MINUTES 
                                           
                SENATE COMMITTEE ON INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS & TRADE 
                               Monday, August 7, 2006 
                                     9:30 a.m. 
                                    Houston, TX 
                                           
                                       ***** 
                                           
         Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule  
         11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on International  
         Relations & Trade was held on Monday, August 7, 2006, at   
         Houston, Texas. 
          
                                       ***** 
                                           
         MEMBERS PRESENT:                        MEMBERS ABSENT: 
         Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr.                Senator Eliot Shapleigh 
         Senator Craig Estes                     Senator Kevin Eltife 
         Senator Kel Seliger                     Senator Troy Fraser 
                                                 Senator Judith Zaffirini 
                                           
                                       ***** 
                                           
         The chair called the meeting to order at 9:36 a.m.  The  
         following business was transacted:   
          
         The chair and members gave opening remarks.  
          
         The committee heard invited testimony on the interim charges.   
         Witnesses testifying and registering are shown on the attached  
         list.   
          
         At 12:15 p.m. Senator Lucio, Jr. moved that the committee stand  
         recessed until 12:50 p.m; without objection, it was so ordered.   
          
         At 12:50 p.m. Senator Ellis arrived at the committee hearing to  
         hear invited testimony. 
          
         At 1:15 p.m. Senator Estes assumed the chair.   
          
         At 1:30 p.m. Senator Lucio, Jr. resumed the chair.   
          
         At 1:45 p.m. Senator Gallegos arrived at the committee hearing  
         to hear invited testimony.  
          
         The following members arrived after the roll was called:   
         Senator Kel Seliger 
          
         The committee heard public testimony on the interim charges.    
         The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without  
         objection, it was so ordered.  Witnesses testifying and  
  
         registering are shown on the attached list.   
          
         There being no further business, at 3:09 p.m. Senator Lucio, Jr.  
         moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of  
         the chair.  Without objection, it was so ordered.   
          
         _____________________________ 
         Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr., Chair 
          
         _____________________________ 
         LeAnn Gallegos, Clerk