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SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, James Henry Russell is stepping down as president of |
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Texarkana College in January 2019, following more than seven years |
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of exemplary service to the college; and |
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WHEREAS, When Mr. Russell took over as president in June |
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2011, Texarkana College was facing many challenges; he launched the |
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TC Tomorrow Community Challenge to raise support and funds for the |
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school and enlisted the help of TC alumnus H. Ross Perot, which |
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resulted in a $5 million contribution; he oversaw the increase of |
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the TC Foundation's assets from $2.8 million to over $8.2 million |
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since 2013, and he led the effort to expand the school's tax |
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district and to increase its tax revenue; and |
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WHEREAS, Under Mr. Russell's leadership, the college |
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established a scholarship program to provide free tuition and fees |
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to high-achieving area students, significantly increased the |
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graduation rates of African American students, expanded the |
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dual-credit scholarship program for disadvantaged students, and |
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opened the first new building in decades, the Betty and Buddy |
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Ledwell Workforce Training Center; today, the school rests on a |
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firm financial foundation, and it has been recognized with the Leah |
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Meyer Austin Award by the Achieving the Dream organization; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Russell earned his bachelor's, master's, and |
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doctoral degrees from Texas A&M University--Commerce; he previously |
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served as superintendent of the Texarkana and Melissa school |
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districts, and he has also worked as a high school and a middle |
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school principal; he is a cofounder of the TeacherTube company and |
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served as its CEO from 2014 to 2016; he is leaving the college to |
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become executive vice president and chief financial officer of BWI |
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Companies; and |
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WHEREAS, In addition to his professional accomplishments, |
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Mr. Russell has been active in the community with the Boy Scouts, |
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Band Boosters, and Williams Memorial United Methodist Church, and |
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in 2013, he was presented with the C. E. Palmer Award by the |
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Texarkana Chamber of Commerce; in all his endeavors, he benefits |
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from the love and support of his wife, Rosemary, and his three |
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children, Madeline, Colleen, and Reed; and |
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WHEREAS, James Henry Russell's dedication, professionalism, |
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and commitment to the mission of Texarkana College have greatly |
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benefited the community, and he may indeed reflect with pride on |
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his exemplary leadership as he takes on the challenges and |
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opportunities of his new position; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the 86th Legislature of the State of Texas |
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hereby commend James Henry Russell on his outstanding tenure as |
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president of Texarkana College and extend to him sincere best |
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wishes for continued success; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for Mr. Russell as an expression of high regard by the |
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Texas House of Representatives and Senate. |
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______________________________ |
______________________________ |
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President of the Senate |
Speaker of the House |
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I hereby certify that S.C.R. No. 14 was adopted by the Senate |
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on February 19, 2019. |
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______________________________ |
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Secretary of the Senate |
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I hereby certify that S.C.R. No. 14 was adopted by the House |
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on March 6, 2019. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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Approved: |
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______________________________ |
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Date |
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______________________________ |
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Governor |