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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The Texas Public Policy Foundation is celebrating |
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its 20th anniversary in 2009; and |
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WHEREAS, In the two decades since it was established, this |
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organization has been a tireless defender of the founding |
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principles of this great country: liberty, personal |
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responsibility, and free enterprise; and |
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WHEREAS, The foundation was organized in San Antonio in 1989 |
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by a small group of civic-minded Texans who were inspired by the |
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effectiveness of the Heritage Foundation at the national level; |
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these citizens were determined to protect Texans' liberties and |
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freedom by using independent, market-based research to devise |
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solutions to problems confronting state government; and |
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WHEREAS, While the Texas Public Policy Foundation focused |
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initially on education and tort reform, it has grown to become a |
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broad-based research institute, the largest in the state guided by |
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free-market principles; today, its purview encompasses taxation, |
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government spending, criminal justice, health care, property |
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rights, public infrastructure, consumer markets, and the |
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environment; and |
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WHEREAS, The foundation sponsors research by in-house policy |
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analysts and by scholars from across the state and around the world; |
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over the years, this institution has played an integral role in the |
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Texas legislative process by generating sound, independent |
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research and recommendations and by educating elected leaders |
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without regard to their political affiliation or philosophical |
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viewpoint; and |
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WHEREAS, Implementation of the foundation's proposals has |
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contributed to remarkable economic success in the Lone Star State; |
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Texas now leads the nation, or ranks near the top, in overall job |
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creation, overall financial condition, and the number of Fortune |
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500 companies headquartered in the state; moreover, Texas boasts |
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nearly the lowest per capita general revenue tax burden in the |
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country; and |
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WHEREAS, Early board members and advisors included former |
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president George W. Bush, Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst, |
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Railroad Commissioner Michael Williams, Congressman Jeb |
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Hensarling, and other influential leaders; the foundation's |
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current board of directors consists of members from a variety of |
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professions and industries, including law, medicine, oil, media, |
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real estate, and academia; and |
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WHEREAS, Since its inception, the Texas Public Policy |
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Foundation has grown in both influence and size, and today it ranks |
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as a leading defender of freedom and liberty; with almost 20 |
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employees and contracted experts and a budget of more than $3 |
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million, the foundation constitutes the largest state-based think |
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tank in the nation and serves as an outstanding model for other |
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free-market organizations; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas |
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Legislature hereby commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Texas |
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Public Policy Foundation and extend to all those associated with |
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the organization sincere best wishes for continued success; and, be |
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it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for the foundation as an expression of high regard by the |
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Texas House of Representatives. |
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McCall |
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______________________________ |
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Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.R. No. 943 was adopted by the House on March |
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24, 2009, by a non-record vote. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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