Area supporters display their pride for embattled DeLay [View All]

[Judi Lynn]

June 1, 2005, 1:00AM

Area supporters display their pride for embattled DeLay
Lunch praises majority leader; critics show up to call for an inquiry
By THOM MARSHALL
Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle

Controversy over ethics questions may dog U.S. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay most everywhere else these days, but Tuesday in Houston he was treated to accolades at a lunch with about 400 friends and supporters.

"Tom, we're proud to be here for you today," said Harris County Judge Robert Eckels, one of several community leaders to sing the Sugar Land Republican's praises in the Westin Galleria Hotel.

Other speakers at the Greater Houston Partnership event — representing Houston's medical industry, the University of Houston, the Port of Houston, Metro and the Johnson Space Center — all thanked DeLay for his past support in getting government funding and said they look forward to working with him in the future.
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Other taped messages from Houston Mayor Bill White and Texas Gov. Rick Perry were played. Again, as at a recent DeLay appreciation dinner in Washington, D.C., there was no message from President Bush or Vice President Dick Cheney, although the White House is on record backing DeLay during the ethics controversy.
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http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/metropolitan/3206048
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