U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Texas, encourages involvement during a speech Nov. 2 in Koehler. Photo by Sergio Ramirez
By INGRID WILGEN
icobham@student.alamo.edu
It is hard to make a difference when standing alone, U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Texas, said Nov. 2 at the Texas Junior College Student Government Association Region 6 Conference in Koehler Cultural Center.
He told delegates to network and learn to work together because a unified voice is a strong voice.
Doggett was elected Tuesday to represent the new District 35, which goes from San Antonio to Austin.
The former justice on the Texas Supreme Court has served in Congress since 1994.
Attending the conference hosted by the Student Government Association were representatives of two-year colleges including Del Mar College in Corpus Christi and Victoria College in Victoria along with representatives of campus clubs.
Jacob Wong, psychology sophomore and SGA president, President Robert Zeigler and Alamo Colleges District 1 trustee Joe Alderete introduced the congressman and explained the importance of student government. A common thread was the need to advocate for education.
Doggett said had it not been for his 1967 term as student government president at the University of Texas in Austin, he would not be in Congress today.
Pointing out the importance of unity he said, “ I know that if you go to Austin alone, or to the trustees meeting here alone, or to the city council or other level of government, you speak only for yourself.
“But in building support with all the students and reflecting that in the work of your student government, then networking with similar student governments across the region, you can have a more effective voice.”
Doggett said he is fighting for the future of higher education by trying to find ways to prevent the increasing costs of education from shifting onto students.
He said not everyone will go on to serve an elected office, but they can be informed, active citizens making a difference in the community.
