84R23621 CJM-D
By: Márquez H.R. No. 2397
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Paul Foster, chair of The University of Texas System
Board of Regents, has long distinguished himself through his
dedicated service in behalf of his fellow Texans; and
WHEREAS, Born in East Texas, Paul Foster grew up in
Lovington, New Mexico, and worked his way through college,
graduating from Baylor University in 1979 with a bachelor's degree
in accounting; he managed finances for oil refineries across the
Southwest before founding his own firm, Western Refining, in 1997;
he currently acts as president and CEO of the company, which
operates two refineries and owns 200 convenience stores in the
United States; in addition, he chairs Western Refining Logistics
and Northern Tier Energy and is a board member of Jordan Foster
Construction, WestStar Bank, and the El Paso branch of the Dallas
Federal Reserve Bank; and
WHEREAS, This accomplished Texan has consistently worked for
the betterment of his community and state by taking an active role
in a number of worthy groups, including the El Paso Chamber of
Commerce, the Texas Business Leadership Council, and the Steering
Committee of the Borderplex Regional Economic Alliance; in 2007,
Governor Rick Perry appointed him to The University of Texas System
Board of Regents, which he led as vice chair beginning in 2009 and
has served as chair since 2013; he also served as chair of The
University of Texas Investment Management Company Board of
Directors; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Foster has further given generously of his time
and resources to support such notable organizations as the Plaza
Theatre, the Red Cross, United Way, and the Salvation Army;
moreover, he donated $50 million to Texas Tech University for the
construction of a new medical school, now named in his honor, and he
and his business partner, Jeff Stevens, gave $6 million to The
University of Texas at El Paso to fund the Foster-Stevens
Basketball Center; in recognition of his generosity and public
spirit, El Paso Inc. named him the 2007 El Pasoan of the Year; and
WHEREAS, Paul Foster has proven himself a leader of great
vision and ability, and he may indeed reflect with pride on his
outstanding efforts to improve the quality of life of all Texans;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas
Legislature hereby commend Paul Foster for his exceptional record
of public service and philanthropy and extend to him sincere best
wishes for continued success and happiness; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Mr. Foster as an expression of high regard by the Texas
House of Representatives.