Leo Berman
Encyclopedia
Leo C. Berman is a retired businessman and military officer who has been a Republican
member of the Texas House of Representatives
from District 6 (Smith County
) since January 1999. Berman announced a challenge to Speaker
Joe Straus
of San Antonio
for the presiding officer's position in January 2011. Berman subsequently withdrew from the race, and Representative Warren Chisum
of Pampa
filed his candidacy for Speaker. Straus, however, was elected to a second term as Speaker in January 2011.
Berman has introduced legislation to require future presidential candidates to prove constitutional eligibility for office before they can be listed on the Texas ballot.
, Berman is a former lieutenant colonel in the United States Army
, with twenty-two years of service, Berman was awarded three Bronze Stars and nine Air Medal
s. In 2009, he was promoted to colonel in the Texas State Guard
. He is a lieutenant colonel in the Civil Air Patrol and a member of the executive committee of the Texas Veterans Coalition. He is a retired public affairs executive for Sun Exploration and Production Company. While formerly residing in Arlington
in Tarrant County
, he was a member of the city council and mayor pro-tempore from 1979-1985. Former Governor
Bill Clements
named Berman to chair the Texas Commission on Intergovernmental Relations and to serve on the Texas National Guard
Armory Board.
In 1969, Berman received a Bachelor of Arts
degree in political science
from Southern Methodist University
in Dallas
. His affiliations include the Texas Association of Business, Chamber of Commerce
, the Association of Retarded Citizens of Tyler/Smith County, Boy Scouts of America
, Bethesda Health Clinic in Tyler, and East Texas Meals on Wheels. He is a lay member of Christ Episcopal Church in Tyler. He is also a member of the Tyler Civil Air Patrol
. He and his wife, Dr. Lou Ann Berman (born ca. 1955), have five children, seven grandchildren, and three great-grandsons.
, 6,877 votes (54.4 percent) to 5,760 (45.6 percent). He was then unopposed in the general election held on November 3, 1998.
In June 2010, Berman filed papers as a candidate for House Speaker in the contest scheduled for January 2011. Joe Straus, first elected to the House in 2005, was named Speaker in January 2009 by a coalition of Democrats
and a dozen dissident, mostly moderate, Republicans.
Berman objects to Straus' leadership as the presiding officer. The House was divided in 2010 with 77 Republicans and 73 Democrats but had only 76 Republicans when Straus ousted former Speaker Tom Craddick
of Midland
. The number of Republicans in the Texas House increases in 2011 to 99 of the 150 members. Berman has seen his immigration
restrictions and anti-abortion
proposals die without a vote on the House floor. Democrats also prevented a vote on the voter identification bill. Berman reportedly wanted Straus to use "strong-arm tactics" to force the measure to the floor.
Berman is known for his "inflammatory language," which he has also directed at Governor
Rick Perry
, who he has accused of doing too little to stop the problem of illegal immigration
.
Another Berman target is retiring Representative David Swinford
, a Republican from Dumas
in Moore County in the Texas Panhandle
, the outgoing chairman of the House State Affairs Committee. In 2007, Berman complained that Swinford had refused to consider any of a series of immigration restriction bills that he had offered. At the time, Berman placed the price tag to taxpayers for illegal immigration at $3.5 billion per year. He maintains that illegal immigrants create havoc in hospital emergency rooms, where those without insurance or cash frequently obtain treatment.
In 2009, Berman said that he was considering a bid to challenge Perry in the 2010 gubernatorial primary. Thereafter, Berman dropped plans to oppose Perry with the understanding that the Governor would support two of Berman's immigration bills and two other measures as well to protect states rights. "All the votes that I would get running for governor would come from Rick Perry's side. . . . He's far to the right of Kay Bailey Hutchison
[U.S. senator and Perry's principal primary opponent in 2010] and so am I," Berman said.
