Bill Clements

Bill Clements First GOP Texas governor since Reconstruction Bill Clements, 94, a two-term Texas governor who in 1979 became the first Republican elected governor in the state since Reconstruction, died Sunday at a Dallas-area hospital, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst said. Clements had been in failing health for several months, his family said. "As the father of the modern-day Texas Republican Party, Gov. Clements is responsible for the growth, success and election of Texas Republicans in every corner of our state," Gov. Rick Perry said.

Bill Clements First GOP Texas governor since Reconstruction Bill Clements, 94, a two-term Texas governor who in 1979 became the first Republican elected governor in the state since Reconstruction, died Sunday at a Dallas-area hospital, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst said. Clements had been in failing health for several months, his family said. "As the father of the modern-day Texas Republican Party, Gov. Clements is responsible for the growth, success and election of Texas Republicans in every corner of our state," Gov. Rick Perry said.

Bill Clements, the only Republican governor of Texas so far this century, returned to the office Tuesday after a four-year absence. Clements, who gained revenge for his 1982 election loss by defeating Democratic Gov. Mark White in November, was sworn in by Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice John Hill.

In a move that could significantly improve his chances in critical New England primaries, Gov. Pete Wilson announced Thursday that he has enlisted Massachusetts Gov. William F. Weld in an active role in his Republican presidential campaign. Weld will be national finance co-chairman. Weld will serve in tandem with developer Donald Bren, chairman of the Irvine Co. and a longtime Wilson friend and financial supporter. Also joining Wilson's finance team Thursday was former Texas Gov.

Gov. Bill Clements, who is recovering from a slight stroke suffered last week, will remain hospitalized while physicians try to control an irregularity in the rhythm of his heartbeat, officials said Saturday. A hospital spokeswoman said he was expected to be released today.

Gov. Bill Clements was released Sunday after being hospitalized for five days following a mild stroke. Clements, 71, was "in excellent condition," a spokeswoman for Seton Medical Center said. The governor's release, originally scheduled for Saturday, was delayed after doctors detected an irregularity in Clements' heart rhythm.

The Texas Department of Corrections has assigned sheriffs across the state quotas and schedules for delivering prisoners to the state prisons, officials said. The plan replaces the traditional open-door policy for accepting inmates and should put an end to the repeated closings and emergency inmate releases, for the time being, an aide to Gov. Bill Clements said. The system is under a federal court order to ease overcrowding.

invitation by David Letterman for governors to send in half-minute videotapes about their states hasn't stirred much excitement in Texas. Gov. Bill Clements said he has never seen NBC's "Late Night with David Letterman" or its host. "I haven't and don't intend to," Clements said, adding that he is usually in bed an hour before the show comes on. On Wednesday, Clements said, "Why not?" when asked if he would be interested in sending a tape for Letterman's series of "Gubernatorial Minutes."

Gov. Bill Clements of Texas will not allow abortion restrictions on the agenda of any upcoming special legislative session, a spokeswoman said. Clements said the Nov. 14 special session will be limited to workers' compensation reform. "We're not going to cloud the issue of the special session on workers' compensation by putting in these other extraneous issues," he said.

Texas Gov. Bill Clements, who two years ago publicly apologized for his role in the pay-for-play scandal that cost Southern Methodist University its football program, signed a bill making it a crime to recruit student-athletes with money or gifts. The legislation Clements signed into law makes giving improper payments to a student-athlete a third-degree felony, punishable by two to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000. A student who solicits or accepts money or gifts in exchange for attending a college and playing intercollegiate sports would face misdemeanor charges.

Gov. Bill Clements was released Sunday after being hospitalized for five days following a mild stroke. Clements, 71, was "in excellent condition," a spokeswoman for Seton Medical Center said. The governor's release, originally scheduled for Saturday, was delayed after doctors detected an irregularity in Clements' heart rhythm.

invitation by David Letterman for governors to send in half-minute videotapes about their states hasn't stirred much excitement in Texas. Gov. Bill Clements said he has never seen NBC's "Late Night with David Letterman" or its host. "I haven't and don't intend to," Clements said, adding that he is usually in bed an hour before the show comes on. On Wednesday, Clements said, "Why not?" when asked if he would be interested in sending a tape for Letterman's series of "Gubernatorial Minutes."

Gov. Bill Clements of Texas will not allow abortion restrictions on the agenda of any upcoming special legislative session, a spokeswoman said. Clements said the Nov. 14 special session will be limited to workers' compensation reform. "We're not going to cloud the issue of the special session on workers' compensation by putting in these other extraneous issues," he said.

Gov. Bill Clements, who is recovering from a slight stroke suffered last week, will remain hospitalized while physicians try to control an irregularity in the rhythm of his heartbeat, officials said Saturday. A hospital spokeswoman said he was expected to be released today.