AUSTIN (July 6, 2009)--Texans tired of big government and taxes rallied on courthouse and Capitol lawns, at times interrupting the remarks of Sen. John Cornyn in Austin.

From Gilmer and Lufkin in East Texas to Austin and Dallas, hundreds of people gathered on the Fourth of July for Independence Day tea parties.

In Austin, Cornyn was booed at the start and close of his remarks critical of federal spending and taxes.

Cornyn, a Republican, said after his speech that he wasn't part of Washington and can vote no on reckless spending bills.

Gov. Rick Perry told the Austin crowd that Washington needed to hear them "loud and clear" on a message of cutting spending and taxing.

In Lufkin, the crowd booed as the names of President Obama, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi were read.