Committee. He serves on the House Committee on Higher Education and the Committee on County Affairs. From 2007-2009, he was chairman of the House Committee on Elections, under appointment of former Speaker Craddick.
Berman is a favorite of the Christian Coalition
, Young Conservatives of Texas, and Texans for Fiscal Responsibility, Texan Citizens for a Sound Economy, and the National Rifle Association
, having voted repeatedly in accordance with the positions of those interest groups. Berman is also close to members of the Tea Party movement
.
In late 2010, Berman appeared on CNN
to defend the legislation that he is promoting to require candidates to prove their constitutional eligibility to run for president in Texas. In this interview, conducted by Anderson Cooper
, Berman was unable to present any evidence that would indicate that current eligibility requirements are of insufficient strength.
He has been ridiculed by New York Times columnist Gail Collins
when he declared the President
Barack Hussein Obama's long-form birth certificate did not prove that the president was born in the United States, since
"there is no plaque in the hospital where he was supposedly born"
-sponsored "Taking America Back" rally in which he decried U.S. President Barack Obama
: "I believe that Barack Obama is God
's punishment on us today, but in 2012, we are going to make Obama a one-term president." At the same rally, Perry made an appearance, and U.S. Representative Louie Gohmert
of Tyler claimed that "demons had invaded Washington
" after the passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
in March 2010.
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
member of the Texas House of Representatives
Texas House of Representatives
The Texas House of Representatives is the lower house of the Texas Legislature. The House is composed of 150 members elected from single-member districts across the state. The average district has about 150,000 people. Representatives are elected to two-year terms with no term limits...
from District 6 (Smith County
Smith County, Texas
As of the census of 2000, there were 174,706 people, 65,692 households, and 46,904 families residing in the county. The population density was 188 people per square mile . There were 71,701 housing units at an average density of 77 per square mile...
) since January 1999. Berman announced a challenge to Speaker
Speaker (politics)
The term speaker is a title often given to the presiding officer of a deliberative assembly, especially a legislative body. The speaker's official role is to moderate debate, make rulings on procedure, announce the results of votes, and the like. The speaker decides who may speak and has the...
Joe Straus
Joe Straus
Joseph R. Straus, III, known as Joe Straus , is the current Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives. He represents District 121, which comprises northeastern Bexar County, including part of San Antonio, Texas, and several surrounding communities...
of San Antonio
San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio is the seventh-largest city in the United States of America and the second-largest city within the state of Texas, with a population of 1.33 million. Located in the American Southwest and the south–central part of Texas, the city serves as the seat of Bexar County. In 2011,...
for the presiding officer's position in January 2011. Berman subsequently withdrew from the race, and Representative Warren Chisum
Warren Chisum
Warren Darrel Chisum is a conservative Republican member of the Texas House of Representatives from the Panhandle city of Pampa, a community of some 20,000 people and the seat of Gray County. He has served in the state House since 1989...
of Pampa
Pampa, Texas
Pampa is a city in Gray County, Texas, United States. The population was 17,887 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Gray County.Pampa is the principal city of the Pampa Micropolitan Statistical Area, which includes all of Gray and Roberts counties....
filed his candidacy for Speaker. Straus, however, was elected to a second term as Speaker in January 2011.
Berman has introduced legislation to require future presidential candidates to prove constitutional eligibility for office before they can be listed on the Texas ballot.
Background
A native of New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, Berman is a former lieutenant colonel in the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
, with twenty-two years of service, Berman was awarded three Bronze Stars and nine Air Medal
Air Medal
The Air Medal is a military decoration of the United States. The award was created in 1942, and is awarded for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight.-Criteria:...
s. In 2009, he was promoted to colonel in the Texas State Guard
Texas State Guard
The Texas State Guard is one of three branches of the military forces of Texas, reporting to the Adjutant General, and under the command of the Governor. The other branches of the State Military Forces of Texas are the Texas Army National Guard, and the Texas Air National Guard.-History:The Texas...
