Saturday, July 14, 2001

Texas loses a dedicated legislator

AUSTIN - Texas lost a courageous and committed leader with the death of state Sen. Tom Haywood, the Republican from Wichita Falls. The 61-year-old former physics professor died of a heart attack Thursday.
   Physically deteriorating from Parkinson's disease, Haywood forged ahead in the most recent legislative session and played a key role in shapintg the future of Texas.
   ''To his credit, he gave it his all right up until the end,'' said Bill Miller, an Austin political consultant.
   Haywood's health prohibited him from speaking clearly, and lawmakers often had to strain to understand him when he spoke. His daughter, Denise, was constantly at his side to help him get around during the session. Denise often propped up his eyelids while he read speeches and helped him keep his balance when he stood on the floor.
   Nevertheless, Haywood asked pointed questions on the Senate floor and in committee meetings -and pushed through legislation that was important to his district and the state.
   Haywood was a conservative Republican who advocated a streamlined government, individual responsibility, less regulation and an equitable tax system.
   But he crossed party lines during the legislative session and cast the deciding vote that allowed the Senate to debate a hate-crimes law. Without Haywood's vote to allow debate, the Senate would have never passed the bill.
   Haywood decided to allow debate after an emotional exchange on the Senate floor between supporters and opponents of the bill. ''I did what my conscience dictated me to do,'' Haywood told the Scripps Howard Austin Bureau at the time.
   But he played a major role in many other issues during the session. The Legislature passed 39 bills either written by Haywood, or House bills sponsored by him in the Senate.
   ''Although some of my bills did not pass, I really feel like this has been my most successful time in Austin, since first coming down here in 1995,'' Haywood said, adding that he was most proud of establishing a comprehensive agricultural policy for the first time in Texas.
   A touching tribute
   One of the most touching moments of the session was on the last day - when the Senate honored Denise Haywood for her dedication to her father. Tears rolled down Sen. Haywood's cheek as his colleagues praised his daughter.
   Despite Haywood's perseverance during the session, many lawmakers wondered if his illness would allow him to come back for another session. But Haywood clearly had no plans to quit.
   "The session has been long and hard-fought, but nothing good ever comes without a lot of hard work and sweat,'' he said. ''As always, I am honored and humbled to serve the citizens of Senate District 30. I look forward to coming home and talking to folks about what we have accomplished for them this session. I also look forward to the interim and the studies we will conduct before the next session.''_ Unfortunately, Haywood won't be back for another session. And his absence will leave a void in the Senate, especially on oil and gas and agriculture issues. He is a former executive director of the North Texas Oil & Gas Association and worked hard on issues affecting the industry.
   ''Sen. Haywood brought knowledge and expertise to the Texas Legislature that few others had,'' said Michael Williams, chairman of the Texas Railroad Commission. "Texans will miss his leadership.''
   Ty Meighan is chief of the Scripps Howard Austin Bureau and can be reached at 512-334-6640 or meighant@scripps.com.
  
  

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Ty Meighan is chief of the Scripps Howard Austin Bureau. You can reach him by phone at (512) 334-6640 or by email at meighant@scripps.com.

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