The family of Buddy West is continuing to pray as the district 81 representative was improving but still in critical condition Saturday afternoon at Medical Center Hospital.

Lori Bennington, West's daughter, said her father had shown great improvement from when he first arrived at Medical Center Hospital on Thursday night.

"We're making progress," Bennington said. "He's opened his eyes and he's squeezed our hands."

Anabel Spencer, the executive director of communications/marketing for Medical Center Hospital, said West was still in critical condition.

Buddy West, who's been Odessa state representative for 14 years, collapsed Thursday  night at Harrigan's. He had just finished dialysis treatment Thursday evening when he arrived at the restaurant.

Bennington said West was still on a ventilator but the doctors were slowly weaning him off of the machine.

"They decreased it to 60-40," she said. "He's breathing on his own 60 percent and is on the ventilator for 40 percent of the time."

West started dialysis Dec. 23, 2007, while in Medical Center Hospital. In February, West's doctor said he was on dialysis four hours a day, three days a week.

WHO IS HE?
George E. "Buddy" West
>> Lived in Ector County: Since 1944.
>> Important: State Representative, District 81, which includes Andrews, Ector and Winkler Counties since 1992 -eight terms. Prior to being State Representative, he worked for Amoco Production for 30 years as a corporate safety engineer.
>> Education: Graduate of Odessa High, attended Odessa College, attended Howard Payne University, attended Hardin Simmons University, received BBA in management from The University of Texas of the Permian Basin.
>> Family: Shirley Porter West, wife, married 52 years; Richie West, son; Lori (West) Bennington, daughter; Ami (West) Satterwhite, daughter; seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
>> What was he proud of: West told the OA in December: "It was a personal victory of mine to pass House Bill 1157 this past legislative session, which will allow for the construction of a new student services building at UTPB. I also authored legislation that would allow for retirement and health insurance benefits for school police officers."
>> Background: West lost his seat in an April runoff with challenger Tryon Lewis. Lewis took 76 percent of the in the race for District 81 seat in the State House of Representatives.