A Week of Surprises

Sunday morning I woke up to a text message saying the my friend, Vi, and I needed to be in Austin for the Senate Committee Meeting that was being held on Tuesday.  We needed to be there to testify again in support of HB 740, newborn screenings for congenital heart defects.  I spent the day getting things together, packing, and finalizing plans so that I could leave from school on Monday afternoon. 

Vi and I drove to Austin Monday evening, had a great dinner, and even better conversation.  We woke up early Tuesday and headed to the Capitol.  We had heard that the Senate does things a little differently than the House, so we wouldn't know when our Bill would be discussed.  We were supposed to just be ready to go at any moment, knowing that we may be there all day.  The meeting began promptly at 9:00, and, surprisingly, we were the first Bill up.  Vi and I took turns telling our stories and sharing our children with the Senate Committee.  They were very receptive and when all the witnesses were finished, the Chairwoman announced that they were ready to vote on the Bill.  This is NOT what we were expecting because usually the Committee discusses and debates it at a later date and then decides whether or not to pass it through to the next step.  Moments after we spoke, each Senator's name was called and they each said, "Aye."  The Bill passed. 

We were told the next step is for the entire Senate to hear the Bill.  But, because both the House and the Senate Committee voted it through without any opposition, this step is merely a formality and it will pass without any discussion.  After that, Governor Rick Perry has a couple weeks to veto the Bill (which he won't - for the same reason as I just stated).  Then, he will officially sign it into law later this summer.  Annnnnddddd... we were invited to come back with our husbands to be there for the Bill Signing.  Amazing.

It was such an exciting day.  But yesterday the week got even better... We found out that the Bill is going to be renamed... It will be known as the Rex Van de Putte, Taryn Kennedy, and Nash Sievers Act.  Wow.  Never did I expect this.  Nash will live on, saving the lives of babies every single day.  I'm so blessed to be his mommy.

Love to y'all,
Tracy