In a move signaling a renewed focus on government transparency, the Texas General Land Office has appointed a veteran records specialist to lead its newly formed open government initiative, while simultaneously working to preserve a piece of state history with the return of iconic Alamo artifacts.
Texas Land Office Creates New Position to Champion Transparency
The Texas General Land Office has taken a notable step toward greater government transparency with the appointment of Hadassah Schloss as its first-ever Director of Open Government. Schloss, who previously served as the GLO’s Open Records Coordinator, steps into the role created by Commissioner George P. Bush in January 2015.
“Commissioner George P. Bush today announced the appointment of Hadassah Schloss to the newly created role of Director of Open Government at the Texas General Land Office,” the agency stated in its announcement. The move appears to reflect Bush’s campaign promises to bring greater transparency to state government operations.
What does this mean for Texans? The creation of this position suggests a more proactive approach to government accountability, potentially making it easier for citizens to access public records and understand how the land office manages state resources.
Davy Crockett’s Pouch Returns Home in Historic Acquisition
In a separate but equally significant development, the GLO has facilitated the return of a remarkable piece of Texas history — Davy Crockett’s leather ammunition pouch from the Battle of the Alamo. The artifact, which traveled a winding path from Tennessee to Switzerland before returning to Texas, was part of what many consider the most significant collection of Alamo artifacts ever assembled.
The journey of this historic item is nothing short of extraordinary. “The fringed leather pouch David Crockett carried his musket balls in the day he fell at the Alamo probably started out its life in a Creek Indian village in Tennessee,” the GLO noted in a release. “Its trip to Texas with Crockett in 1836 was just the start of a journey that would eventually land it in Switzerland, in the home of British pop legend Phil Collins.”
Surprisingly, the pouch found its way into the hands of rock star Phil Collins, who developed an unexpected passion for Alamo history. Collins returned the artifact along with his entire collection to Texas in October 2014, marking a significant moment for historical preservation in the state.
The pouch and accompanying artifacts arrived “shortly after 10 a.m. on Oct. 28,” according to the GLO, completing a circle that began nearly 180 years earlier when Crockett himself arrived in Texas.
These dual developments — enhancing government transparency while preserving historical artifacts — reflect the diverse responsibilities of the Texas General Land Office under Commissioner Bush’s leadership. For Texans interested in their state’s history and governance, both announcements represent welcome news.
