PRESS RELEASE
FORT BEND COUNTY JUDGE KP GEORGE ENGAGES IN LOCAL ACTION TO SUPPORT UKRAINE; OPPOSE RUSSIAN AGGRESSION
(FORT BEND, TX) – Fort Bend County Judge KP George issued a list of directives and requests for local action, here in Texas, to oppose unprecedented, unprovoked, and undemocratic warfare by Russia against the free nation of Ukraine. Please find Judge George's official letter and next steps attached.
"Fort Bend County joins the world in supporting Ukraine, Ukrainian people, and Ukrainian Americans against the unprecedented, unprovoked, and undemocratic violence unleashed by the Russian Government. All of us - including international, national, and local leaders - can and must do all in our power to support Democracy and Peace during this tumultuous time in our world," said Judge KP George. "That's why I am launching numerous initiatives from financial sanctions, cybersecurity protections, the expulsion of Russian officials in Houston, providing resources to Ukrainians in need at the local level, and more."
In addition to meeting with the Ukrainian Consul General based in Houston to offer support for the thousands of Ukrainian Americans that call Fort Bend County and the Greater Houston area home, Judge KP George is meeting with State and Federal Officials on the following matters:
- EXPULSION: Expel the Russian Consular Mission out of Houston including the expulsion of Russian High-Ranking Officials from the Houston area.
- FINANCIAL SANCTIONS: The State of Texas needs to authorize the Texas Department of Information Resources, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, Texas Secretary of State, Texas State Auditor’s Office, and other relevant agencies to review all state contracts to ensure none of them are with Russian state-owned companies, either directly or as subcontractors; work to terminate any contracts that include Russian state-owned companies as contractors or subcontractors; and ensure future procurement efforts analyze any possible connections with Russian state-owned companies. All State of Texas funds should divest from Russian-owned assets.
- DIVEST: Urging higher education institutions to review and reconsider any grants or projects they have with Russia, and to divest endowments from Russian-owned assets.
- CYBER SECURITY: Directing the Department of Information Technology to focus on protecting the state and local government’s critical infrastructure from Russian cyberattacks or misinformation efforts.
- COMMUNITY: Fort Bend County is ready to welcome refugees of this conflict and provide support. We will work with the State of Texas, Federal Government, and Fort Bend nonprofits and faith institutions to continue and enhance interagency and collaborative efforts to support Ukrainian-born Texans and those who are fleeing this conflict, including but not limited to exploring all options for housing, opportunities for future employment, and access to resources.
Media Resources: Judge George is willing to update members of the media on the local response to the Ukrainian conflict. Please arrange a time with tami.fraizer@fortbendcountytx.gov
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