By: Wentworth S.R. No. 257
1-1 SENATE RESOLUTION
1-2 WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is proud to
1-3 recognize Patrick F. Taylor for his outstanding contributions to
1-4 the children of our country; and
1-5 WHEREAS, A native of East Texas, Patrick Taylor left home
1-6 at the age of 16 to attend Houston's Kinkaid High School on an
1-7 academic scholarship; he graduated from Louisiana State University
1-8 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in three and one-half years and began
1-9 working for independent oilman John Mecom, Sr.; and
1-10 WHEREAS, Mr. Taylor is now the owner of one of the nation's
1-11 leading independent oil and gas companies, Taylor Energy Company,
1-12 which he founded in 1979 and which is headquartered in New Orleans;
1-13 and
1-14 WHEREAS, An ingenious businessman who considers his education
1-15 inseparable from his success, Mr. Taylor has now revolutionized the
1-16 educational system in Louisiana; and
1-17 WHEREAS, By instigating and effecting the passage of a bill
1-18 that ensures a college education to all Louisiana students who
1-19 qualify, Patrick Taylor has opened up the doors to college for
1-20 some of Louisiana's poorest families; and
1-21 WHEREAS, Mr. Taylor became inspired to create a new
1-22 educational plan for his state when he was asked to speak to and
1-23 appear as a role model for 180 twice-failed and at-risk students
2-1 in the seventh and eighth grades at Livingston Middle School in
2-2 east New Orleans; and
2-3 WHEREAS, Determined to motivate the students at Livingston
2-4 Middle School and offer them an opportunity to succeed,
2-5 Patrick Taylor designed the "Taylor's Kids" Program which later
2-6 became Louisiana's Taylor Plan and was enacted into law in July
2-7 of 1989; and
2-8 WHEREAS, The Taylor Plan provides free tuition for five years
2-9 at state colleges and universities for families of low-to-moderate
2-10 income if students complete 17.5 hours of college preparatory
2-11 courses, maintain a C-plus grade-point average, and score at least
2-12 18 on the American College Test; and
2-13 WHEREAS, After the law's enactment, approximately 500
2-14 students who would have been unable to afford higher education
2-15 enrolled full-time in Louisiana public colleges; high schools
2-16 across the state reported that mathematics, science, and foreign
2-17 language courses were full for the first time with students
2-18 preparing to take advantage of the new law; and
2-19 WHEREAS, A crusader who promised students a college education
2-20 in return for hard work and avoiding crime and drugs, Patrick Taylor
2-21 has received national attention; he has appeared on "60 Minutes" and
2-22 his program has been highlighted in The New York Times and the
2-23 Wall Street Journal; and
2-24 WHEREAS, Innovative, resourceful, and uncommonly tenacious,
2-25 Patrick Taylor has become not only an amazingly successful
3-1 businessman in the field of oil and gas, but a champion of rights
3-2 for the inner-city child and a role model for educators and
3-3 legislators across the United States; and
3-4 WHEREAS, A great humanitarian who orchestrated major
3-5 educational reform in his state, Patrick Taylor is today one of
3-6 America's most respected citizens whose ambition, vitality, and
3-7 generosity will undoubtedly have significant impact on our nation's
3-8 youth for years to come; now, therefore, be it
3-9 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
3-10 73rd Legislature, hereby commend Patrick F. Taylor on his
3-11 exceptional accomplishments in the field of education and his
3-12 invaluable contributions to the future of our country; and,
3-13 be it further
3-14 RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
3-15 him as an expression of esteem from the Texas Senate.
3-16 _____________________________________
3-17 President of the Senate
3-18 I hereby certify that the
3-19 above Resolution was adopted by
3-20 the Senate on February 18, 1993.
3-21 _____________________________________
3-22 Secretary of the Senate
3-23 _____________________________________
3-24 Member, Texas Senate