Bill White will comment on the primary and take questions.

Wednesday, March 3
11:00 a.m.
Intercontinental Hotel
Champions Seven, Second Floor
2222 West Loop South
Houston, Texas 77027

Contact:
Katy Bacon
press@billwhitefortexas.com
713.501.3991 - mobile

Intercontinental Hotel
Champions Seven, Second Floor
Legends Ballroom
2222 West Loop South
Houston, Texas 77027

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 2, 2010

With Texans united, Bill White looks to November
Candidate pledges to serve Texans of all political viewpoints

HOUSTON -- Tonight, in front of hundreds of supporters gathered in Houston, White addressed Texans of both parties and emphasized Texas' future.

White was introduced by his children, with his daughter Elena expressing gratitude, "Our family has been blessed by you, and the thousands who have joined you in volunteering, making phone calls, emailing, giving your time and giving financially."

White began by saying, "Today Texans sent a message to the entrenched interests in Austin: Texans are ready for a new governor."

He invited Texans from all political viewpoints to join his team, saying he would be a governor who would serve all Texans - urban, rural, Democratic, Republican and Independent - with integrity and a non-partisan spirit.

"We invite those who supported other candidates to join our team, which consists of citizens from all backgrounds and both parties. We are committed to honest, competent, decentralized and accountable government. We believe that more unites than divides Texans," White said.

White predicted political posturing and a divisive approach from his opponent, giving several examples.

"We understand that those in power will do anything to avoid having to compete in the private sector... Rick Perry and his consultants and insiders will try to hide the growth in state spending in Austin by attacking the growth in government in Washington." White said.

"Rick Perry and his consultants will complain of strings attached to federal funds, though year after year those in Austin have imposed requirements and unfunded mandates on Texas' local school districts, cities and counties," he continued.

"Texans understand your game of divide and conquer. Don't try to claim some monopoly on Texas values. It is time we move our state forward."

The son of San Antonio schoolteachers, White helped build a law firm and managed a successful business before being elected Houston's mayor in 2003. He was re-elected twice with 91% and 86% of the vote. During White's administration, the Houston area led the nation cities in job growth and added more jobs than 34 states combined. At the same time, he cut property tax rates five years in a row and helped seniors with tax relief. White started a special initiative to give returning veterans the welcome they deserve with coordinated social services, reductions in red tape, and employment opportunities. After Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Ike, Bill White mobilized effective disaster responses including first responders, businesses and churches. For his compassionate, hands-on leadership after Katrina, White received the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award in 2007. Previously, he served as Deputy Secretary of Energy of the United States.

For more information, please visit www.billwhitefortexas.com. To be added to the press list, please email press@billwhitefortexas.com.

Contact:
Katy Bacon
press@billwhitefortexas.com
713.501.3991 mobile

MEDIA ADVISORY: BILL WHITE FOR GOVERNOR - POLLING STATION VISIT AND ELECTION RESULTS WATCH PARTY

Bill White, former Houston mayor and candidate for governor, will visit a polling location at Travis Elementary in Houston and available for press interviews.

Tuesday March 2
7:30 a.m. - 8:00 a.m.
Travis Elementary
3311 Beauchamp
Houston, Texas 77009

Contact:
Ally Smith
press@billwhitefortexas.com
713.201.8800 - mobile

On the evening on March 2, the Bill White for Texas campaign will host an election results watch party. The press room opens at 1:00 p.m., and the media will have an opportunity to speak with elected leaders from across the state throughout the day. If you plan to attend, please email march2media@billwhitefortexas.com. For more information, visit http://www.billwhitefortexas.com/march2media/.

Intercontinental Hotel
Legends Ballroom, First Floor
2222 West Loop South
Houston, Texas 77027

1:00 p.m.
Press Room Opens

1:45 p.m. - 2:15 p.m.
State Representative Rafael Anchia Media Availability

4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
State Senator Rodney Ellis Media Availability
State Representative David Farabee Media Availability

7:00 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.
Election Results Reception

Contact:
Katy Bacon
press@billwhitefortexas.com
713.501.3991 - mobile

Annalee Gulley
press@billwhitefortexas.com
(210) 823-5818

Following the election results party on Tuesday, Bill White will be available to the press on Wednesday, March 3.

