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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Former state representative Pike Powers has played a |
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crucial role in transforming Central Texas into a technology |
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powerhouse; and |
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WHEREAS, A longtime leader in economic development, |
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Mr. Powers served in the legislature from 1972 to 1979; he joined |
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the administration of Governor Mark White in 1983 and began working |
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to diversify the industrial base by attracting MCC and Sematech to |
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Austin; subsequently, he continued his efforts as |
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partner-in-charge of Fulbright & Jaworski's Austin office, and he |
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is credited with bringing to the state such tech giants as 3M, |
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Applied Materials, and AMD, as well as major Samsung expansions; |
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their advent helped spur on such homegrown companies as Dell and |
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National Instruments; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Powers has galvanized the technology sector as a |
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member of numerous influential organizations, including the |
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Governor's Council on Science and Biotechnology Development, |
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established by Rick Perry; a central player in initiatives designed |
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to amplify collaboration among government, academia, and the |
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private sector, he worked with the state to launch the nearly $300 |
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million Texas Enterprise Fund, and he was vice chair of the $200 |
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million Texas Emerging Technology Fund; in 2002, he was |
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instrumental in the creation of the Texas Technology Initiative, |
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and he continues to serve as its chair; he has also co-chaired |
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Emergent Technologies-Fund IV for 15 years, and he is CEO of the |
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Pike Powers Group and chair of the Texas Foundation for Innovative |
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Communities; in addition, he has served on a host of corporate |
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boards and advisory boards; and |
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WHEREAS, Over the years, Mr. Powers has been a catalyst for |
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the creation of a business, civic, and philanthropic network in the |
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state's capital, and he has given generously of his time and |
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expertise in behalf of Opportunity Austin and the Greater San |
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Marcos Partnership; his accomplishments have earned him myriad |
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accolades, including the titles of Texas Legend from the American |
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Electronics Association, Texan of the Year from the Texas |
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Legislative Conference, and Austinite of the Year from the Austin |
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Chamber of Commerce; a graduate of Lamar University, he earned his |
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J.D. from The University of Texas School of Law; and |
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WHEREAS, Through his vision, acumen, and profound commitment |
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to the high tech information and entrepreneurial economy, Pike |
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Powers has made a tremendous impact in the Lone Star State; now, |
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therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 86th Texas |
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Legislature hereby honor Pike Powers for his vital contributions to |
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the development of the Austin regional technology economy and |
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extend to him sincere best wishes for continued success; and, be it |
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further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for Mr. Powers as an expression of high regard by the Texas |
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House of Representatives. |