MINUTES 
                                           
                          SENATE COMMITTEE ON NOMINATIONS 
                            Wednesday, February 2, 2005 
                           2:00 p.m. or upon adjournment 
                           Capitol Extension, Room E1.028 
                                           
                                       ***** 
                                           
         Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule  
         11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Nominations  
         was held on Wednesday, February 2, 2005, in the Capitol  
         Extension, Room E1.028, at Austin, Texas. 
          
                                       ***** 
                                           
         MEMBERS PRESENT:                        MEMBERS ABSENT: 
         Senator Jon Lindsay                     Senator Barrientos 
         Senator Bob Deuell 
         Senator Kevin Eltife 
         Senator Mike Jackson 
         Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr. 
         Senator Jane Nelson 
                                           
                                       ***** 
                                           
         The Chair called the meeting to order at 2:03 p.m.  There being  
         a quorum present, the following business was transacted:  
          
         The Chair laid out committee rules for the 79th legislative  
         session. Vice-chair Deuell moved to adopt the rules; there being  
         no objection the rules were adopted. 
          
         Chairman Lindsay introduced the Nominations committee staff  
         members. All members present introduced their staff. Chairman  
         Lindsay then recognized the two new committee members Senator  
         Lucio and Senator Nelson for comments. 
          
         Chairman Lindsay passed out a list of all boards and commissions  
         that need to be confirmed during the 79th legislative session  
         noting that additional boards and commissions would be submitted  
         throughout session. 
          
         At 2:13 p.m., Chairman Lindsay recognized Senator Craig Estes to  
         introduce the nominee for Secretary of State, J. Roger Williams.  
         Calling him a patriot, a philanthropist and outstanding in  
         everything he has ever undertaken, Senator Estes introduced the  
         105th Secretary of State, Mr. J. Roger Williams.  
         Mr. Williams gave brief remarks about himself, his family, his  
         approach to business and his vision for the future of Texas. He  
         emphasized the importance of voter education, business and  
         public filings, business development and border affairs. Senator  
         Lindsay asked how many people Williams employed and Williams  
  
         answered 244. Williams testified his approach to business  
         development in Texas would be done with a retail mentality in  
         efforts to sell Texas and it's attributes to rest of the world. 
          
         The chair recognized Senator Lucio who mentioned two specific  
         areas of concern -voter turnout and border affairs- then  
         complimented Governor Perry's appointment of Buddy Garcia,  
         William's Assistant Secretary of State. 
          
         The Chair recognized Senator Nelson for comments. She asked for  
         William's thoughts on beefing up voter turnout. Williams  
         mentioned a privately funded program called Project Vote.  
         Developed for grades 7- 12 , Project Vote will include the  
         involvement of the military to remind students that voting is  
         both a right and a privilege that our country holds dear and  
         will protect at all cost. 
          
         The Chair recognized Senator Lucio who informed the committee  
         that Senator Barrientos was ill but sent his best wishes to the  
         committee and Mr. Williams. 
          
         The Chair recognized Vice-chairman Deuell who said the northern  
         border senators were also glad to have Buddy Garcia as Assistant  
         Secretary of State. He challenged Williams to make sure  
         elections were fair and honest. 
          
         The Chair recognized Senator Mike Jackson who described his  
         involvement with a piece of legislation allowing astronauts on  
         the space station to vote while insuring voter security. Senator  
         Jackson stressed importance of integrity and security in voting,  
         especially for servicemen and women. 
          
         Chairman Lindsay moved that the committee vote to confirm  
         William's appointment. By a vote of 6 ayes and 0 nays the  
         committee confirmed Williams's nomination and sent it to the  
         full Senate for confirmation. 
          
         Chairman Lindsay then asked for a motion to confirm all the  
         nominees who did not appear from the following entities: the  
         Texas Appraiser Licensing and Certification Board, State Board  
         of Trustees of the Texas Statewide Emergency Services Personnel  
         Retirement Fund, 
         Texas Board of Professional Engineers, Finance Commission of  
         Texas, Fire Fighter's Pension Commissioner, On-Site Wastewater  
         Treatment Research Council, One Call Board, 
         Texas State Board of Examiners of Perfusionists, Texas State  
         Board of Plumbing Examiners, Texas Public Finance Authority and  
         the Texas County and District Retirement System. 
               
         The Chair asked for a motion. Senator Lucio moved that a vote be  
         taken to confirm said nominees. By a vote of 6 ayes and 0 nays,  
         all non-appearing nominees were passed out of committee and sent  
         to full Senate for confirmation. 
  
         The Chair informed the committee that his intention is to hold  
         regularly scheduled meetings on Mondays at 2:00 or upon  
         adjournment. 
          
         Chairman Lindsay recognized Ken Anderson, Director of  
         Governmental Appointments, who introduced his staff. 
          
         There being no more business, at 2:42 p.m., Chairman Lindsay  
         announced the committee would stand in recess subject to the  
         call of the chair. 
          
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         Senator Jon Lindsay, Chair                                         
         Jazen Wood, Clerk