Senator Eliot Shapleigh - El Paso, Texas

"On March 23, 2010 in Mexico City, the U.S. and Mexico launched the foundation of a 21st century bilateral partnership called "The New Border Vision." After months of consultation with the Calderon administration and joined by Secretaries Gates and Napolitano, Secretary of State Clinton announced a new policy named "Beyond Merida." The new federal accord has four key policy pillars: disrupt capacity of organized crime to operate; institutionalize capacity to sustain rule of law; create a 21st century border structure; and build strong and resilient communities. Here in the "Pass of the North," Beyond Merida must mean safety, jobs and mobility."

When doctors call Elva Torres about the opening at the remote Presidio County Medical Clinic, the first thing she does is send them a map. She rarely hears back.

“Somebody once told me, ‘Just don’t tell them how much you pay first,’” said Torres, the clinic administrator. “I told them, ‘I never even get that far!’”

Texas voters have spoken and a convincing majority approved a half-billion-dollar fund to enable Texas Tech and six other emerging universities in the state to become national research institutions.

But it is still unclear how long it's going to be for Tech or any of the other schools to get the prestigious designation, better known as Tier One or flagship.

“It’s mighty reckless to mess with Texas.” Many of us remember Johnny Dee & The Rocket 88’s singing those now-famous lyrics when the “Don’t Mess with Texas” campaign launched in 1986.

State Sen. Eliot Shapleigh, El Paso's tireless adovcate for the poor and underpriveleged, announced today that he will not be running for re-election in 2010.

"While other public service may lie ahead, I will not run for the Texas Senate in 2010," Shapleigh said in a statement. "In public life, especially in Texas during this decade, doing what's right, not what's expedient is what matters. I am grateful to the people who elected me for the opportunity to serve."