. He is a lieutenant colonel in the Civil Air Patrol and a member of the executive committee of the Texas Veterans Coalition. He is a retired public affairs executive for Sun Exploration and Production Company. While formerly residing in Arlington
Arlington, Texas
Arlington is a city in Tarrant County, Texas within the Dallas–Fort Worth metropolitan area. According to the 2010 census results, the city had a population of 365,438, making it the third largest municipality in the Metroplex...
in Tarrant County
Tarrant County, Texas
Tarrant County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2010 U.S. Census, it had a population of 1,809,034. Its county seat is Fort Worth. Tarrant County is the sixteenth most populous county in the United States and the third most populous in Texas. The county is named in honor...
, he was a member of the city council and mayor pro-tempore from 1979-1985. Former Governor
Governor of Texas
The governor of Texas is the head of the executive branch of Texas's government and the commander-in-chief of the state's military forces. The governor has the power to either approve or veto bills passed by the Texas Legislature, and to convene the legislature...
Bill Clements
Bill Clements
William Perry "Bill" Clements, Jr. was the 42nd and 44th Governor of Texas, serving from 1979 to 1983 and 1987 to 1991. Clements was the first Republican to have served as governor of the U.S. state of Texas since Reconstruction...
named Berman to chair the Texas Commission on Intergovernmental Relations and to serve on the Texas National Guard
Texas National Guard
The Texas National Guard consists of the Texas Army National Guard and the Texas Air National Guard. The Guard is administered by the adjutant general, an appointee of the governor of Texas. The Constitution of the United States specifically charges the National Guard with dual federal and state...
Armory Board.
In 1969, Berman received a Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
degree in political science
Political science
Political Science is a social science discipline concerned with the study of the state, government and politics. Aristotle defined it as the study of the state. It deals extensively with the theory and practice of politics, and the analysis of political systems and political behavior...
from Southern Methodist University
Southern Methodist University
Southern Methodist University is a private university in Dallas, Texas, United States. Founded in 1911 by the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, SMU operates campuses in Dallas, Plano, and Taos, New Mexico. SMU is owned by the South Central Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church...
in Dallas
Dallas, Texas
Dallas is the third-largest city in Texas and the ninth-largest in the United States. The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is the largest metropolitan area in the South and fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States...
. His affiliations include the Texas Association of Business, Chamber of Commerce
Chamber of commerce
A chamber of commerce is a form of business network, e.g., a local organization of businesses whose goal is to further the interests of businesses. Business owners in towns and cities form these local societies to advocate on behalf of the business community...
, the Association of Retarded Citizens of Tyler/Smith County, Boy Scouts of America
Boy Scouts of America
The Boy Scouts of America is one of the largest youth organizations in the United States, with over 4.5 million youth members in its age-related divisions...
, Bethesda Health Clinic in Tyler, and East Texas Meals on Wheels. He is a lay member of Christ Episcopal Church in Tyler. He is also a member of the Tyler Civil Air Patrol
Civil Air Patrol
Civil Air Patrol is a Congressionally chartered, federally supported, non-profit corporation that serves as the official civilian auxiliary of the United States Air Force . CAP is a volunteer organization with an aviation-minded membership that includes people from all backgrounds, lifestyles, and...
. He and his wife, Dr. Lou Ann Berman (born ca. 1955), have five children, seven grandchildren, and three great-grandsons.
Candidate for Speaker
On March 11, 1998, Berman unseated incumbent Republican Representative Ted Andrew Kamel (born 1960), also of Tyler, in the primary electionPrimary election
A primary election is an election in which party members or voters select candidates for a subsequent election. Primary elections are one means by which a political party nominates candidates for the next general election....
, 6,877 votes (54.4 percent) to 5,760 (45.6 percent). He was then unopposed in the general election held on November 3, 1998.
In June 2010, Berman filed papers as a candidate for House Speaker in the contest scheduled for January 2011. Joe Straus, first elected to the House in 2005, was named Speaker in January 2009 by a coalition of Democrats
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
and a dozen dissident, mostly moderate, Republicans.
