AUSTIN, Texas (KXXV) — Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick announced strong support for expanding Turning Point USA's Club America chapters in high schools across the state, with Abbott threatening disciplinary action against any school that blocks the conservative organization's programs.
Speaking at the Texas Governor's Mansion, Abbott declared that any school standing in the way of Club America programs should be reported immediately to the Texas Education Agency, where he expects "meaningful disciplinary action to be taken."
Watch the announcement here:
"Let me be clear. Any school that stands in the way of a Club America program in their school should be reported immediately to the Texas Education Agency, where I expect meaningful disciplinary action to be taken place for any stoppage of TPUSA in the great state of Texas," Abbott said.
Texas currently leads the nation with more than 500 high school Club America chapters, according to Josh Thifault, Senior Director of Major Gifts with Turning Point USA.
Personal Connection Drives Support
Patrick shared a personal story about his decision to financially support the organization, recounting a conversation with Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk at the Trump Hotel on inauguration night in 2017.
"So in the chaos of what was going on in the lobby of the Trump Hotel that night, we sat there on a couch and he told me his dream, which a lot of people doubted could ever happen," Patrick said.
Patrick described Kirk's vision of establishing tables on campuses where students could engage in respectful dialogue about conservative values and constitutional principles.
Rapid Growth Following Tragedy
Thifault reported significant growth in the organization's high school presence, expanding from 1,200 high schools nationwide when Kirk passed away to 3,000 high schools just three months later. The organization aims to establish 20,000 Club America chapters across the country.
"Charlie was sick of this idea in the American psyche that when you became a teenager, that's when you left the faith. That's when you became liberal," Thifault said.
He praised Kirk's widow, Erica Kirk, for her leadership following her husband's death and her decision to forgive his killer at the memorial service.
"Erica turned the heart of the nation to God when she forgave her killer, and we are seeing that revival play out in young America and in all America right now," Thifault said.
Educational Mission Focus
Patrick emphasized the organization's educational mission, referencing Kirk's focus on teaching students fundamental questions about their origins, purpose and destiny.
"If you don't know where you came from and what purpose God has for you in life and where you're heading, you're lost," Patrick said, quoting Kirk.
The lieutenant governor connected the Club America expansion to other recent Texas legislation, including Senate Bill 10, which requires displaying the Ten Commandments in classrooms, and Senate Bill 11, which allows prayer time in schools.
Abbott compared Club America to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, noting that religious organizations have been permitted in public schools for over 50 years.
"This is about values, this is about constitutional principles, this is about a restoration of who we are as a country," Abbott said.
The state leaders emphasized that while they strongly support the conservative organization, the First Amendment protects both conservative and liberal student clubs in public schools.
In November, the Texas Education Commissioner met with an official from Turning Point USA to discuss creating chapters of the conservative youth organization in Texas high schools.
Patrick has previously pledged $1 million in campaign funds to install Turning Point USA at every Texas college and high school in the state.
Charlie Kirk started Turning Point as an 18-year-old. He was assassinated in September while he spoke at a Utah college campus.
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