11:00 a.m.
Intercontinental Hotel
Champions Seven, Second Floor
Legends Ballroom
2222 West Loop South
Houston, Texas 77027

Contact:
Katy Bacon
press@billwhitefortexas.com
713.501.3991 - mobile

Bill White continues to get out the vote in Corpus Christi, Bastrop on Sunday
White to block walk, join local leaders before March 2 primary

HOUSTON, TEXAS -- Former Houston mayor and candidate for governor Bill White will work to get out the vote in Corpus Christi and Bastrop on Sunday, Feb. 28. In Corpus Christi, U.S. Congressman Solomon Ortiz, Jr. and State Representative Abel Herrero will join White at Grandma's Gordita and then block walk in the neighborhood. In Bastrop, White will serve as the keynote speaker at the Bastrop Democratic Party's Texas Independence event.

Sunday, Feb. 28
1:00 p.m.
Grandma's Gorditas
4450 Greenwood Drive
Corpus Christi, Texas

Sunday, Feb. 28
5:00 p.m.
Texas Independence Day Event
Basters on Main
919 Main Street
Bastrop, Texas

White has been traveling the state, listening to Texans share their concerns about the current state of job growth, education, infrastructure and veterans' services in Texas. This afternoon, he will return from South Texas. On Thursday, White met with the Hidalgo County Sheriff Lupe Trevino about immigration and border issues and worked to get out the vote. Read more about the trip here: http://bw4tx.com/267.

White has said, "We have hardworking people. We have friendly people. We have a diverse population. We have a young population. One out of every 12 young people in the whole country lives in Texas. We are at the very center of what America will be in the future."

At South Texas College in Weslaco on Thursday, White stopped to talk with several students about the rising cost of higher education. White said, "The price of education has gone up so fast under Gov. Perry. That's just not right. We should be encouraging people to go to school, not making it financially difficult."

The son of San Antonio schoolteachers, White helped build a law firm and managed a successful business before being elected Houston's mayor in 2003. He was re-elected twice with 91% and 86% of the vote. During White's administration, the Houston area led the nation cities in job growth and added more jobs than 34 states combined. At the same time, he cut property tax rates five years in a row and helped seniors with tax relief. White started a special initiative to give returning veterans the welcome they deserve with coordinated social services, reductions in red tape, and employment opportunities. After Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Ike, Bill White mobilized effective disaster responses including first responders, businesses and churches. For his compassionate, hands-on leadership after Katrina, White received the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award in 2007. Previously, he served as Deputy Secretary of Energy of the United States.

For more information, please visit www.billwhitefortexas.com. To be added to the press list, please email press@billwhitefortexas.com.

Contact:
Ally Smith
press@billwhitefortexas.com
713.613.5309

MEDIA ADVISORY: BILL WHITE TO SPEAK AT DELTA SIGMA THETA CENSUS 2010 AWARENESS AND POLITICAL FORUM

WHO:
Bill White, former mayor of Houston and candidate for governor of Texas

WHAT:
Bill White will lead speak to the North Dallas Alumnae Chapter of the Delta Sigma Theta sorority's "Don't Be Counted Out" Census 2010 Awareness and Political Forum

WHEN:
Saturday, February 27, 2010
9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

WHERE:
Christian Chapel Temple of Faith
14120 Noel Road, Dallas, Texas 75254

CONTACT:
Annalee Gulley
press@billwhitefortexas.com
(210) 823-5818

MEDIA ADVISORY: CIVIC LEADERS BLOCK-WALK ACROSS SAN ANTONIO IN SUPPORT OF BILL WHITE

WHO:
State Senator Carlos Uresti, State Representative Joaquin Castro, State Representative Jose Menendez, County Commissioner Tommy Adkisson

WHAT:
Respected elected officials will go door-to-door in San Antonio to Get Out The Vote for Bill White, candidate for governor

WHEN:
Saturday, February 27, 2010
1:00 p.m.

