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On April 8, 2000, Texas State Senator Rodney Ellis (CPA Board member, Flemming Fellow `94) was sworn in as the Governor of Texas for a day. Ellis serves as the President Pro Tempore, the third highest state official in Texas. Under longstanding Texas tradition, the President Pro Tempore is sworn in as Governor on a day when both the Governor and Lieutenant Governor are out of the state. During the inaugural ceremony on the Capital grounds Ellis was officially sworn in as Governor for a Day with all the powers of the office. In actuality, Ellis has served more days (31) as Governor than any President Pro Tempore in recent memory because of Governor Bush’s
presidential campaign. But on April 8, 2000, the celebration and swearing-in ceremony honored the Senator, his family, and his legislative accomplishments.
During the commencement speech, Governor Ellis explained his hopes for more diversity
of legislators in Texas, "It is my hope and dream that one day, a day in the not too distant future, we will gather here to swear in an African American, or an Hispanic, or an Asian American as Governor of Texas, and not just for one day but for a full four years. For the people of this state are as rich and diverse as our land, and our higher offices should reflect that diversity. I hope this day serves as a catalyst for someone–perhaps African American or Hispanic or perhaps another woman–to take on the odds, to defy conventional wisdom, run, win and serve as Governor of Texas."
As State Senator, Ellis has an impressive history of legislative accomplishments. He has introduced nearly 300 bills. With his progressive agenda, Ellis supported legislation to create a Community Reinvestment Work Group to develop investment strategies for economic development and job creation. Ellis has supported the Texas Grant Program, a Hope Scholarship giving Texas students the financial backing to pursue college. In addition, Ellis passed Motor Voter Registration, bonuses for public school teachers, summer food service programs, contracts with historically underutilized businesses, and low-income housing tax credits. Senator Ellis has also championed civil rights and justice. He passed legislation creating the Hate Crime Reporting Statute requiring local law enforcement to report acts of hate. In five years in the Texas
Senate, Ellis has had a major impact on Texas. As Governor for a Day, Ellis joined Barbara Jordan and Craig Washington as the only African Americans to serve as Governor
of Texas.
CPA Executive Vice President Delba Riddick and Joe Leonard, CPA Coordinator of the Southeast Policy Leaders Forum, attended all the weekend events and were panelists for topical sessions. CPA was honored to share this day with Senator Ellis. "It was the privilege of CPA to be invited by Senator Ellis for his ‘Governor for a Day’ ceremonies and be on hand to assist the Texas legislative Black Caucus weekend events which were held concurrently," says Leonard.
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