Democratic Party of Collin County

220 Collin County Citizens and Supporters gathered at the Heritage Country Club this past Saturday to celebrate the life and accomplishments of former Governor Ann Richards with food, laughter and song.

Keynote speaker, former State Comptroller John Sharp, shared wonderful stories of his years working with Ann Richards, including the day she placed a red ‘hotline’ in his office.  Shortly after he noticed it, it rang and he found Ann on the other end of the line.  She advised him that since Bush and Gorbachov had a hotline, she thought the two of them should have a hotline.  When John Sharp later attempted to use the hotline to share a joke with Richards, he couldn’t get it to work.  Calling on the regular line, he advised her that his end of the hotline didn’t work.  “Honey,” she purred, “It ain’t your hotline.”  Later, when newly elected Governor George Bush asked him how he’d like to be addressed, he said he had no preference.  “Well, what did the last governor call you?” Bush asked. “Darlin',” Sharp replied.

Senator Royce West, guest speaker, gave pointers on how to turn Collin County blue, from lessons learned in Dallas County in 2004 and 2006.
 
U.S. Senate candidate Rick Noriega shared stories of his time working with Ann Richards and his pride in the progress the Democratic Party had achieved in the recent months, declaring they’d turned a purple county blue.  The crowd responded with cheers and applause.
 
Other guest speakers U.S. Congress District 4 Candidate Glenn Melancon, Railroad Commissioner Candidate Mark Thompson, Collin County Precinct 3 Commissioner Candidate Victor Manuel , Collin County Precinct 4 Collin County Commissioner Candidate Jean Power and 5th Court Justice Candidates Don Chae and David Hanschen.

Eight Collin County Mayors signed Proclamations declaring August 16, 2008 Ann Richards Day in their cities.  Plano , McKinney , Frisco, Dallas , Allen, Wylie, Celina and Prosper presented the proclamations to various Democratic Organizers and Candidates in the week prior to the event.  These Proclamations were read at the unveiling of the newly framed Ann Richards portrait at the Democratic Party of Collin County Offices as part of the morning kick off of the day’s events.

 
DPCC Chairman Dan Dodd, Candidate Tom Daley, DPCC Executive Director Mary Ann Patrick and
supporters Launch Ann Richards Day With Photo Unveiling

A silent auction, held during the dinner, added to the fun and raised funds for the Democratic Party of Collin County.  Donations ranged from signed books donated by Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson and Texas Author, Speaker and Commentator Jim Hightower to items donated by staunch local supporters.

Cecile Richards, activist and daughter of Ann Richards submitted a welcome video in honor of the event, encouraging supporters to keep up the fight.

John and Liz Weddle with event organizer Dottie Jones

A video montage of Ann’s life, first presented at the Texas State Democratic Convention, drew both laughter and tears from the crowd.  An original song tribute to Ann, by Brooke Beasley and Jacob Johnson, “You Left Too Soon”, brought the crowd to their feet, applauding the perfect end to a wonderful evening.

Mary Ann Patrick, Executive Director of the Democratic Party of Collin County deemed the evening a brilliant success.  “Thanks to the work of many committed individuals, specifically event coordinator Dottie Jones, we’ve had a wonderful time to celebrate the life of a truly great woman."