This rite of custom brings us together at a defining hour — when decisions are hard and courage is tested. We enter the year 2007 with large endeavors under way and others that are ours to begin. In all of this, much is asked of us. We must have the will to face difficult challenges and determined enemies — and the wisdom to face them together.

To appreciate just how difficult President Bush's task would be in delivering a successful State of the Union Address last night, imagine yourself in the unenviable position of Bush's speechwriter.

Overall, I thought President Bush's State of the Union address last night was good - especially when it came to Iraq. And I strongly encourage the administration to continue its defense of the president's new strategy. Before getting to his Iraq policy, President Bush took a few moments to remind his audience about our enemy:

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki had a surprise for President Bush when they sat down with their aides in the Four Seasons Hotel in Amman, Jordan. Firing up a PowerPoint presentation, Maliki and his national security adviser proposed that U.S. troops withdraw to the outskirts of Baghdad and let Iraqis take over security in the strife-torn capital. Maliki said he did not want any more U.S. troops at all, just more authority.

Senate Democrats and Republicans broke a difficult stalemate last night and approved 96 to 2 expansive legislation to curtail the influence of lobbyists, tighten congressional ethics rules and prevent the spouses of senators from lobbying senators and their staffs.

Conservative Republican Senator Sam Brownback from Kansas announced his candidacy for President today in Topeka, Kansas. Brownback emphasized his social conservative views in his announcement and said that he planned to attend the March for Life Rally in Washington, D.C., on Monday. He also pledged to oppose any tax increases if elected President.

Empower Texans, an organization calling for less state government spending, is spearheading a direct mail campaign encouraging senators to return the $14.3 billion surplus to taxpayers.

Gov. Rick Perry and Chairman Tom Pauken unveiled the final report of the Texas Commission on Appraisal Reform today. “Today’s recommendations provide better protections for taxpayers from silent tax hikes, more accountability through elected representation on appraisal review boards, and greater tax predictability for homebuyers,” Perry said. r.

The Texas Public Policy Foundation applauded Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, Speaker Tom Craddick, and the members of the Legislative Budget Board for introducing a 2008-09 state budget that restrains spending increases well within population growth plus inflation.

What can possibly be wrong with letting low-income parents use their tax dollars to save their children from failing schools in Texas' largest cities? As has been proven in San Antonio over the past ten years where Dr. Jim Leininger and others have funded $50 million of scholarships to low-income minority students, nine of ten of these first-come, first-served students went on to college on their families’ own dime. In San Antonio and elsewhere in the nation, there are not enough spots to satisfy the demand for school choice options.

Standing before you today, I feel so many different emotions. I am honored. I am appreciative, as we all join in celebration of the people’s sovereignty the hallmark of freedom, and the enduring wisdom of our democratic republic.