83R393 BPG-D
By: Raymond H.R. No. 234
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, After more than a quarter-century in public service,
Thomas Suehs retired as executive commissioner of the Texas Health
and Human Services Commission on August 31, 2012; and
WHEREAS, Tom Suehs assumed the post of executive commissioner
in 2009, after having served the agency as deputy executive
commissioner for financial services since 2003; under his
leadership, HHSC dramatically streamlined its processing of
applications for federal benefits and became one of the
top-performing states in this regard; Texas also obtained approval
to replace an archaic federal hospital funding system and expanded
the use of Medicaid managed care to control costs while improving
coordination of services; moreover, the state formed an innovative
partnership with local food banks to assist families more swiftly
while reducing the workload at state offices; and
WHEREAS, Over the course of his long tenure in government,
Mr. Suehs served as deputy commissioner of the Texas Department of
Mental Health and Mental Retardation and as associate commissioner
of the Texas Department of Human Services; his broad experience in
health care included time in the private sector as executive
director of the Texas Health Care Association and as a consultant
for Coyle Kelly & Associates; in addition, he served as president of
the American Society of State Health Care Executives; and
WHEREAS, This distinguished Texan holds a bachelor's degree
from Texas State University and an MBA from The University of Texas
at Austin; over the years, he has received numerous accolades,
among them the Bob Bullock Award for Outstanding Public
Stewardship, the Administrator of the Year award from the Texas
Public Employees Association, the Better Life Award from the Texas
Health Care Association, and the Patient Advocacy Award from the
Texas Academy of Family Physicians; and
WHEREAS, Active in the wider community as well, Mr. Suehs is a
member of the board of International Orthodox Christian Charities
and of the Order of St. Andrew, Archons of the Ecumenical
Patriarchate, which works to support religious freedom and human
rights; and
WHEREAS, Tom Suehs gave unstintingly of his talents and
expertise in behalf of the people of Texas throughout his career in
government, and his exceptional contributions will continue to
benefit his fellow citizens in the years to come; now, therefore, be
it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas
Legislature hereby honor Thomas Suehs for his accomplishments as
executive commissioner of the Texas Health and Human Services
Commission and extend sincere appreciation for his dedicated
leadership; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Mr. Suehs as an expression of high regard by the Texas
House of Representatives.