Mr. Speaker and members, I stand before you tonight for one reason and one reason only, and that's because I love this Texas House. I love every member in here. I've come to appreciate every different point of view that's expressed here.

Members, over the past week's time I have expressed both privately and publicly to Speaker Craddick that it is time for a new speaker of the Texas House.

[An audio version of this speech is available in our Files section. [1]]

Now this is very difficult for me to get up here and say this. I've lost a lot of sleep and I've worried myself silly and the reality of the fact is I've got to go through with this.

I also want to emphasize my strongest conviction that this House must either by rule or through principled statesmanship adopt a policy of a three-term limit to the office of Speaker of the House.

The consolidation of money, power, and influence is detrimental to this House and the State and it must end now.

I am a Republican who has voted for Speaker Craddick three times, but I will not and can not support his re-election and I beg him to step down.

My position is not without cost. I have been threatened, I've had my ability as Chair called to question, and I was told as recently as Saturday that they're actively recruiting an opponent to run against me in my district.

And to this, members, I say, so be it. So be it.

To all I say simply:

I will not yield.

I will not yield to tyranny, bullying, or threats.

This body will never realize its potential as long as fear, intimidation, retaliation, and character assassination are allowed to be tolerated.

Greatness is never found in leaders that place their self interest and financial gain above the public good. This is wrong. I believe it's unethical, and it must be stopped.

This session we've witnessed a manipulation of the rules and the legislative process. It appears the budget is being stopped, delayed and exploited for political gain. I say this is wrong! It appears we have lost our traditional of a grueling work schedule.  We appear to be working at a bill-killing pace.

Now we have the threat that the Speaker will use his $4 million speaker account — or should I add a zero and make it $40 million? — to attack fellow Republicans. Now let me tell you this, and I feel better. I did have a good, positive meeting with the Speaker today, for about an hour, and he told me unequivocally that that would not happen to any member in this body. Any member. And I am very pleased that he has that commitment, that he won't do that and nobody associated with him. And I appreciate that because I've got to tell you, this is hanging over this body, in what I believe is a very terrible way.

It's out of bounds — it is an abuse of office. Mr. Speaker, I regret to tell you, that your action may force this House to take an historical position. So be it.

Mr. Speaker, please consider stepping down. Don't put this body through 18 months of hell. Your re-election will only result in a bloody and brutal and, I believe, non-productive 81st session. Be a statesman.

We need a new direction, inspired leadership, and a member-driven body.

If a call on the Speaker is made this session, it will be a referendum on whether we collectively, as leaders, want to continue to be lead by a person who doesn't have the confidence of the body, or whether we dare — or whether we dare — to chart a new course, trusting that there are great leaders among us!

This body can flourish under a new Republican leadership. Release us and submit to the will of the House. Please.

This battle is worth fighting. For me it means risking my political career. And I'm at peace with that. I understand the consequences, but it's still worth fighting. And I close with Shakespeare:

"We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;

For he to-day that sheds his blood with me

Shall be my brother…

And gentlemen in England, now a-bed

Shall think themselves accursed they were not here;

And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks

That fought with us."

God bless Texas!

Byron Cook is a Republican state representative from Corsicana. He gave this speech on the floor of the House on the evening of May 21, with a week left to go in the regular session.