Bill Text: TX SCR14 | 2019-2020 | 86th Legislature | Enrolled
Bill Title: Recognizing James Henry Russel for his service as president of Texarkana College.
Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Republican 2)
Status: (Passed) 2019-03-21 - Signed by the Governor [SCR14 Detail]
Download: Texas-2019-SCR14-Enrolled.html
| S.C.R. No. 14 | ||
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| WHEREAS, James Henry Russell is stepping down as president of | ||
| Texarkana College in January 2019, following more than seven years | ||
| of exemplary service to the college; and | ||
| WHEREAS, When Mr. Russell took over as president in June | ||
| 2011, Texarkana College was facing many challenges; he launched the | ||
| TC Tomorrow Community Challenge to raise support and funds for the | ||
| school and enlisted the help of TC alumnus H. Ross Perot, which | ||
| resulted in a $5 million contribution; he oversaw the increase of | ||
| the TC Foundation's assets from $2.8 million to over $8.2 million | ||
| since 2013, and he led the effort to expand the school's tax | ||
| district and to increase its tax revenue; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Under Mr. Russell's leadership, the college | ||
| established a scholarship program to provide free tuition and fees | ||
| to high-achieving area students, significantly increased the | ||
| graduation rates of African American students, expanded the | ||
| dual-credit scholarship program for disadvantaged students, and | ||
| opened the first new building in decades, the Betty and Buddy | ||
| Ledwell Workforce Training Center; today, the school rests on a | ||
| firm financial foundation, and it has been recognized with the Leah | ||
| Meyer Austin Award by the Achieving the Dream organization; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Mr. Russell earned his bachelor's, master's, and | ||
| doctoral degrees from Texas A&M University--Commerce; he previously | ||
| served as superintendent of the Texarkana and Melissa school | ||
| districts, and he has also worked as a high school and a middle | ||
| school principal; he is a cofounder of the TeacherTube company and | ||
| served as its CEO from 2014 to 2016; he is leaving the college to | ||
| become executive vice president and chief financial officer of BWI | ||
| Companies; and | ||
| WHEREAS, In addition to his professional accomplishments, | ||
| Mr. Russell has been active in the community with the Boy Scouts, | ||
| Band Boosters, and Williams Memorial United Methodist Church, and | ||
| in 2013, he was presented with the C. E. Palmer Award by the | ||
| Texarkana Chamber of Commerce; in all his endeavors, he benefits | ||
| from the love and support of his wife, Rosemary, and his three | ||
| children, Madeline, Colleen, and Reed; and | ||
| WHEREAS, James Henry Russell's dedication, professionalism, | ||
| and commitment to the mission of Texarkana College have greatly | ||
| benefited the community, and he may indeed reflect with pride on | ||
| his exemplary leadership as he takes on the challenges and | ||
| opportunities of his new position; now, therefore, be it | ||
| RESOLVED, That the 86th Legislature of the State of Texas | ||
| hereby commend James Henry Russell on his outstanding tenure as | ||
| president of Texarkana College and extend to him sincere best | ||
| wishes for continued success; and, be it further | ||
| RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be | ||
| prepared for Mr. Russell as an expression of high regard by the | ||
| Texas House of Representatives and Senate. | ||
| ______________________________ | ______________________________ | |
| President of the Senate | Speaker of the House | |
| I hereby certify that S.C.R. No. 14 was adopted by the Senate | ||
| on February 19, 2019. | ||
| ______________________________ | ||
| Secretary of the Senate | ||
| I hereby certify that S.C.R. No. 14 was adopted by the House | ||
| on March 6, 2019. | ||
| ______________________________ | ||
| Chief Clerk of the House | ||
| Approved: | ||
| ______________________________ | ||
| Date | ||
| ______________________________ | ||
| Governor | ||
