The New Braunfels Legislative Conference, which is held annually in March to discuss key issues facing the state, announced today that retiring U.S. Rep Lamar Smith has been named its 'Texan of the Year for 2019, News Radio 1200 WOAI reports.
"Last year they had George Strait, I only with I could sing even one song," Smith joked. "I'm in great, great company."
The Conference this coming March will discuss key legislative issues like changing demographics, the impact of property tax reform on schools, and the need for 'civility' in politics and the media.
Smith, 70, is retiring as of the end of this year after 32 years in the U.S. House of Representatives. His seat was won earlier this month by fellow Republican Chip Roy.
The New Braunfels Legislative Conference has been naming a 'Texan of the Year' since 1972, and in that period has honored as Texan of the Year such varied figures as George H.W. and George W. Bush, economist Ray Perryman, Lady Bird Johnson, Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, and oil man T. Boone Pickens.