PERSON OF THE YEAR

Jasmine is Just Who We Need

Cheryl Smith
Publisher
Texas Metro News

When selecting someone for this coveted title; believe me a lot of thought, research and planning goes into the process. 

Additionally we listen to what others are saying about the person; without divulging that they are under consideration.

Previously, our POTY have been people who moved the needle, sparked debate and action, pricked society’s consciousness and conscience, and lifted as they climbed.

Sounds like Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett (D-TX), you think?

Those valiant men and women act out of necessity not a need to garner media coverage or serve as clickbait. 

Does that mean that they aren’t in the headlines or top stories? Not at all.

You see, there are those who seek and those who are sought — which is the case with Pastor Yvette Blair, Coach Prime (Deion Sanders), Hall of Fame Journalist Roland Martin,  Tammy Kemp – Presiding Judge of the 204th Judicial District Court, the late-great Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson, Olympiad ShaCarri Richardson; and now Congresswoman Crockett.

This decision wasn’t a heavy lift.  We’re doing what’s best for you, our readers and your communities; as well as the entire country and ultimately the world, as we will witness in coming months.

For times like this, we need Jasmine Felicia Crockett.

When she was running for office, she said District 30 has always had a fighter, in Congresswoman Johnson, and she wanted to ”continue that fight for the people.”

And fighting is just what she has done. 
What is impressive about her is that she is always well-prepared, strategic, methodical and, fearless.  

Earlier this year, we were feeding veterans in Dallas at the Heroes House and Rep. Crockett shared insight into some of the battles she has to fight, which shined a light on the dysfunction that is rampant with the partisan political antics that are not in the best interest of the people.

Through her efforts and challenges of the status quo, Rep. Crockett has skillfully, boldly and creatively called out the shenanigans that keep the government from being more productive.

“I have to fight for my constituents,” she has said on more than one occasion.  I understood what she said, as well as the unspoken because I have talked to constituents time and time again who have said, we need representation that will speak up in our best interest.

Well, they asked and they received!

A business administration major from Rhodes College, she began her career in the Bowie County (TX) Public Defender’s Office after receiving her J.D. from the University of Houston. Licensed to practice law in Texas, Arkansas, and Federal Courts, she also is the past Bowie County Democratic Party Chair.

When elected to the Texas House of Representatives, she became the sole Black freshman and youngest Black lawmaker during that 87th Legislative Session that began in January 2021.

Now if you thought she was going to be silent— the listen-and-learn type—you had another “think” coming because she jumped in like a woman on a mission.  

She filed more bills than any other freshman and was a founding member of the Texas Progressive Caucus and the Texas Caucus on Climate, Energy, and the Environment.

Rep. Crockett was fearless in her efforts as she joined with colleagues as a leading architect of the 2021 Texas House Quorum Break where Democrats protested Texas’ restrictive voting laws. 

Through it all, she also forged a relationship with then-U.S. Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (who was the first Black woman to serve as a Texas State Representative and Senator). 

While others were meeting to ascertain whether the elder stateswoman would seek another term, the senior and freshman legislators discussed policies, affecting change, and serving the people.                

As members of the Divine 9 (eight Black Greek Letter sororities and fraternities). Ms. Johnson of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc, and Ms. Crockett of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., had long resumes touting their community service, social action and philanthropic efforts, so it wasn’t a stretch understanding the needs of the constituents. 

Clearly, Crockett was about service and substance over holding a title and buying into the celebrity adulation culture that dies when you leave office.

If you saw these ladies out and about, they were, for the most part, working, making a difference in the lives of others.

When Congresswoman Johnson decided to retire, after 30 years in the nation’s Capital, she endorsed Rep. Crockett, who was victorious and assumed the office in January 2023; representing a district that included portions of Dallas and Tarrant Counties encompassing the  cities of Arlington, Cedar Hill, Dallas, DeSoto, Duncanville, Glenn Heights, Grand Prairie, Hutchins, Lancaster, Ovilla, Seagoville, and Wilmer.

In addition to being elected by her peers as Freshman Leadership Representative, Congresswoman Johnson is a member of the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability, the House Committee on Agriculture, and the House Judiciary Select Committee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government.

Ask her what she is interested in and not only will she tell you, but you can follow up on her website or YouTube channel to learn more about: extreme weather, economy/jobs/housing, voting rights, criminal justice, education, energy and climate change, equality, health, reproductive justice, immigration, veterans and gun violence. 

In November 2024 she was re-elected to serve her second term, receiving 85% of the vote.

A lot of factors were considered when selecting the POTY.  For example in two years and 1,241 roll call votes, Rep. Crockett missed only 47, or 3.8% votes, according to govtrack.us.  

What was significant was the votes she was present and accounted for; as well as key legislation that she worked across the aisle to either sponsor or co-sponsor with the likes of Republican Reps. Marcus Molinaro (R-NY), Monica De La Cruz (R-TX), Darin LaHood (R-IL), Max L. Miller (R-OH) and Trent Kelly (R-MS).

Her international travel has centered around business and education, traveling to Qatar and Israel.

This year has been whirlwind.

 In addition to challenging the status quo by coming into hearings like she was in a courtroom cross examining J. Edgar Hoover or Roy Bryant (and his wife Carolyn), and John William Milam  —Emmett Till’s murderers; Rep. Crockett educating not only her colleagues, but the world.

She was also tapped by the Harris-Walz Campaign to be a Harris Surrogate, traveling the country encouraging citizens to vote for Vice President Kamala Harris.

