Houston League of Women Voters (1968)

Duration: 1:16

Year Published: 1968

Sound: sound

Description: This news segment for Houston’s KPRC-TV captures a panel discussion organized by the local chapter of the League of Women Voters on December 13, 1968. Eight Houston-area state legislators participate, sharing their opinions on constitutional reform. State Representatives Cletus “Cowboy” Davis and Bill Swanson express the support for item-by-item consideration of provisions. Portions of the footage appear silent, and would have been voiced over by the anchorperson during a live broadcast. In 1967, the Texas House of Representatives approved the creation of a 25-member Constitutional Revision Commission to draft a new basic governing document for consideration by the 1969 legislature. While attempts at a complete overhaul of the state constitution ultimately failed, legislators did repeal 56 outdated or obsolete provisions. The Texas Legislature has made multiple attempts to replace or significantly revise the state constitution. Originally adopted in 1876 and boasting 491 amendments, the document is one of the longest state constitutions in the nation.