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Book Review:
“The Man Who Hated Work and Loved Labor — The Life and Times of Tony Mazzocchi” This is a fascinating book about a labor leader who has had tremendous influence on our lives, but whose name is not even known by millions of Americans. Please read my review.

Statement By Texas State Senator Jerry Patterson

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 20, 1996

JERRY PATTERSON
State Senator

Capitol Building
Austin, Texas
District 11

Statement By Senator Jerry Patterson

Today, a Dallas County Grand Jury refused to indict Mr. Gordon Hale for homicide, determining Mr. Hale acted within the law in using justifiable deadly force when he was physically attacked and threatened with serious bodily injury.

I deeply regret the loss of life that resulted from this incident. I believe the grand jury made the right decision.

I am disgusted, however, by the initial reaction to this incident by opponents of the concealed handgun law. These gun control nuts gleefully reveled in the death of Mr. Kenny Tavai, blaming this incident on the concealed handgun bill without examining any facts of the case and completely ignoring the true lesson to be learned from the case--Texas law allows a citizen to lawfully defend himself to prevent death or serious bodily injury.

The fact is, had Mr. Hale defended himself with a shotgun or a baseball bat, both of which can be legally carried virtually anywhere in Texas, the death of his assailant would not have generated the predictable and ignorant response by gun control advocates. The lawful use of deadly force, by any means or with any weapon, was the issue in this case. They tried to make the instrument, not the act, the issue, and the grand jury has foiled their deceitful attempt to manipulate the media and public opinion.

The opponents of this bill, including my colleague State Senator Rodney Ellis, who vowed to repeal the law as a result of this unfortunate incident, owe Mr. Hale and the family of Mr. Tavai an apology. They have defamed Mr. Hale in their public comments and caused the family of Mr. Tavai additional pain and suffering in this difficult time.

The 'I told you so' crowd was wrong once again. Their ignorance of the laws of deadly force is apparent. These statues were written to allow a person to defend themselves against serious bodily injury, and the statues and our judicial system have worked. Justice has been served.

Like their inability to influence the legislative process to prevent the passage of the concealed weapons law and their total lack of understanding of the will of the people of Texas when it came to the passage of this legislation, the Handgun Bill opponents' bloodthirsty reaction to this incident and their `I told you so' attitude shames them.

Senator Ellis' vow to repeal the law and take away Texans' constitutional right to obtain a concealed handgun license, is nothing more than a self serving political promise. Senator Ellis knows that repeal is impossible, and any attempt to do so will never see the legislative light of day. I guarantee it.

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Last Updated — March 23, 2008