WHERE:
Bill White for Texas -- San Antonio office
7122 San Pedro Avenue (behind Ocean Dental)
San Antonio, TX 78216

CONTACT:
Annalee Gulley
press@billwhitefortexas.com
(210) 823-5818

HOUSTON, TEXAS -- With less than a week until the March 2 primary, White's momentum continues to strengthen across the state. The former Houston mayor will spend the next seven days campaigning to get out the vote.

On Monday, the Bill White for Texas campaign reported raising more than $2.2 million over the 30 day fundraising period, ending it with more than $5.4 million. This is the second consecutive reporting period that White has out raised all other gubernatorial candidates, and his cash on hand total is more than double that of the Governor.

At an event in Marshall last week, White said, "If you think our best days are behind us and you want to go back, then you can vote for Gov. Perry. But if you believe that our best days are ahead of us, that we should not be eating the seed corn, that we should be training young Texans and Texans of all ages for good jobs -- jobs with a future -- then I am asking for your support as we need to move this state forward."

Bill will be in Houston and Austin tomorrow, separate releases to follow. Below are Bill White's public events in the coming days:

Thursday, Feb. 25
In the lower Rio Grande Valley, White will reach out to Texans of all ages from senior citizens in Raymondville and San Juan to college students at South Texas College in McAllen. White will also meet with folks at a job fair at the McAllen Convention Center and will attend a meet and greet in San Benito and a club meeting at the Cameron County Democratic Party. These events are open to the press:

12:00 p.m.
Meet & Greet
South Texas Community College-Weslaco Campus
400 North Border Avenue
Weslaco, Texas

5:00 p.m.
Meet & Greet
Blaquitas Restaurant
190 N. Oscar Williams Rd.
San Benito, Texas

6:30 p.m.
Club Meeting
Cameron County Democratic Party
974 East Harrison Street
Brownsville, Texas

Friday, Feb. 26

8:30 a.m.
Meet & Greet
Texas Cafe
517 East 2nd Street
Rio Grande City, Texas

10:30 a.m.
Meet & Greet
El Paraiso Restaurant
1904 North U.S. Highway 83
Zapata, Texas

12:30 p.m.
Meet & Greet
Star of Texas Restaurant
312 Rice Street
Falfurrias, Texas

The son of San Antonio schoolteachers, White helped build a law firm and managed a successful business before being elected Houston's mayor in 2003. He was re-elected twice with 91% and 86% of the vote. During White's administration, the Houston area led the nation cities in job growth and added more jobs than 34 states combined. At the same time, he cut property tax rates five years in a row and helped seniors with tax relief. White started a special initiative to give returning veterans the welcome they deserve with coordinated social services, reductions in red tape, and employment opportunities. After Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Ike, Bill White mobilized effective disaster responses including first responders, businesses and churches. For his compassionate, hands-on leadership after Katrina, White received the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award in 2007. Previously, he served as Deputy Secretary of Energy of the United States.

For more information, please visit www.billwhitefortexas.com. To be added to the press list, please email press@billwhitefortexas.com.

Contact:
Ally Smith
press@billwhitefortexas.com
713.613.5309

WHO:
Bill White, candidate for governor and former Houston Mayor, family and supporters

WHAT:
Election Results Reception

WHEN:
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
7:00PM - 10:30PM

WHERE:
Intercontinental Hotel
Legends Ballroom, First Floor
2222 West Loop South
Houston, Texas 77027

HOW:
If you plan to attend to cover the event, please respond to: march2media@billwhitefortexas.com. This will put you on a list to receive more information about parking, press room amenities and more.

