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Ann Richards: States
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Ann Richards reformed the Texas prison system by establishing a substance abuse program for inmates in prison and reduced the number of violent offenders released back into society. She was a supporter of proposals to reduce the sale of semiautomatic firearms and cop killer bullets in the State.
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By the 1970s, Richards was an accomplished political worker, having worked to elect liberal Democrats Sarah Weddington and Wilhelmina Delco to the Texas Legislature, and having presented training sessions throughout the state on campaign techniques for women candidates and managers. She supported ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, presenting the amendment to the delegates of the National Women's Conference, held in Houston (1977). (The amendment was never ratified by enough states to become part of the Constitution.)
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Mr. Richards eventually became the owner and CEO of Vitex Packaging, a manufacturer of materials for the tea industry. His company had several plants in the United States and penetrated the Asian markets which help make tea the world's most popular beverage. He sold Vitex in 1998 but remains involved with the company. More recently, Mr. Richards has joined the Board of Directors of Stoffel Seals Corp.
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As treasurer of Texas, Richards helped modernize the Treasury to earn the greatest possible interest for the state of Texas. According to one estimate, the Treasury under Richards made more than $1.8 billion for the state of Texas, a vast improvement over the past. During this time she ... gained a reputation as a witty, engaging speaker and one of the most intriguing figures in Texas politics.
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Richards served on the Travis County Commissioners Court in Austin for six years before jumping to a bigger arena in 1982. Her election as state treasurer made her the first woman elected statewide in nearly 50 years.
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"Ann loved Texas, and Texans loved her. As a public servant she earned respect and admiration," Bush said in a statement. "Ann became a national role model, and her charm, wit, and candor brought a refreshing vitality to public life."
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