Dateline: February 7, 2002

Thornberry to speak at Chamber banquet  

US Rep. Mac Thornberry will be the keynote speaker when the Clarendon-Donley County Chamber of Commerce holds its annual Awards Banquet this Saturday night.

“Let Freedom Ring” is the theme for the event, which will be held at the Bairfield Activity Center on the campus of Clarendon College. The Silent Auction begins at 6 p.m., and dinner will be served at 7 p.m.

Also at Saturday’s banquet, entertainment will be provided by local singer Dan Hall, and community awards will be given for Man of the Year, Woman of the Year, Pioneer Man and Woman of the Year, and the Saints’ Roost Award.

Thornberry was born in Clarendon in 1958 and was raised on the family ranch in Donley County. He graduated from Clarendon High School, received a B.A. in history from Texas Tech University, then graduated from the University of Texas Law School in 1983. He spent several years working for San Antonio Congressman Tom Loeffler and Lubbock Congressman Larry Combest before going to work for President Ronald Reagan as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Legislative Affairs in 1988.

He returned to Texas in 1989 to join his brothers in the cattle business and to practice law in Amarillo. He was first elected to the US House of Representatives in 1994 and is now serving his fourth term representing Donley County and Texas’ District 13 in Washington.

Thornberry currently serves on the House Budget Committee, Armed Services Committee, and the Committee on Resources. He has taken a leading role on issues of national defense, property rights, and federal fiscal responsibility.

Chamber officials are urging local residents to buy their tickets early as seating is limited. Tickets are $10 per person and are available at Community Bank, the Donley County State Bank, Herring National Bank, the Chamber office, or any Chamber board member.