A highlight of this year for her has to be an emotional, enlightening speech during the Democratic National Convention; where she looked absolutely stunning to watch her delivery!

Still she has found time for town hall meetings, constituent gatherings and whether it was the Black Star Network, BET, one of the Networks, Meet the Press, late night talk shows, MSNBC or the DeDe McGuire Show; she has been accessible. Her ability to break down the issues and make a case for her position has endeared her to many.

Now does she have critics? of course.  You’re always going to be criticized when you speak up or challenge any system.  And each day we live, we all have some learning to do so if grace is ever needed, this would be a good time to use it.

Hopefully campaign 2024 has shown Americans that they need to get involved and become unified instead of constantly tearing one another down. 

It is refreshing to know that no one sets the standard for this young lady who hails from St. Louis, MO. Her bar has always been high and as a Preachers’ Kid, she is spiritually-grounded, which also helps her to weather the many storms she has faced and will face in the future. 

We are excited about that future because there will be some challenging days ahead and while there is a need to show support for Crockett; an effort has to be made to ensure that she is not alone.

We urge those in Congress with her to stand with her and you all continue to uplift one another because divided, you just become fodder for vultures.

For her standing on the right side of history when it comes to issues of the day, for her steadfast commitment to making this world a better place, and for her love of all people as a voice for the voiceless, disenfranchised, and seemingly powerless; this servant leader Jasmine Crockett is Texas Metro News’ PERSON OF THE YEAR!

From the Congresswoman:

• Kamala Harris has a resume. Donald Trump has a rap sheet – Safer prisons should be bipartisan, full stop.
• Today we reflect on the incredible life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
• His legacy, words, and wisdom live on to this day, as he guides our actions and work to build a more perfect union. Let’s be reminded today that, as MLK imparted, only light can drive out darkness.
• On International Holocaust Remembrance Day, the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, we hold space in our hearts for the six million Jews, one million Romani, and millions of Poles, Ukrainians, political dissidents, POWs, and more murdered by the Nazis.
• Today’s all about commemorating the arrival of the first Korean immigrants to the U.S. on this day in 1903. Let’s continue to recognize the countless ways Korean Americans have enriched our communities and culture.
• I’m joining the Congressional Equality Caucus in standing up to transphobic hate and committing to ensuring full equal- ity for trans people
• On average, child care currently costs more than public college tuition. These costs are emptying families’ pockets and pushing more and more women out of the workforce. That’s why I join the Democratic Women’s Caucus fight to advance President Joe Biden’s request for more child care funding.
• We can never rewrite history, but we can always work to- gether to ensure it doesn’t repeat itself.
• We lose 67 people to gun suicide every day. These tragedies can be prevented. When you practice safe firearm storage, you could save a life.
• Vindictive Vile Villain Violates Voter’s Vision
• I’m raising awareness of the impacts HIV has on the Latinx community & encouraging testing, prevention, and treatment.
• TX30 is at the heart of Black entrepreneurship, and we’re dedicated to breaking barriers to ownership.
• Happy Indigenous Peoples’ Day! Today we celebrate the many contributions that the indigenous community has made for our great nation.
• Bi+ people deserve to have their sexuality seen as valid, appreciated, and respected as a part of the LGBTQI+ community.
• I will fight to pass legislation that fully funds critical government programs and supports our allies against the likes of Vladimir Putin.
• I reaffirm my commitment to defend the natural wonders in Texas.
• Our public lands are key to recreation, education, and conservation—by protecting them, we are preserving our invaluable natural and cultural legacy.
• As we reflect on the sacrifices of our fallen heroes this Memorial Day, let us also strive to uphold the values of freedom and democracy they fought to protect.
• Juneteenth is Texas History, American History, and Black History—Galveston was the last to get the news that slavery had ended.
• Freedom started here, and we will never stop fighting for it.

And the classic –

• “Bleach blonde bad built butch body” – in honor of Georgia Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene

Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett serves:

On House Agriculture, Subcommittees Crockett serves on include:

• Nutrition, Foreign Agriculture, and Horti- culture
• General Farm Commodities, Risk Manage- ment, and Credit
• Commodity Markets, Digital Assets, and Rural Development

On House Oversight and Accountability, Subcommittees Crockett serves on:

• Healthcare and Financial Services
• Government Operations and the Federal Workforce

There is a wide variety of caucuses that address issues and represent diverse communities. The Congresswoman is a member of:

• Democratic Women’s Caucus – Member Services Task Force Co-Chair
• Congressional Black Caucus
• Congressional Progressive Caucus
• Pro-Choice Caucus
• Equality Caucus
• Equal Rights Amendment Caucus
• EMS Caucus
• Congressional Diabetic Caucus
• Sustainable Energy & Environment Coa- lition
• Hunger Caucus
• Mental Health and Substance Use Task Force
• Ukrainian Caucus
• Black Women & Girls Caucus
• Congressional Voting Rights Caucus
• Black Maternal Health Caucus
• Congressional Labor Caucus
• 5G and Beyond Caucus
• Artificial Intelligence Caucus
• Aerospace Caucus
• Sikh Caucus
• Addiction, Treatment and Recovery Cau- cus
• Second Chance Task Force
• America 250 Caucus
• Assisting Caregivers Caucus
• Bipartisan Affordable Childcare Caucus
• Democratic Faith Working Group
• Fix Congress Caucus
• Former Local Elected Officials Caucus
• Future Forum
• Gun Violence Prevention Task Force
• Mamas Caucus
• Renters Caucus
• Bagel Caucus
• Sneaker Caucus
• Valley Fever Task Force