H.R. No. 849
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Dr. Raymund A. Paredes is retiring from his post as
the Texas commissioner of higher education in August 2019, drawing
to a close a tenure distinguished by significant progress and
achievement; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Paredes has served as CEO of the Texas Higher
Education Coordinating Board since 2004, overseeing statewide
strategic planning for education and the administration of
financial aid; over the course of his exemplary 15-year tenure, he
has led the effort to reinvent developmental education in Texas,
introduced outcome-based funding for community and technical
colleges, and launched an affordable bachelor's degree program at
more than 10 institutions; and
WHEREAS, A native of El Paso, Raymund Paredes earned his
bachelor's degree in English from The University of Texas at
Austin; he served for two years in the U.S. Army, including a
14-month tour of duty in Vietnam with the First Infantry Division,
and after returning to civilian life, he received a master's degree
in American studies from the University of Southern California and
a Ph.D. in American civilization from UT Austin in 1973; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Paredes spent much of his academic career at the
University of California, Los Angeles, where he was an English
professor and vice chancellor for academic development; he also
served as special assistant to the president of the UC System,
working on outreach efforts to improve access to education for
students from educationally disadvantaged communities; he went on
to serve as director of creativity and culture at the Rockefeller
Foundation and as president for programs for the Hispanic
Scholarship Fund; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Paredes has been a member of the Education
Commission of the States, the national board of Big Brothers Big
Sisters, and the board of the Texas Cultural Trust, as well as a
trustee of the College Board and Mercy College of New York; in 2007,
he was named one of Hispanic Business magazine's 100 Most
Influential Hispanics; and
WHEREAS, This esteemed professional's vision, leadership,
and commitment to the mission of higher education have greatly
benefited the students of Texas, and he may indeed reflect with
pride on all that he has accomplished; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 86th Texas
Legislature hereby commend Dr. Raymund A. Paredes on his 15 years
of service as Texas commissioner of higher education and extend to
him sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Dr. Paredes as an expression of high regard by the
Texas House of Representatives.
Morrison
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 849 was adopted by the House on March
21, 2019, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House