Berman objects to Straus' leadership as the presiding officer. The House was divided in 2010 with 77 Republicans and 73 Democrats but had only 76 Republicans when Straus ousted former Speaker Tom Craddick
Tom Craddick
Thomas Russell Craddick, known as Tom Craddick , was the first Republican to have served as Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives since Reconstruction. Craddick wielded the Speaker's gavel from 2003-2009...
of Midland
Midland, Texas
Midland is a city in and the county seat of Midland County, Texas, United States, on the Southern Plains of the state's western area. A small portion of the city extends into Martin County. As of 2010, the population of Midland was 111,147. It is the principal city of the Midland, Texas...
. The number of Republicans in the Texas House increases in 2011 to 99 of the 150 members. Berman has seen his immigration
Immigration
Immigration is the act of foreigners passing or coming into a country for the purpose of permanent residence...
restrictions and anti-abortion
Abortion
Abortion is defined as the termination of pregnancy by the removal or expulsion from the uterus of a fetus or embryo prior to viability. An abortion can occur spontaneously, in which case it is usually called a miscarriage, or it can be purposely induced...
proposals die without a vote on the House floor. Democrats also prevented a vote on the voter identification bill. Berman reportedly wanted Straus to use "strong-arm tactics" to force the measure to the floor.
Berman is known for his "inflammatory language," which he has also directed at Governor
Governor of Texas
The governor of Texas is the head of the executive branch of Texas's government and the commander-in-chief of the state's military forces. The governor has the power to either approve or veto bills passed by the Texas Legislature, and to convene the legislature...
Rick Perry
Rick Perry
James Richard "Rick" Perry is the 47th and current Governor of Texas. A Republican, Perry was elected Lieutenant Governor of Texas in 1998 and assumed the governorship in December 2000 when then-governor George W. Bush resigned to become President of the United States. Perry was elected to full...
, who he has accused of doing too little to stop the problem of illegal immigration
Illegal immigration
Illegal immigration is the migration into a nation in violation of the immigration laws of that jurisdiction. Illegal immigration raises many political, economical and social issues and has become a source of major controversy in developed countries and the more successful developing countries.In...
.
Another Berman target is retiring Representative David Swinford
David Swinford
David Anthony Swinford is an agricultural consultant from the Texas Panhandle and a former member of the Texas House of Representatives...
, a Republican from Dumas
Dumas, Texas
Dumas is a city in Moore County, Texas, United States. The population was 13,747 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Moore County. Located approximately fifty miles north of Amarillo, the city is named for...
in Moore County in the Texas Panhandle
Texas Panhandle
The Texas Panhandle is a region of the U.S. state of Texas consisting of the northernmost 26 counties in the state. The panhandle is a rectangular area bordered by New Mexico to the west and Oklahoma to the north and east...
, the outgoing chairman of the House State Affairs Committee. In 2007, Berman complained that Swinford had refused to consider any of a series of immigration restriction bills that he had offered. At the time, Berman placed the price tag to taxpayers for illegal immigration at $3.5 billion per year. He maintains that illegal immigrants create havoc in hospital emergency rooms, where those without insurance or cash frequently obtain treatment.
In 2009, Berman said that he was considering a bid to challenge Perry in the 2010 gubernatorial primary. Thereafter, Berman dropped plans to oppose Perry with the understanding that the Governor would support two of Berman's immigration bills and two other measures as well to protect states rights. "All the votes that I would get running for governor would come from Rick Perry's side. . . . He's far to the right of Kay Bailey Hutchison
Kay Bailey Hutchison
Kathryn Ann Bailey Hutchison, known as Kay Bailey Hutchison , is the senior United States Senator from Texas.She is a member of the Republican Party. In 2001, she was named one of the thirty most powerful women in America by Ladies Home Journal. The first woman to represent Texas in the U.S....
