As part of the Chamber’s Congressional Series, which gives our members the opportunity to hear from our highest elected officials in Washington, the Chamber hosted Senator Ted Cruz this morning for a discussion about his priorities and an inside perspective on what’s happening at our nation’s capital.
“Our Senator is known as a passionate fighter,” 2016 Chamber Chairman Reneé Flores said as she introduced Cruz to the audience at The Westin River Walk. Both Flores and Chamber President & CEO Richard Perez expressed how much of an honor it was for them to share the stage with the Senator. “His calling to public service is inspired largely by first-hand observations of the pursuit of freedom and the opportunity in America,” Flores added.
As Cruz took the stage, he opened by making the crowd laugh.
“Thank you for your hospitality. I have to say that in the introduction someone used the words ‘great’ and ‘lawyer’,” Cruz said. “Those are not words you typically find in the same sentence,” he joked.
Over the course of 30 minutes, the Senator spoke about the election season, the military, San Antonio and his family. With his wife of 15 years, Heidi Cruz, in the audience, he confessed that he often sabotages her efforts to raise their daughters as vegetarians due to his love of bacon. “There is nothing that can corrupt young vegetarians more than bacon,” the Senator said. Showing his sense of humor yet again, Cruz spoke about his support of net neutrality while also joking that the internet “was made for cat pictures.”
“San Antonio is Military City USA. You understand the value of service,” he said, praising our city’s diverse and large military population. The Senator closed the event by thanking the Chamber, the San Antonio community and everyone in attendance for taking the time to visit with him.
“Thank you for the work you do every day, bringing Texas common sense back to this country,” Senator Cruz said. “Stop the politics and silliness of Washington and get back to the common sense principles of work, jobs, freedom and security. That’s what I work for every day and I am incredibly honored and fortunate to represent all of you.”
