H.R. No. 101
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Michael Maples retired as deputy executive
commissioner for the Health and Specialty Care System at the Texas
Health and Human Services Commission in June 2021, drawing to a
close an outstanding career in public service that spanned nearly
three decades; and
WHEREAS, Mike Maples earned his bachelor's degree in
psychology from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi and his
master's degree in human services from St. Edward's University;
after working briefly in the private sector, he began his career in
public service as a unit behavior therapy program director at the
Corpus Christi State School in 1992; and
WHEREAS, Over the course of his exemplary 29-year tenure with
the State of Texas, Commissioner Maples held leadership positions
with a number of health agencies; as assistant deputy commissioner
for the Department of State Health Services, he oversaw the Office
of Academic Affairs, the Center for Health Statistics, the Center
for Health Policy and Performance, the Vital Statistics Section,
the Office of Border Services, and the state hospitals; and
WHEREAS, Commissioner Maples helped found the Health and
Specialty Care System, and as deputy executive commissioner for the
system, he was responsible for 10 state hospitals and 13 state
supported living centers across Texas; he worked tirelessly to
bring mental health and substance abuse services to communities
across the state and helped establish Texas as a leader in forensic
inpatient mental health services; his efforts to modernize and
expand the state's psychiatric hospitals resulted in the
construction of two new hospitals, with a third in the planning
stages for the Dallas-Fort Worth area; and
WHEREAS, In 2020 and 2021, Commissioner Maples worked nearly
around the clock to address the challenges of the COVID-19
pandemic; throughout his career, he has been an indispensable
source of expertise on mental health and intellectual and
developmental disability for members of the legislature and other
officials; a leader in his field, he has served as president of the
National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors, and
he has also been active with several state and national boards and
associations; and
WHEREAS, In addition to his many professional achievements,
Mr. Maples has found time to serve his community as a volunteer
firefighter and emergency medical technician; in all his endeavors,
he has benefited from the love and support of his wife, Connie
Maples, and his three children, Garrett, Taylor, and Carley; and
WHEREAS, Mike Maples has made a positive and lasting
difference in the lives of countless Texans, and he may indeed
reflect with pride on a career well spent as he embarks upon the
next exciting chapter of his life; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas
Legislature, 2nd Called Session, hereby congratulate Michael
Maples on his retirement from the Texas Health and Human Services
Commission and commend him for his many years of dedicated service;
and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Mr. Maples as an expression of high regard by the Texas
House of Representatives.
Price
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 101 was adopted by the House on August
30, 2021, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House