Texas Governor Greg Abbott was in Lubbock Friday afternoon to speak at the Texas Federation of Republican Women's (TFRW) State Convention.

"With TFRW’s amazing record of almost 2 million volunteer hours, you did more than help me crush Battleground Texas - you helped me win the women’s vote by double digits," Governor Abbott said in his remarks. "And because of your tireless efforts to elect Republicans, Texas remains the #1 state in the nation. America needs a strong Texas now more than ever, and Texas needs Republican women leading the charge."

Also appearing at the TFRW State Convention this week: Lt. Governor Dan Patrick, U.S. Senator John Cornyn, U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, and a bevy of Texas State Representatives and State Senators.

---------------

Governor Abbott's complete speech can be read below:

Governor Abbott Speech at TFRW Luncheon in Lubbock, November 6, 2015
Thank you, Jody. Congratulations on your election to the National Board of NFRW. You can show women across America how Republicans win elections in Texas.

With TFRW’s amazing record of almost 2 million volunteer hours, you did more than help me crush Battleground Texas. You helped me win the women’s vote by double digits.

I want to thank one woman in particular – the fabulous First Lady of Texas.

One thing missing from this convention is my daughter Audrey. She attended this convention with me for most of the past 15 years. She’s now away at college, but she did want to send a message. She said that now that she’s 18, she’ll be casting her first vote this election. She will join you to ensure Hillary is not our next president.

Audrey is aghast that Hillary suggested that guns should be confiscated. Hillary obviously doesn’t understand Texas history – or Texas women. A government once tried to disarm the people of Texas, and it was women who rose up by making a flag that said “Come and Take It.” Threatening to take guns may win Hillary friends in the Hamptons, but it won’t win her votes in Texas.

Your ongoing efforts ensure that Hillary won’t have a chance in Texas. Thank you for working with my field staff at phone banks and through social media. With your help, just this year, we’ve made 200,000 calls and knocked on over 20,000 doors. TFRW clubs across the state have been doing great things. Lubbock Area Republican Women have been registering voters and recruiting volunteers from Texas Tech College Republicans. It gives new meaning to the Red Raiders. Nacogdoches Republican Women have not only been serving as Deputy Voter Registrars, they’ve also been serving our troops by preparing care packages for them.

Because of your tireless efforts to elect Republicans, Texas remains the #1 state in the nation.

You deserve a state that doesn’t rob you of your hard-earned money. That’s why Texas led the nation in cutting taxes, and we’re looking for more ways to cut them next session.

You deserve a state where the quality of living is good. That’s why Texas is leading the nation by dedicating over $40 billion for roads.

You deserve to live in a state that is safe and secure and follows the rule of law. That’s why in Texas, we back the blue. That’s why Texas is doing what the federal government has failed to do. We are securing our border ourselves. We just passed the strongest border security law of any state ever. We’re spending a billion dollars to put hundreds of officers on the border. We’re adding thousands of cameras that detect any cross border activity. We’re putting more planes in the air and boats on the water. We are sending a message to the drug cartels smuggling people – stop messing with Texas.

Now it’s time to take the next step and insist that the rule of law is followed in this state by outlawing sanctuary cities.

You deserve a state that reveres and respects life. That’s why we defunded the barbaric practices of Planned Parenthood. We’re now undertaking an investigation that could permanently put Planned Parenthood out of business in Texas.

You deserve a state that educates our children. We made substantial improvements this last session from early education to higher education. This is on top of the tremendous success we’ve seen. Texas has the second highest high school graduation rate in the nation. Our high school graduation rate is the highest in the nation for African American and Hispanic students. We have the #1 Independent School District in the nation for AP scores, and we have the nation’s teacher of the year from Amarillo. And the new Governor’s University Research Initiative will be attracting the best and brightest researchers to the state with the goal of Texas having 5 of the top 10 public universities in the nation.

I could go on, but let me close with this. Texas truly is exceptional and you are a big reason why.

Texas is what America is supposed to be. America needs a strong Texas now more than ever. And Texas needs Republican women leading the charge.

The First Lady and I are so grateful for all you do. May God Bless you, and may God forever bless the great State of Texas.

More From ESPN 960 San Angelo