|
|
|
R E S O L U T I O N
|
|
WHEREAS, The year 2015 marks the 35th anniversary of the |
|
founding of Young Conservatives of Texas, and the Texas House of |
|
Representatives is pleased to recognize this significant milestone |
|
in the organization's history; and |
|
WHEREAS, A group of 177 students met in Austin at the Stephen |
|
F. Austin Hotel on Texas Independence Day, March 2, 1980, to |
|
establish Young Conservatives of Texas; and |
|
WHEREAS, A nonpartisan and independent youth organization, |
|
Young Conservatives of Texas was founded to attract students who |
|
believe in a conservative philosophy of government and to afford |
|
those students the opportunity to participate effectively in the |
|
political process; and |
|
WHEREAS, YCT is dedicated to promoting its Statement of |
|
Principles, including the beliefs that the Constitution was |
|
instituted for the protection of God-given rights, that the |
|
American system of Federalism, describing limited government and |
|
state sovereignty, serves to protect those rights, that economic |
|
freedom and the free enterprise system are essential to liberty, |
|
and that the aim of American foreign policy should be the protection |
|
of the freedom of the American people; and |
|
WHEREAS, For three and a half decades, YCT has served as a |
|
strong force on college campuses throughout the state, regularly |
|
hosting speakers and events representing a wide range of |
|
conservative thought; and |
|
WHEREAS, The organization is well known for inspiring young |
|
people in our state to become involved in politics, for maintaining |
|
an active presence as a lobby at the Texas Legislature, and for |
|
placing alumni in all levels of government and public policy, |
|
including the Texas Legislature and Congress; and |
|
WHEREAS, YCT also maintains a long running and respected set |
|
of legislative ratings that assess the actions of members of the |
|
Texas Legislature according to their adherence to conservative |
|
principles; and |
|
WHEREAS, The group successfully advocates for conservative |
|
candidates during both primary and general elections, through block |
|
walking, phone banks, straw polls, and contributions through its |
|
political action committee; moreover, YCT was instrumental in the |
|
election of both Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick and Attorney |
|
General Ken Paxton during the past election cycle; and |
|
WHEREAS, YCT has benefited from the dedicated leadership of |
|
23 state chairmen: Steve Munisteri (1980), Gary Nelson (1981), Greg |
|
Robertson (1982), Frank Reilly (1982-1986), Richard Munisteri |
|
(1987), Steve Stockman (1987-1988), Paul Bartley (1988-1989), |
|
Sharin Shafer (1990-1991), Scott Gaille (1991-1992), Andy Panos |
|
(1992-1993), Shawn Roberts (1993), David Guenthner (1994), Robert |
|
Johnson (1994-1996), Robert Means (1996-1997), Fred Tate |
|
(1997-1999), Liz Farrell (1999), Brent Tantillo (2000), Chris Allen |
|
(2001-2003), David Rushing (2003-2005), Randy Samuelson |
|
(2005-2006), David White (2006-2009), Elizabeth White (2009-2011), |
|
and Jeff Morris (2011-Present); and |
|
WHEREAS, YCT has many notable alumni, including former |
|
Republican Party of Texas Chairman Steve Munisteri, U.S. Senator |
|
Rand Paul, U.S. Congressman Jeb Hensarling, and former U.S. |
|
Congressman Steve Stockman; and |
|
WHEREAS, The members of Young Conservatives of Texas have |
|
consistently worked hard to promote the conservative principles in |
|
which they believe, and they have contributed their time and energy |
|
to many political campaigns; on March 2, 2015, they celebrated |
|
their group's numerous achievements during the past three and a |
|
half decades; now, therefore, be it |
|
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas |
|
Legislature hereby commemorate the 35th anniversary of Young |
|
Conservatives of Texas and extend to its members sincere best |
|
wishes for the future; and, be it further |
|
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
|
prepared for the organization as an expression of high regard by the |
|
Texas House of Representatives. |