Creationist Activist Goes Into Lion's Den

Jonathan Saenz of the Free Market Foundation

A series of monthly forums on State Board of Education issues organized by local activist John Keohane – who is openly opposed to the fundamentalist wing of the SBOE and has called for the ouster of board member Cynthia Dunbar – will hear from the opposition on March 7. Jonathan Saenz of the Free Market Foundation (the Texas affiliate of Focus on the Family) will wade into central Austin to make his case for keeping the "strengths and weaknesses" language in the state's science teaching curriculum, wording that has been used by his group and others to challenge the teaching of evolution in Texas' public schools.

Well, we'll at least give him credit for bravery. He's not likely to get a sympathetic hearing in the library named after one of the most liberal U.S. senators in Texas history.

Press release from Keohane after the jump.

Announcement from John Keohane:

Jonathan Saenz, a leader in testifying in favor of the "Strengths and Weaknesses" language in K-12 science education, will be speaking at the State Board of Education Forum at Yarborough Public Library, 2200 Hancock in Austin, on Saturday, March 7.

The forums are being held on the first Saturday of every month this year from February through November, with the exception of July and September, when library holidays intervene. These forums are held from 11:45am to 1:15pm, in the meeting room. As in every meeting at the library, these are open to all. There is no charge; however, respect for the speaker, and the forum, will be maintained. After Mr. Saenz speaks, there will be some time for questions.

For more information, contact John Keohane, [email protected], (512) 371-3853.

Below is more information on our speaker:

Jonathan Saenz is Director of Legislative Affairs and licensed attorney for Free Market Foundation and heads the Austin office, right across from the Texas Capitol. He has worked on landmark Constitutional cases before the U.S. Supreme Court, Texas Supreme Court, and various state and federal courts.

Mr. Saenz writes editorial articles and has been published in state, national, and international publications.

He has testified numerous times before the Texas State Board of Education and has led the charge to keep the 20-year Texas policy of teaching the strengths and weaknesses of all scientific theories language in the Science TEKS.

Mr. Saenz was licensed by the State of Texas to practice law in November of 2003 and was in private civil litigation practice prior to joining Free Market Foundation & Liberty Legal Institute. He received his JD from the University of Houston Law Center and his BA in Sociology from the University of Texas at Austin.