From the Archives: A Little Talk With Kay Granger
U.S. Congresswoman Kay Granger speaking at the 2015 Lincoln Day Dinner for the Tarrant County Republican Party in Fort Worth, Texas. Photo by Gage Skidmore.
Congresswoman Kay Granger has been a teacher, insurance-agency owner and three-term mayor of Fort Worth.
Since 1997, she has represented Texas' 12th Congressional District, which includes Fort Worth and parts of Parker and Wise counties, a seat once held by former House Speaker Jim Wright. She is currently a member of the Appropriations Committee and is the author of "What's Right About America: Celebrating Our Nation's Values." Parker County Today Managing Editor Darren White interviewed Granger in August about health care, local growth and, of course, cutting horses.
Parker County Today: Kay Granger Elementary School opened in north Fort Worth in 2007. As a former teacher, what is it like to have your name on a school building?
Kay Granger: I was so astonished they named it after me. My mother had a school named after her, too—the school where she was principal the last time in her career [Alliene Mullendore Elementary School in North Richland Hills, in the Birdville ISD]. She was an educator for 47 years, and it just meant the world to her. I remembered that so much. It was really amazing.
PCT: You grew up in east Fort Worth, and your family has lived in the district for five generations. How does that history affect your decision-making in Washington?
KG: It has an enormous effect because I've always thought my responsibility, as a member of Congress – any of us, really – is to reflect the values of our district and work for the needs of our district. Five generations, I mean, this is where we came from. All my values are seeded in my district.
PCT: Your district is very diverse. In Parker County, many people live in rural settings.
KG: It really shows in their attitude. The first time I ran, they asked me if I had visited the dairy farms, and I said, "No, I haven't." So, that was one of the things we did. It's pride; it's land that has been in the family for generations. And that's one of the things you have to understand about Parker County.
PCT: What do you think is the most important issue currently facing District 12?
KG: I would say growth, and how you manage that growth and keep who you are.
PCT: What insight do you have into managing growth as a former mayor of Fort Worth?
KG: I always say the most important thing is how the people that are coming into Parker County get to know what it's all about and become a part of the county and community. You don't want to have growth that changes [the nature of the place], because you don't want to lose the things that are most important to you. [Good growth] doesn't ever just happen. You have to have good planning and a good understanding of that growth. And Parker County has that. You have to introduce people to "This is who we are, and we want to maintain who we are."
PCT: You have a lot of experience with health care in Washington. What are your thoughts on the future of health care in the United States?
KG: I certainly don't think it should go to government-run health care. There are reforms that need to be made, and I think we all support them, but how do we maintain health care that's affordable to people and acceptable to people? There's not one answer to that, but we want to make sure we keep what's been the best health care in the world. How do we keep that, improve it and not have the cost escalate to where it's only for a few people? That's what's in front of us.
One of the ways you do that is with health-care technology. I've had two meetings this week, and both are companies in my district. One works with an electronic pharmacy. Let's say a person's health declines, or they're in an accident, and it's a matter of understanding their health as quickly as possible. With an electronic pharmacy, in literally two seconds, you can access any drug they are taking, even if it's been filled in another state. You can know their medication.
PCT: That's an impressive technology.
KG: It's a very impressive technology, and like I said, it's right here. You're not accessing it through India. It's right here in this district. The other meeting dealt with proton therapy cancer therapy, and it's a treatment through protons, and that's another company based right here. I think technology is going to make an enormous difference and also lower the cost of health care.
PCT: So you believe the tech side of health care goes a long way into looking into our future?
KG: Absolutely, so let's make sure we continue to support that and not shut it off because we are letting the technology leave this country.
PCT: Health care is one of the biggest issues on people's minds today. Why has this issue garnered so much public attention?
KG: It affects every person and every single business. Whether you are a young family or self-employed, or working for a big company, or working in the military. It affects everyone.
It's very important that I'm home with the people who supported me, and that I tell them what I'm doing, listen to what they think and to find every way in the world to do that.
PCT: This is a very busy time to be a lawmaker. How do you maintain a balance between Washington and home?
KG: I have a wonderful staff. Barbara Ragland, my district director, came with me on the campaign and then stayed afterward. The other way I stay grounded is that I have great friends. To them, I'm not a congresswoman. I'm just Kay. That is very important. It's important to everyone I talk to balancing a career and a family life. Family, faith and friends are how you do it.
PCT: The last two elections have been difficult for the Republicans. What do you think Republicans need to do in upcoming years to attract people to their message?
KG: First of all, we have to rebuild confidence in Republicans. In order to do that, we have to say, "We learned a lesson. We listened hard. We understand." Conservatives need to say that we learned lessons on spending; we learned lessons on sticking to values and principles, and solving problems – not just going along. People said, "We elect you to solve problems." I think that's extremely important.
PCT: People want to feel like they have a voice in Washington. How do you make sure you are that voice?
KG: They didn't elect me to say, "This is what I'm going to do, but I'm not coming home. I'm not going to listen to you, and it doesn't matter what you think." I never forget there are other people who could do the job I'm doing. I asked to do it. I asked people to support me. So, it's very important that I'm home with the people who supported me, and that I tell them what I'm doing, listen to what they think and to find every way in the world to do that. I still come home every weekend.
PCT: You've also been a small-business owner. What lessons did you learn?
KG: One of the reasons I ran for Congress is because I didn't think there were enough businesspeople and enough people who served at a local level. I served as a city councilwoman and a mayor, and I thought both of those things were incredibly important. As a businessperson, I ran an insurance agency for more than 20 years. You have to understand small business, which is the backbone of this country and, frankly, I think is being ignored right now. We're just not paying attention to small businesses. That's something that makes an enormous influence on my votes and where I stand.
PCT: You said small business is being ignored. What can be done to bring more of a voice to it?
KG: I remind people, if you're running a small business, you're working 24/7. A lot of small-business owners are not going to go to a town hall meeting because they are wrapping up in their business at the end of the day. In the health-care issue, I asked my staff to point out what it costs small business, because small business is the first to turn around after a recession if they have the opportunity to turn around. If we create an environment for business that taxes more, we're in very serious trouble.
PCT: Parker County is the cutting horse capital of the world. Have you ever ridden a cutting horse?
KG: I have, and I have in Parker County. Let me explain: Yes, I have. Am I good? No. I've always loved it. Watching the horse and rider is like watching a ballet. Several years ago I wanted to see if I could do that. I did it just long enough to have an enormous appreciation for people who do it. It's an amazing, amazing sport. I'm glad I had just a little opportunity to do it. Just a taste of it.
