Austin Visit.

  Liberty looking South off the top of the dome.

Inside Rotunda.

  I think this is in the Senate Chamber, which seemed to have slightly better art than the House.

   Painting of San Jacinto in the Senate.

  Rotunda detail at the top of the dome.

   Down to the Texas Capitol with Tyler Junior College folks for Community College Day.  

  Very impressive staff at TJC.  The Director or Student Activity and the Provost are very impressive folks, along with TJC President and other staff.  First rate people.  Sharp group of students along as well.  They took about 30 folks.  There were a thousand or more students from 50 community colleges on hand.

  We toured the Capitol inside and out including the new extension.  I'd never been in the underground extension before and it was quite nice, though a little supermaxy for me.  Had that buried feel.  Be interesting to know what else is hewn out of the chalk back there. 

  Watched the Senate and House in action and Rep. Bryan Hughes had time to meet with the group and take questions.  Senator Eltife saw us for a moment, but was locked in financial meetings.  We missed Rep Berman.

  Iconic paintings all around.  Big staircases and wonderful views.  It's a classic working building.

  Security was run by the Texas dept of Public Safety.  Officers posted all over where they could be in eye contact with each other.  They wore really thick body armor.  I don't know if they are expecting trouble or just being ready.  They all were professionally friendly.  Good folks, though of course, the usual holes in security.  Bag check and metal detector to get into Senate and house Chambers.  They did about as well as you can expect without turning into a travesty like the TSA.

  Everyone ought to visit the Texas Capitol.