Among VIP visitors lately to the Jade Museum and Jades, S.A. showroom in Antigua was former Texas Gov. Ann Richards, who had an enjoyable visit with seventh generation Texan Mary Lou Ridinger.
Among Texas tales they exchanged were recollections of Mary Lou’s great grandfather, who lost the governor’s race i the 1930s to Ma Ferguson, wife of a corrupt governor. ann recalled a debate in the Texas legislature over a bill to require Spanish language education in public schools. The English only majority was persuaded by Gov. Ma Ferguson’s argument: “If English was good enough for Jesus Christ, it’s good enough for Texas.”
Ann was serving her second term as a state treasurer when she gained national prominence by delivering the keynote address at the 1988 Democratic National Convention. She was elected governor in 1990.
