TAB presents two Legislative Leader Awards

posted on 8.13.2013

Texas broadcasters honored two outstanding leaders from the Texas House of Representatives on Thursday, Aug. 9 at the Annual Business Meeting.

The Hon. Todd Hunter, R-Corpus Christi, and The Hon. Tryon Lewis, R-Odessa, both received Legislative Leader Awards for championing the cause of Texas broadcasters on two different issues.

“Both Chairman Hunter and Chairman Lewis are respected for their legal brilliance, their sense of fairness and their commitment to doing what’s right for the people of Texas,” said TAB President Oscar Rodriguez.

“They were crucial not just to our success but also to crafting some far-reaching public policy that will serve this state well for decades to come.”

Chairman Lewis, is a retired state district Judge who chairs the House Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence Committee.

He courageously took on TAB’s pre-1972 sound recordings bill, worked through the disputes with the RIAA and ultimately passed the bill with a unanimous vote in the House and eventually the Senate. 

It became law this summer.

“When he agreed to take on our pre-72 sound recordings bill, he said it was a ‘righteous cause’ and that we were on the side of angels. And he made it happen,” Rodriguez said.

As Chairman of the House Calendars Committee, Rep. Hunter is one of the most sought-after bill sponsors in the House.

Even before he assumed this role, he was known to Texas broadcasters and others as someone who can build bridges to get things done.

Chairman Hunter authored the Defamation Mitigation Act this session, the anti-SLAPP law TAB passed last session, the fix to that law TAB requested this session, and the state media shield law – or Free Flow of Information Act – adopted in 2009.

He is a firm believer in Freedom of Information and in the role of the fourth estate in American society.

“Chairman Hunter sheds party labels to forge consensus on public policy and focuses squarely on ensuring Texas is well-positioned to meet the challenges of the 21st Century,” Rodriguez said.

“Texas broadcasters and all of Texas will be forever indebted to Chairman Hunter for his vision.”

Questions?  Contact TAB or call (512) 322-9944.

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