Bill White to visit Starr, Zapata, Brooks Counties on Friday, Feb. 26
White continues to meet with local leaders in Rio Grande Valley

HOUSTON, TEXAS -- Former Houston Mayor Bill White is reaching out to Starr, Zapata and Brooks Counties on Friday, Feb. 26. With less than a week until the March 2 primary, White has been traveling the state, listening to Texans share their concerns about the current state of job growth, education, infrastructure and veterans' services in Texas.

White last visited Starr and Zapata Counties in January. He met with Starr County leaders, including Judge Eloy Vera, Sheriff Rene Fuentes and Starr Mayor Ruben Villarreal. In Zapata County, White also has the support of Judge Rosalva Guerra, Commissioner Norberto Villarreal and former Commissioner Joe Rathmell, and in Brooks County, he has the support of Judge Raul Ramirez and Commissioners Luis Arevalo and Carlos Villarreal. White, a former mayor, has said that when it comes to issues such as immigration, border security and local development, state government should first understand and respect the needs of local government.

White has said, "We have hardworking people. We have friendly people. We have a diverse population. We have a young population. One out of every 12 young people in the whole country lives in Texas. We are at the very center of what America will be in the future."

White warned, though, that Texas will not be as good as it can be if we continue to lag behind other states on important test scores and in the percentage of young adults with a high school diploma.

White said, "People want good jobs with a future. Governor Perry says things are just fine with the economy but that's not true for a lot of Texans who have been laid off or are working at jobs for lower wages than they used to have. We need to educate our citizens to have a skilled workforce so that we can attract companies that will allow us to work with our brains -- not just our backs."

The son of San Antonio schoolteachers, White helped build a law firm and managed a successful business before being elected Houston's mayor in 2003. He was re-elected twice with 91% and 86% of the vote. During White's administration, the Houston area led the nation cities in job growth and added more jobs than 34 states combined. At the same time, he cut property tax rates five years in a row and helped seniors with tax relief. White started a special initiative to give returning veterans the welcome they deserve with coordinated social services, reductions in red tape, and employment opportunities. After Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Ike, Bill White mobilized effective disaster responses including first responders, businesses and churches. For his compassionate, hands-on leadership after Katrina, White received the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award in 2007. Previously, he served as Deputy Secretary of Energy of the United States.

For more information, please visit www.billwhitefortexas.com. To be added to the press list, please email press@billwhitefortexas.com.

Contact:
Ally Smith
press@billwhitefortexas.com
713.613.5309

Texans continue to rally behind Bill White
Strong month of fundraising for gubernatorial candidate

HOUSTON, TEXAS -- As of the end of the last filing period on Feb. 20, nearly 8,700 supporters had contributed to former Houston Mayor Bill White's campaign.

In the month preceding the Feb. 20 deadline, more than 1,500 contributors gave more than $2.2 million to the campaign to elect Bill White as Texas' next governor.

"Our pace has doubled since the last fundraising period," said Scott Atlas, Campaign Finance Chair. "More than 1000 first time contributors joined the team in the last month. The outpouring of support in advance of the primary has been phenomenal."

In the previous fundraising period, White outraised all other gubernatorial candidates.

White ended this period with more than $5.4 million in cash on hand.

The son of San Antonio schoolteachers, White helped build a law firm and managed a successful business before being elected Houston's mayor in 2003. He was re-elected twice with 91% and 86% of the vote. During White's administration, the Houston area led the nation cities in job growth and added more jobs than 34 states combined. At the same time, he cut property tax rates five years in a row and helped seniors with tax relief. White started a special initiative to give returning veterans the welcome they deserve with coordinated social services, reductions in red tape, and employment opportunities. After Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Ike, Bill White mobilized effective disaster responses including first responders, businesses and churches. For his compassionate, hands-on leadership after Katrina, White received the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award in 2007. Previously, he served as Deputy Secretary of Energy of the United States.

For more information, please visit www.billwhitefortexas.com. To be added to the press list, please email press@billwhitefortexas.com.

