“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” 2 Corinthians 5:17
2020 brought unprecedented challenges – none of which we could have predicted at this time last year. People have lost loved ones, many have faced financial hardships and some lost their businesses. Many are more than ready to say goodbye to 2020 as we continue to fight the pandemic and work to bring Texas to its economic strength before the disaster. Still, as we start the New Year, there are many things to be thankful for this past year including all those on the front lines – our health care workers and law enforcement, our teachers who came back to the classrooms, our farmers, ranchers, truck drivers and grocery store workers who kept food on our table.
I was also inspired by the way Texans came together in 2020, as they always do, with all kinds of acts of kindness and bravery. They have maintained our food banks, our blood banks and many other community resources.
Of course, we are all thankful to live in Texas and thankful we have a vaccine that we all hope will begin to pull us out of this pandemic. Despite all we went through in 2020, I am confident that the future of our state is bright. Texas will continue to lead the nation – our economic resilience, our faith and values and our commitment to liberty and freedom inspires the country and the world.
The 2021 Legislative Session begins in less than two weeks. I am proud to have presided over the most conservative legislative sessions in Texas history and I look forward to doing so again. We will be working to strengthen our economy, protect our law enforcement, strengthen election integrity and protect life, liberty, religious freedom and our second amendment while making sure Texas comes back stronger than ever. I want our state to continue to be the best place on the planet to live – not only for us but also for our grandchildren. One of the things that came clear to me and to many during the tough times in 2020 is how we must do all that we can to make sure our grandchildren can grow up in the Texas and America that we love. (Here’s a shot of me with two of my grandsons who went with me to vote in October)
I lean on God for strength every day and He gives me hope for the future. I am optimistic for what’s to come in 2021 and am very much looking forward to a productive legislative session.
I am blessed by the privilege of serving you and 29 million Texans as Lt. Governor. Thank you for your continued support. Please continue to pray for the families who have lost loved ones to coronavirus and for our heroic health care workers. And, as always, keep our brave law enforcement officers in your prayers.
May God bless you and your family, and may He continue to bless the greatest state of all—Texas.
Sincerely,
Dan Patrick
Lieutenant Governor of Texas