[U.S. senator and Perry's principal primary opponent in 2010] and so am I," Berman said.
House affiliations
Berman is a member of the Texas Conservative Coalition and strongly supported by the Right to LifeRight to life
Right to life is a phrase that describes the belief that a human being has an essential right to live, particularly that a human being has the right not to be killed by another human being...
Committee. He serves on the House Committee on Higher Education and the Committee on County Affairs. From 2007-2009, he was chairman of the House Committee on Elections, under appointment of former Speaker Craddick.
Berman is a favorite of the Christian Coalition
Christian Coalition
The Christian Coalition of America , originally called the Christian Coalition, Inc., is a US Christian advocacy group, which includes Christian fundamentalists, evangelicals, neo-evangelicals and charismatics. , the CCA stated that its membership was 2.5 million supporters.The Christian Coalition...
, Young Conservatives of Texas, and Texans for Fiscal Responsibility, Texan Citizens for a Sound Economy, and the National Rifle Association
National Rifle Association
The National Rifle Association of America is an American non-profit 501 civil rights organization which advocates for the protection of the Second Amendment of the United States Bill of Rights and the promotion of firearm ownership rights as well as marksmanship, firearm safety, and the protection...
, having voted repeatedly in accordance with the positions of those interest groups. Berman is also close to members of the Tea Party movement
Tea Party movement
The Tea Party movement is an American populist political movement that is generally recognized as conservative and libertarian, and has sponsored protests and supported political candidates since 2009...
.
In late 2010, Berman appeared on CNN
CNN
Cable News Network is a U.S. cable news channel founded in 1980 by Ted Turner. Upon its launch, CNN was the first channel to provide 24-hour television news coverage, and the first all-news television channel in the United States...
to defend the legislation that he is promoting to require candidates to prove their constitutional eligibility to run for president in Texas. In this interview, conducted by Anderson Cooper
Anderson Cooper
Anderson Hays Cooper is an American journalist, author, and television personality. He is the primary anchor of the CNN news show Anderson Cooper 360°. The program is normally broadcast live from a New York City studio; however, Cooper often broadcasts live on location for breaking news stories...
, Berman was unable to present any evidence that would indicate that current eligibility requirements are of insufficient strength.
He has been ridiculed by New York Times columnist Gail Collins
Gail Collins
Gail Gleason Collins is an American journalist, op-ed columnist and author, most recognized for her work with the New York Times. Joining the Times in 1995 as a member of the editorial board, from 2001 to 2007 she served as the paper's Editorial Page Editor – the first woman to attain that position...
when he declared the President
Barack Hussein Obama's long-form birth certificate did not prove that the president was born in the United States, since
"there is no plaque in the hospital where he was supposedly born"
Glenn Beck rally
In April 2010, Berman attended a Glenn BeckGlenn Beck
Glenn Edward Lee Beck is an American conservative radio host, vlogger, author, entrepreneur, political commentator and former television host. He hosts the Glenn Beck Program, a nationally syndicated talk-radio show that airs throughout the United States on Premiere Radio Networks...
-sponsored "Taking America Back" rally in which he decried U.S. President Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
: "I believe that Barack Obama is God
God
God is the English name given to a singular being in theistic and deistic religions who is either the sole deity in monotheism, or a single deity in polytheism....
's punishment on us today, but in 2012, we are going to make Obama a one-term president." At the same rally, Perry made an appearance, and U.S. Representative Louie Gohmert
Louie Gohmert
Louis Buller Gohmert, Jr. is an American politician and current Republican U.S. Representative from Texas's 1st congressional district.-Life and career:...
of Tyler claimed that "demons had invaded Washington
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
" after the passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is a United States federal statute signed into law by President Barack Obama on March 23, 2010. The law is the principal health care reform legislation of the 111th United States Congress...
in March 2010.
External links
- Representative Leo Berman official Texas House of Representatives site