences, and the ability to marshall the expertise to fix difficult problems. It has been disconcerting to see Obama administration violate principles of crisis management and take a lawyer's approach to a crisis that requires an engineering and executive skillset to handle.

I had the opportunity to speak briefly at the LULAC candidate reception this Thursday. I mentioned my own children in school, how great it was that this event was funding scholarship, and I conveyed my commitment to the best possible education for all Texas schoolchildren. The event itself was to support scholarships, which is always a worthy cause. I had the opportunity to meet students who attend the east Austin charter school, Austin CAN. The future of Texas is in their hands.

Residents in my neighborhood are alarmed about plans for transmission line for WTP#4 and a proposed excavation shaft on our road in our neighborhood. The WTP #4 Jollyville transmission line is planned to go seven miles, from WTP #4 near 620 to the Jollyville water tower at 183 and McNeil, and would be tunnelled the whole route. The planned route goes through Balcones Preserve and under Spicewood Springs Rd, and they plan on putting a large excavation shaft on the corner of Spicewood Springs Road & Old Lampasas Trail.

While we enjoy another holiday weekend with fun activities and gearing up for summer, who need to remember the reason for this special day. This Memorial Day belongs to those who have gone before us and made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our country. On this day, we remember and honor their sacrifice, their heroism, and their patriotism. We owe this day to those who made our country and our freedom possible, the fallen heroes.