Contact:
Katy Bacon
press@billwhitefortexas.com
713.613.5326

Corpus Christi leaders welcome Bill White
Candidate for governor receives endorsements, meets with civic, community leaders

CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS - Former Houston Mayor Bill White will be in Corpus Christi tomorrow, Friday, February 19. With eleven days until the March 2 primary, Corpus Christi leaders will endorse White as the best choice for the state's next Governor. These legislators, with deep ties to communities across Corpus Christi, believe Texans deserve a Governor who will move Texas forward.

State Representative Abel Herrero has said, "Bill White has shown great commitment and success in working with various individuals to ensure a prosperous economy for the betterment of all Texans. From creating jobs to helping businesses grow, Bill's public service accomplishments and dedication prove he is the best person to lead Texas into the next decade as our Governor."

Tomorrow's endorsement event will be held at:

The local leaders are among 12 State Senators, 66 State Representatives, and numerous local elected officials endorsing White. Photos, videos, and quotes from Senators and Representatives united for White can be viewed at www.billwhitefortexas.com/united. They represent areas from Lufkin to El Paso, Wichita Falls to McAllen and include both rural and urban districts.

While in Corpus Christi, Mayor White will also join the Corpus Christi Police Officer's Association as an invited guest to their monthly luncheon where he will speak at their "Friday Forum."

Join him at the "Friday Forum" at:

Endorsing leaders in Corpus Christi will include:
*Denotes the endorsing leaders who cannot attend
Congressman Solomon P Ortiz*
State Representative Abel Herrero
State Representative Solomon Ortiz, Jr.*
County Commissioner Betty Jean Longoria*
County Commisioner Oscar Ortiz
Councilwoman Priscilla Leal
District Judge Manuel Banales*
District Judge Marisela Saldana
District Attorney Carlos Valdez*
District Clerk Patsy Perez
Tax Assessor-Collector Ronnie Canales
Justice of the Peace Bobby Balderas

The son of San Antonio school teachers, White helped build a law firm and managed a successful business before being elected Houston's mayor in 2003. He was re-elected twice with 86% and 91% of the vote. During White's administration, the Houston area led the nation in job growth, adding more jobs than thirty-four states combined. At the same time, he cut property tax rates five years in a row and helped seniors with tax relief. White started a special initiative to give returning veterans the welcome they deserve with coordinated social services, reductions in red tape, and employment opportunities. After Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Ike, Bill White mobilized effective disaster responses including first responders, businesses and churches. For his compassionate, hands-on leadership after Katrina, White received the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award in 2007. Previously, he served as Deputy Secretary of Energy of the United States.

For more information, please visit www.billwhitefortexas.com. To be added to the press list, please email press@billwhitefortexas.com.

Contact:

Ally Smith
press@billwhitefortexas.com
713.201.8800

Annalee Gulley
press@billwhitefortexas.com
210.823.5818

Bill White, candidate for governor, releases third TV ad
Pledges Texas taxpayers will get their money's worth if he's elected

HOUSTON, TEXAS -- Former Houston mayor and candidate for governor Bill White released his third TV ad today. "Money's Worth" will air statewide starting Wednesday and is available for viewing online at: http://www.billwhitefortexas.com/multimedia/ads.

In the ad, White asks voters directly if they think they are getting their "money's worth" out of state government. His answer is "We can do better."

Before serving as Houston's mayor, White was a successful businessman who learned to look for efficiencies within existing budgets and to squeeze the most out of every dollar. During his time as mayor, White cut property tax rates five years in a row while helping city services operate more efficiently and be more responsive to Houstonians. He did this with disciplined budgets and surpluses. White's track record record demonstrates a commitment to fiscal responsibility and careful stewardship of Texan tax dollars.

