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