Joyce Akins,  our club President,  called the meeting to order at 10:10 a.m.  Several candidates and/or candidate representatives introduced themselves, including Rep. Scott Hochberg, Paul Simon and Mike Laster, who spoke on behalf of several countywide candidates, including Ann Bennett and Diane Trautman.

Bert Anson spoke about upcoming county events and distributed a handout on the Win Again in 2010 event on Sunday at Pappas Bar-B-Q.

The minutes of the August 28th meeting were read and  two changes were made. Guylene gave the Treasurer's report--our balance is $707 and we recently sent $100 to the USO. Both reports were approved.

Joyce discussed the upcoming JRR dinner and her desire for a Sharpstown table. The Board offered to give a $10 discount to any club  member who is buying a ticket to attend, but the club voted to give a free ticket to a Sharpstown High School student.

Joyce brought us up to date on our planned immigration panel to be held after the first of year.  She has several possible panelists in mind.

Joe Mumbach, VP, reported on the Sharpstown High School voter registration day--the students went to four locations and signed up voters and it was a great event.

Our guest, Congressman Al Green, arrived and was introduced by Joyce.  Rep. Green represents the 9th Congressional District in Texas.

Congressman Green spoke to power us up to support Bill White as Texas Governor and to support all Democratic candidates.  He stated that the Republicans took over two years to do a "pledge" while the Democrats have been doing a "PLAN".  We have money and a great message.  Club members were encouraged to actually read the Republicans 2010 State Party Platform (www.texasgop.org; click on GOP principles) to see what they really want to do: do away with Social Security and benefits, abolish all federal agencies not specific in the Constitution (i.e. FDA, Department of Education, Department of Energy).

Green stated that the Health Care Plan is a good plan that may need a bit of tweaking.  The fact is that before this bill was passed, pregnancy was a "pre-existing" condition!  The Plan closes the donut hole for those on Medicare.

The Republicans say no to everything but told the Democrats to clean up their mess and it's still the Republican's mess.  Bush caused  two unpaid for wars and gave millionaires tax cuts.  Green stated it is a myth that millionaires create jobs...instead demand creates jobs and spending creates demand. Tax cuts should go to the middle class who will spend and stimulate commerce.

Green mentioned that the Republicans' so-called businesses to receive tax breaks include Price Waterhouse Cooper, Koch Industries, Enterprise Products, Coors, etc.,--not so small businesses!

Regarding immigration reform, there may be a lame duck session although the Republicans don't want it.  There is more to immigration than sealing the borders like the Republicans want  Green supports the Dream Act--children who were brought to this country young, received an education, joined the military, etc., would be able to become citizens. There is a law called "Wet Foot Dry Foot" that gives Cubans a special pathway to citizenship which is not fair to people who come from other countries.  Those who have come and stayed or overstayed their visas are not leaving and we do not want to create an underclass and the problems associated with this.

There are bills being debated to let the FDA recall foods but the Republicans are against it.  Regarding oil drilling, BP has been irresponsible, they build in lives lost to their cost of doing business.  We have to take care of human lives.  The drilling moratorium should be lifted after certain standards are met.

More comments from Green include:  Hedge fund managers only pay 15% capital gains tax and Republicans are protecting them.  Regarding net neutrality, Congress to regulate the Internet but no legislation is in the works yet.  Banks--trying to loosen the banks' purse strings by the small business bill just passed to stimulate lending by smaller banks in hopes it will encourage big banks to start lending.

Q&A followed and the meeting was adjourned at 12 noon. Several club members took photographs with Rep. Green after the meeting adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Haper