Bill White launched his run for governor in December 2009, and he had about $6.4 million in the bank as of the close of the last reporting period on January 21. White has earned the endorsement of 12 State Senators and 66 State Representatives, the Texas AFL-CIO, the Texas League of Conservation Voters, and the Texas State Teachers Association. Newspapers including Amarillo Globe-News, Austin American Statesman, Beaumont Enterprise, Bryan-College Station Eagle, Corpus Christi Caller-Times, Dallas Morning News, Houston Chronicle, Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, Marshall News-Messenger, Midland Reporter-Telegram, San Antonio Express-News had endorsed White as early voting began on Tuesday February 16th.

The son of San Antonio school teachers, White helped build a law firm and managed a successful business before being elected Houston's mayor in 2003. He was re-elected twice with 86% and 91% of the vote. During White's administration, the Houston area led the nation in job growth, adding more jobs than thirty-four states combined. At the same time, he cut property tax rates five years in a row and helped seniors with tax relief. White started a special initiative to give returning veterans the welcome they deserve with coordinated social services, reductions in red tape, and employment opportunities. After Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Ike, Bill White mobilized effective disaster responses including first responders, businesses and churches. For his compassionate, hands-on leadership after Katrina, White received the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award in 2007. Previously, he served as Deputy Secretary of Energy of the United States.

For more information, please visit www.billwhitefortexas.com. To be added to the press list, please email press@billwhitefortexas.com.

Contact:
Katy Bacon
katy@billwhitefortexas.com
713.613.5326

Ad Script:

That's what we need.

MEDIA ADVISORY: BILL WHITE, CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR, TO VISIT EAST TEXAS

Bill White, former mayor of Houston and candidate for governor, will be in Nacogdoches and Lufkin on Wednesday, Feb. 17 and in Texarkana, Tyler and Marshall on Thursday, Feb. 18.

White's visits will mark the kickoff of early voting for the March 2 primary, which starts today, Feb. 16. On the Republican ticket, Governor Rick Perry, Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison and Debra Medina continue to fight for the nomination.

On the campaign trail, White has emphasized his experience in the public and private sectors and his track record for bringing people together to get things done.

White said, "I've been tested in roles of public and private leadership. I know how to run successful businesses. As mayor, I've gained the confidence of people in Houston. We need somebody who can bring people together to get things done, to end the gridlock we have in Austin, to have people to talk with each other and not about each other. I believe Texans want that."

CONTACT:
Ally Smith
press@billwhitefortexas.com
(713) 201-8800 - mobile

Bill White to vote in Houston, campaign in Rio Grande Valley
Gubernatorial candidate joins local leaders to encourage the community to vote

HOUSTON, TEXAS - After casting his vote with his wife Andrea and daughter Elena in Houston, former Houston Mayor Bill White will kick off the start of early voting in the Rio Grande Valley. White, a candidate for governor, will attend panchangas, meet students at the University of Texas-Pan American and participate in a candidate forum at the University of Texas at Brownsville.

Early voting for the March 2 primary begins Tuesday, Feb. 16 and continues through Feb. 26.

White will be available for press interviews at the following locations:

8:30 a.m.
Voting with Andrea and Elena White
Metropolitan Multi-Service Center
1475 West Gray
Houston, Texas

11:45 a.m.
Meet and Greet
University of Texas-Pan American
Student Union Building
1201 West University Drive
Edinburg, Texas

7:00 p.m.
Young Democrats and Tejano Democrats Candidate Forum
University of Texas at Brownsville
Science, Engineering & Technology Building (SET-B)
80 Fort Brown
Brownsville, Texas

White has the support of Valley leaders including Congressman Ruben Hinojosa and State Senators Eddie Lucio Jr. and Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa, and State Representatives Kino Flores, Veronica Gonzales, Eddie Lucio III, Armando "Mando" Martinez, Rene O. Oliveira, Aaron Pena and Tara Rios Ybarra, and Cameron County Commissioners Sofia Benavides and John Wood, and Hidalgo County Commissioners Joe Flores, Sylvia Handy and Oscar Garza have also endorsed White. Former Congressman Kika de la Garza has also thrown his support behind White.

