Texas GOP Resolutions Committee Opts Against Pro-Shafi Resolution

Texas GOP Resolutions Committee Chooses Against Pro-Shafi Resolution

This weekend the Texas SREC (State Republican Party Executive Committee) Resolutions Committee considered the following Resolution, authored by Sam "Tripp" Bryant (SD22) and Summer Wise (SD24), supporting CAIR endorsed Tarrant Vice Chair Shahid Shafi, and embattled Tarrant County Chair Darl Easton:

Resolution supporting Dr. Shahid Shafi as vice-chair of the Tarrant County Republican Party.

Whereas the Republican Party of Texas affirms and supports every American’s right to practice their religion (RPT Legislative Priority “Religious Freedom and Privacy”, RPT Platform Planks 84, 305, 306) and recognizes the contributions of Republicans of every faith who advance conservative policies and ideals,

Whereas Dr. Shahid Shafi, when not saving lives as a trauma surgeon, promotes conservatism as a member of the Southlake City Council, president of the Southlake Republican Club, and vice-chair of the Tarrant County Republican Party and demonstrates through deed and voice his dedication and servant leadership to Republicans in his community and beyond,

Therefore, be it resolved that the Republican Party of Texas strongly encourages the Tarrant County Republican Party Executive Committee to continue to support Dr. Shafi in his role as Vice Chair of their organization. Dr. Shafi brings vitality and the rich background of an immigrant who came to the US legally and sought out the American Dream. These are the values of the Party of Lincoln and Reagan, and we fully support his involvement and contributions to our shared cause.

Be it further resolved that this document be shared with the Tarrant County Executive Committee on or before the planned January CEC meeting. We encourage Chairman Darl Easton to read it to the body during the meeting.

Additionally, be it resolved that The Republican Party of Texas calls for the Tarrant County Republican Party Executive Committee and all Republican organizations to advocate and adhere to our platform planks protecting and preserving religious liberty for all Americans , a fundamental principle which has been a bedrock of our society and government since its inception.

Authored by:
Sam “Tripp” Bryant, SD22
Summer Wise, SD24

Signatories:
Terry Holcomb Sr., SD3
Mike McCloskey, SD5
Warren Norred, SD10
JT Edwards, SD11
Jan Duncan, SD14

Shafi has been endorsed by CAIR which our platform repudiates for its ties to Hamas. Shafi has refused for months to renounce and repudiate that endorsement. He has also refused for months to respond to calls that he state that he will support our pro-Israel platform an thus support Israel with Jerusalem as its undivided capital and oppose creation of a Palestinian state within the historic borders of Israel. This has to do with our platform. As for the first amendment and freedom of religion, neither have anything to do with this. No one is suggesting that Shafi be deprived of the right to believe anything he wants. The Republican party is a private organization, and as such is at liberty to decide for itself who is well suited to serve as an appointed leader.

Satanists and Identity Christians also have the right to believe whatever repugnant things they like, but that does not mean they are well suited to be appointed to leadership in our party.

The State Resolutions Committee rejected this resolution, instead, overwhelmingly passing this much different resolution in its place:

Resolution In Support of Non-Discrimination

WHEREAS The Republican Party of Texas affirms its commitment to Republican Party of Texas rule number 3, which states,

Discrimination Prohibited
Participation in any Republican convention or meeting including, but not limited to, any primary caucus, any meeting or convention held for the purposes of selecting delegates to a County, District, State, or National Convention shall in no way be abridged for reason of sex, age, race, religion, color, or national origin; and

WHEREAS, the Republican Party of Texas affirms and supports all Americans’ right to practice their religion (RPT Legislative Priority “Religious Freedom and Privacy”, RPT Platform Planks 84, 305, 306) and recognizes the contributions of Republicans of every faith who advance conservative policies and ideals; now

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the State Republican Executive Committee encourages all Republican county executive committees to follow the Rules of the Republican Party of Texas related to participation in meetings and conventions; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Republican Party of Texas calls for all Republican organizations to advocate and adhere to our platform planks protecting and preserving religious liberty for all Americans, a fundamental principle which has been a bedrock of our society and government since its inception; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to all Republican county chairs in Texas.

Respectfully submitted,
Resolutions Committee


This very different resolution does not mention Shahid Shafi, Darl Easton, or even Tarrant County.

Most importantly, no one has suggested denying Shahid Shafi the right to participate in any meeting " held for the purposes of selecting delegates to a County, District, State, or National Convention."  And no one has suggested denying Shahid Shafi the right to practice his religion.