Father's Day

Statement

It's Father's Day today, my first without my own dad, which makes it particularly poignant for me. Since his passing last year, I've spent a great deal of time reflecting on how much he meant to me. Perhaps more than anyone else in my life, my dad shaped the person that I became.

My dad was the kind of person who believed that anything is possible. And he brought that kind of optimism to everything he did. With only a dream and an uncontainable passion, my dad brought to life a world class theater, Stage West, in Fort Worth thirty-five years ago. Today, as it continues on, it stands as an enduring legacy to his life's work.

Everything I have had the privilege of achieving in my life stands in testament to my dad's legacy as well. Even when I was a struggling young single mom, my dad believed in me, and because of him, I believed in myself. He taught me to press on, to work hard and that my dreams could become reality because I had the power in myself to make them so.

Most folks, standing on the outside looking in at me all those years ago, would have counted me out. But not my dad. At each little victory I managed, my dad was there, his big brown eyes and warm face beaming with pride -- from my first day in college, to my Harvard Law school graduation, to my elections to the Fort Worth City Council and then the Texas Senate, it was my dad who cheered me on the loudest and who most deeply shared the joy of those accomplishments with me.

My public service journey was a point of particular pride for my dad. And I carry him with me on each step of the way in this latest stage of that journey. His belief in people, his trust that we are all good and that we are capable of achieving our wildest dreams, forms the basis of my public service work. And through that work, the spirit of my dad lives on.

So today, along with each of you, I celebrate Father's Day. Each of us brings a unique perspective to this day. Perhaps you had a father who was present in your life. Perhaps instead you had a father figure -- an uncle, older brother or a particularly special teacher or clergyman. And while our experiences in that regard may vary, we are united today in recognizing that special someone in our lives who helped to mold us and inspire us to be the best version of ourselves that we can be.

So, to all the fathers out there, I salute you. We don't say it enough. I didn't say it to my own father enough while he was still alive. But we owe you so much, and for that we are forever grateful.

Happy Father's Day to you and yours. God bless you and your families.

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