Congressman Hinojosa said of White, "Bill White's someone we have known since the early 1990s when he came down here in the company of his friend Bill Clinton. We remember the work he did in this region, which now has over a quarter million people. We assure you this area will turn out because of those who are supporting him."

Since announcing his candidacy for governor in December, White has returned to the lower Rio Grande Valley numerous times and met with local leaders in education, law enforcement and health care. Community members have made it clear that their communities need jobs with a future.

Earlier this month, White said in a meeting with elected officials in Port Isabel, "This is the kind of discussion that we will have when I'm governor. Real economic development is not giving one company a tax break. Real economic development is training our people with the specialized skills needed for these high paying jobs. If we could work to come up with programs through community colleges and technical schools, then we can improve workforce and attract more businesses."

The son of San Antonio school teachers, White helped build a law firm and managed a successful business before being elected Houston's mayor in 2003. He was re-elected twice with 86% and 91% of the vote. During White's administration, the Houston area led the nation in job growth, adding more jobs than thirty-four states combined. At the same time, he cut property tax rates five years in a row and helped seniors with tax relief. White started a special initiative to give returning veterans the welcome they deserve with coordinated social services, reductions in red tape, and employment opportunities. After Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Ike, Bill White mobilized effective disaster responses including first responders, businesses and churches. For his compassionate, hands-on leadership after Katrina, White received the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award in 2007. Previously, he served as Deputy Secretary of Energy of the United States.

For more information, please visit www.billwhitefortexas.com. To be added to the press list, please email press@billwhitefortexas.com.

Contact:
Ally Smith
press@billwhitefortexas.com
713.201.8800

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 10, 2010

AUSTIN, TEXAS - The Texas AFL-CIO Committee on Political Education (COPE) announced its endorsement for Bill White as Texas' next governor. The federation represents more than 220,000 workers throughout Texas.

At the COPE's weekend convention, Bill White roused the audience to standing ovation by declaring that "Texas deserves a governor that is more interested in preparing the men and women of this state for good jobs than he is in seceding from America."

Texas AFL-CIO President Becky Moeller said, "COPE delegates endorsed Bill White for governor in the belief he will remake state government so it focuses on Texas' top priorities, including jobs, education and health care, rather than priorities that only work for those with the right connections. As mayor of Houston, Bill White has proved he could move an entire city forward. As governor, we are confident Bill White will move Texas forward."

The Texas AFL-CIO provides support for working families by organizing new members, coordinating community service initiatives, and implementing educational programs. Their membership reflects the diversity of Texas, including workers from the Caucasian, Hispanic, African-American and Asian American communities. By advocating for working people - union and non-union alike - the Texas AFL-CIO has turned traditionally low-wage, industrial jobs into good, family-sustaining, middle class jobs in Texas.

Bill White has a strong labor record. As mayor of Houston, he developed two contracts with firefighters, who had been without one for years before his election, and recognized a municipal employees union, making Houston the first city in Texas to do so. He also instituted a plan requiring city contractors to either offer health benefits to their full-time employees, or pay into a pool to provide uninsured workers with health benefits.

The son of San Antonio school teachers, White helped build a law firm and managed a successful business before being elected Houston's mayor in 2003. He was re-elected twice with 86% and 91% of the vote. During White's administration, the Houston area led the nation in job growth, adding more jobs than thirty-four states combined. At the same time, he cut property tax rates five years in a row and helped seniors with tax relief. White started a special initiative to give returning veterans the welcome they deserve with coordinated social services, reductions in red tape, and employment opportunities. After Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Ike, Bill White mobilized effective disaster responses including first responders, businesses and churches. For his compassionate, hands-on leadership after Katrina, White received the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award in 2007. Previously, he served as Deputy Secretary of Energy of the United States.

For more information, please visit www.billwhitefortexas.com. To be added to the press list, please email press@billwhitefortexas.com.

Contact:
Katy Bacon
katy@billwhitefortexas.com
713.613.5326