Jim Wright; Wrestlemania
Jim Wright
Speaker of the House Jim Wright, whose 93rd birthday would have been today (Tuesday, Dec. 22), died seven months ago on May 6. His wife Betty followed two months later and is buried beside him.
Wright was driven from power by billowing, horrendous charges because he wrote a book that netted a paltry $50,000 royalty, when speakers of his time were netting more than that for a single speech.
Far from returning home to lick his wounds (of which there were many, both political and physical), this statesman of the last half of the 20th century stood out like a 10-fold beacon in the night, writing, teaching and inspiring.
Jim had a golden voice and a silver tongue that commanded the applause of listening House and Senate members. Now because of a damnable tumor, a lisping, stammering tongue lies silent in the grave.
Over that grave in Weatherford's Greenwood Cemetery, his friends should erect a monument proclaiming that he who lies beneath surrendered office, place and power rather than bow to the gods of vilification, vituperation and vindictiveness.
Jim Wright — American, Texan and Democrat, in that order — rest in peace.
Don Woodard Sr., Fort Worth
WrestleMania
I was dismayed to learn that WrestleMania is getting a $2.7 million state subsidy to stage an event next year at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.
In three months, our governor’s office has approved more than $26 million in such grants from the Events Trust Fund. Included are almost $2 million for the Austin Grand Prix, a vanity race that most Texans have never seen. Also: $447,000 for the Valero Alamo Bowl. Shouldn’t Valero foot the bill for its signature bowl event?
In addition to the Major Events Trust Fund, we have the Events Trust Fund, funding sporting events and conventions; the Major Sports Racing Trust Fund, for auto racing; and the Special Events Trust Fund, supporting who knows what.
Isn’t there a better use of our taxes?
Legislators, wake up and smell the coffee.
Harry Thompson, Bedford
This story was originally published December 21, 2015 at 5:23 PM with the headline "Jim Wright; Wrestlemania."