A look back at memorable Democratic National Convention speeches by Texans

Texas Democrats are not used to having such a small role during a Democratic National Convention.

In an event that features dozens of prominent prime time speakers, no Texans were on the initial schedule aside from The Chicks, the band formerly known as the Dixie Chicks who will perform on Thursday night just before Joe Biden accepts the Democratic nomination for president.

"I don't understand that," Texas Democratic Party Chairman Gilberto Hinojosa told NBC affiliate KXAN in Austin. "Somebody messed up. Somebody dropped the ball."

Texas Democrats were assured Friday the schedule was still evolving and some Texans will be included in the final lineup.

"Our understanding is that the speaking program is not yet final. We are concerned, we have made inquiries, and we continue to advocate for Texas' Democratic leaders," Hinojosa said.

Sources tell the Houston Chronicle that U.S. Reps. Sylvia Garcia of Houston and Veronica Escobar of El Paso will speak at the event, and that former presidential contender Beto O'Rourke will play some part as well.

In the past, Texas Democrats have played big roles at conventions with former Houston Congresswoman Barbara Jordan, former Gov. Ann Richards and former San Antonio Mayor Julián Castro all delivering memorable keynote addresses.

Others, like Cecile Richards, the former president of Planned Parenthood, U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee and actress Eva Longoria, a Corpus Christi native, have spoken at the DNC, too.

Here's a look back at some of the most memorable Texas speeches at Democratic National Conventions in the past.

BARBARA JORDAN

In 1976, Jordan became the first Black woman to deliver the keynote address before the Democratic convention, a point she underscored in her speech.

"But there is something different about tonight, something special about tonight," Jordan told the crowd at Madison Square Garden in New York City. "What is different? What is special? I, Barbara Jordan, am a keynote speaker."

Jordan became a national figure after serving in Congress for 6 years from 1973 to 1979 and before that, in 1966, was the first African American elected to the Texas Senate since Reconstruction.

Part of Jordan's convention speech in 1976 sounds as if it were written for 2020.

"We are a people in a quandary about the present," Jordan said. "We are a people in search of our future. We are a people in search of a national community. We are a people trying not only to solve the problems of the present, unemployment, inflation, but we are attempting on a larger scale to fulfill the promise of America. We are attempting to fulfill our national purpose, to create and sustain a society in which all of us are equal."

ANN RICHARDS

In Atlanta 1988, it was Richards, the future Texas Governor, who was tapped to deliver the keynote speech. During her more than 30-minute address, Richards sprinkled in colorful lines about "dominoes clicking on the marble slab" and how she was "gonna tell how the cows ate the cabbage."

But her most memorable line came in her description of fellow Texan George H.W. Bush.

"And for eight straight years George Bush hasn't displayed the slightest interest in anything we care about," Richards said of Bush, who was coming off two terms as President Ronald Reagan's vice president. "And now that he's after a job that he can't get appointed to, he's like Columbus discovering America — he's found child care, he's found education. Poor George, he can't help it — he was born with a silver foot in his mouth."

Two years later, Richards would become governor of Texas, the last Democrat to win the post. She served one term before being defeated by Bush's son and future president George W. Bush.

JULIÁN CASTRO

In 2012, President Barack Obama turned to Castro to deliver the keynote address, making him the first Latino ever to do so at a Democratic National Convention.

Castro spoke of his family's immigrant roots.

"My family's story isn't special," Castro said. "What's special is the America that makes our story possible. Ours is a nation like no other, a place where great journeys can be made in a single generation. No matter who you are or where you come from, the path is always forward."

For much of his speech, Castro took on then GOP nominee Mitt Romney's economic plan and cast him as being out of touch with how most Americans live because of his wealth and privilege.

"I don't think Governor Romney meant any harm," Castro said. "I think he's a good guy. He just has no idea how good he's had it."

Two years after the speech, Castro would become Obama's Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.