The guests from North Texas include a Richardson ISD teacher and a Fort Worth veteran.
DALLAS — President Joe Biden is set to deliver his second State of the Union address tonight at 8 p.m. CT.
Taking place at the U.S. Capitol, lawmakers will be able to bring a guest to witness the address in person. The White House also has a list of guests who will be seated next to first lady Jill Biden.
Here’s a look at the North Texas residents who will be attending the State of the Union.
Richardson ISD Principal Pharah Hogan
U.S. Rep. Colin Allred, whose 32nd congressional district covers much of Dallas County, will be bringing a North Texas principal as his guest.
Pharah Hogan is currently the principal of Richardson ISD’s Richland Elementary School.
She has been an educator for 17 years in Texas and is described as a “changemaker” at Richland Elementary.
“I am honored to have Principal Pharah Hogan as my guest at the State of the Union this year,” Allred said in a statement. “As the son of a public school teacher and a product of Dallas public schools, I know that educators like Principal Hogan change the world every single day but don’t often get the recognition they deserve. I will keep working to get schools the resources they need so every kid in North Texas has the tools they need to succeed and chase their version of the American dream.”
Dallas immigration activist Douglas Interiano
Douglas Interiano, CEO of Proyecto Immigrante Immigration Counseling Services in Dallas, will be U.S. Rep. Marc Veasey’s guest at the State of the Union.
Veasey, whose district extends from parts of Fort Worth to Carrollton, said he’s brining Interiano in order to highlight workforce needs.
“I am honored to welcome Douglas as my guest because he emphasizes the critical role immigrants play in our American economy,” Veasey said in a statement. “As cities and towns across the country continue to grapple with the labor shortage, it’s time for Congress to capitalize on economic migration and pass comprehensive immigration reform.”
Fort Worth Navy Lt. Levi Beaird
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) invited a Navy veteran from Fort Worth as his guest.
Lt. Levi Beaird had been threatened to be discharged from the Navy due to his choice to not receive the COVID-19 vaccine. He had filed a religious exemption request.
He was able to keep his position following a lawsuit in March 2022.
According to Cruz’s office, Beaird and others are still facing repercussions for not getting the vaccine such as bonuses being withheld and potentially having to repay military education.