LSR has received tributes to the late former Sen. Teel Bivins from current Sen. Kel Seliger (R-Amarillo), Gov. Rick Perry,  Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, and Sen. Leticia Van de Putte (D-San Antonio). We will add additional tributes to this space as we receive them. We print below:

Seliger: "Teel Bivins was a good friend and role model, who set a very high standard for commitment and accomplishment in public service, and will be sorely missed. Four members of the current staff working for Senate District 31 also worked for Senator Bivins. They, along with my family, and his many friends and colleagues throughout Texas extend our sincerest condolences to his family."

Gov. Rick Perry: “Texas lost a principled leader today, a man whose willingness to tackle the toughest issues helped set our state on its current course,” Gov. Rick Perry said. “I consistently credit the courage our state’s elected leaders showed in tackling a $10 billion budget deficit in 2003 as an essential building block of our current economic strength. As presiding chair of the Senate Finance Committee, Teel Bivins refereed a debate that literally changed the course of our state for the better. Texas educators can also thank him for his tireless advocacy for teacher pay raises. His unique combination of strength, grace and unselfish public service will be missed. Anita and I are praying for his family as they go through this tough time.”

Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst: "Teel Bivins was a friend of mine and a real statesman. He had more friends and was admired by more people than almost anyone else I know. Teel loved his family, loved Texas and loved public service, where he excelled as U.S. Ambassador to Sweden and Chairman of the Texas Senate Finance Committee. Teel will be greatly missed."

Sen. Leticia Van de Putte (D-San Antonio):  "Senator Bivins served in the Texas Senate from 1989-2004, providing admirable leadership and invaluable insight to our legislative body.  His advocacy on behalf of Texas' schoolchildren was an early lesson for me in how public service should be conducted in the Senate: with compassion, clarity, and well-informed knowledge.  Texas needs the type of leadership and policy acumen that Senator Bivins displayed during his time in the Texas Legislature. "