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Friday, February 28, 1997

Record-setting senator casts 15,000 straight votes

By MICHAEL HOLMES Associated Press Writer

AUSTIN (AP) - Americans take pride in the principle of one man, one vote. Residents of Texas' 21st Senate District get a lot more:

One woman, 15,000 votes.

Joining colleagues in approving yet another bill on Thursday, Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, cast a record 15,000th consecutive vote in the Texas Senate.

She hasn't missed a single day or a single vote on a single question large or small since first taking office in 1987.

That's five regular, 140-day sessions of the Legislature.

That's 11 special sessions held between those every-other-year meetings.

That's an accomplishment none of her 30 Senate colleagues can match.

"I don't think anyone has ever been that diligent," said Betty King, who's marking a half century at the Capitol and her 20th year calling the roll as secretary of the Senate.

Mrs. Zaffirini's 100 percent record for both attendance and voting is unmatched, probably in the state's history, said Ms. King, whose office keeps track of such things.

Across the Capitol rotunda, in the Texas House, the record drew a one-word reaction. "Wow," said Janet Warren, spokeswoman for Speaker Pete Laney.

Mrs. Zaffirini, 51, credits her teachers.

"It's based on habits I developed in school - to be present and to be on time. It's a good habit that I try to instill in my child," she said.

But her streak began almost by accident.

After every session, the Senate secretary writes to each senator to report their attendance and voting records.

"The first session I was here, in 1987, I had no idea that those records were kept," Mrs. Zaffirini said. "When she sent me the letter, she said, 'You had 100 percent attendance, 100 percent voting. That's the first time that's ever been done.' I've just kept it ever since."

Her perseverance draws admiration from fellow lawmakers.

"One of them said, 'I thought I had cast every vote last time but I missed some'," she recalled. "I said, 'You probably went to the restroom.' "

One advantage is the alphabet. Coming last in the roll call can give her a few extra seconds to reach the Senate floor and vote. "A roll call starts at A, and I'm a Z. I have time to get there."

It hasn't been easy, however.

"I have been here ill, I have been here with fever," she said.

When her father fell seriously ill, Mrs. Zaffirini daily drove to and from Laredo - 232 miles each way. "I would be here and vote, and then drive back. One time, I was here 20 minutes for a session, then went home."

Her tenacity has even cost her support.

A San Antonio group once offered to raise $25,000 to help her fund a campaign office, but they differed with Mrs. Zaffirini on abortion.

"I am pro-life. They were pro-choice. They said, 'We really want to support you, we agree with you on everything else.' " So they asked her to "walk" - or skip votes - when abortion issues came up.

"I said I can't walk. My job will be to cast my votes."

And she has - 15,000 straight times. Send a Letter to the Editor about This Story | Start or Join A Discussion about This Story
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