Former Texas speaker Jim Wright speaks in Longview

Jim Wright, former speaker of the US House of Representatives, will speak Tuesday, April 26, at 7 p.m. at the IBEW union hall in Longview on the “Community and the Workforce.”

Wright's visit, which is free and open to anyone, is sponsored by the Gregg County Democratic Party and is part of the “Water Cooler ’05” series of public forums with Speaker Wright heading up the panel. Also on the panel is an economist, a union official, local business owners, and a workers’ advocate. Steve Richardson, vice chair of the Gregg County Democratic Party, will moderate the forum.

The public is invited to attend and to participate in the question and answer “town hall” style event at the IBEW union hall at 2914 East Marshall Avenue just west of Loop 281. There is no charge to attend.

Former Speaker Wright, a Democrat from Texas' 12th District, served in the US House of Representatives from 1955 to 1989. He was speaker of the House from 1987 to 1989, after he served as majority leader for 10 years. He is the author of major legislation in the fields of foreign affairs, economic development, water conservation, education and energy. He chaired the Democratic National Convention in 1988. Before he was elected to Congress at the age of 31, he served in the Texas legislature and as mayor of Weatherford, his boyhood home (he was elected to those offices at the ages of 23 and 26, respectively).

He was also the president of the Texas League of Municipalities. He won a Distinguished Flying Cross in World War II for his combat missions with the Army Air Corps in the South Pacific. He is the author of six books. Now 82 and living in Fort Worth, he teaches a class at Texas Christian University, writes columns and book reviews for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram and other Knight Ridder publications, and is a consultant to American Income Life Insurance Company.

Richardson said Wright was invited to kick off the “Water Cooler ’05” series of public forums because his philosophy of standing up for the little guy embodies what the Democratic Party stands for today.

Richardson cited differences between Democrats and Republicans and said he believes Democrats do a better job than Republicans do at legislation that helps workers.

“Wright will talk to us about issues related to US workers today. His presentation will be of interest to all who have a job or hire workers.”

The Gregg County Democratic Party sponsors the forum “Water Cooler ‘05” series held on the fourth Tuesday of each month at the IBEW hall in Longview.