88R15186 AMB-D
By: Paxton S.R. No. 264
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Representatives of the City of Plano, the Plano
Chamber of Commerce, and the Plano Independent School District are
visiting Austin on February 28 and March 1, 2023, to take part in
Plano Legislative Days at the State Capitol; and
WHEREAS, Boasting a population of approximately 292,000,
this self-styled City of Excellence is celebrating 150 years as a
city on July 2, 2023, and it continues to garner accolades for its
prosperity and quality of life; today, the city and its residents
benefit from the outstanding leadership of Mayor John Muns and the
seven members of the city council, Kayci Prince, Maria Tu, Anthony
Ricciardelli, Rick Grady, Shelby Williams, Julie Holmer, and Rick
Smith; in 2022, Plano was recognized as the ninth best city to find
a job by WalletHub and as a best place to live in America by MSN,
while maintaining its status as one of the safest cities in America
as recognized by SmartAsset and being recognized for
High-Performance Operations by Cartegraph; and
WHEREAS, Contributing greatly to the city's success is the
Plano Chamber of Commerce, which is committed to supporting
economic growth through advocacy, education, innovation, and
collaboration; promoting the city's outstanding workforce,
competitive business climate, world-class business parks, and
accessibility, the chamber represents many iconic global
corporations, including Toyota Motor North America, Liberty Mutual
Insurance, JPMorgan Chase & Co., Boeing Global Services, NTT DATA,
JCPenney, FedEx Office, Frito-Lay, and Capital One; its efforts
have earned the Plano Chamber a five-star accreditation from the
U.S. Chamber of Commerce, placing it among the top one percent of
chambers of commerce in the nation, and the distinguished honor of
being named 2018 Chamber of the Year by the Association of Chamber
of Commerce Executives; the chamber benefits from the dedicated
work of its president and CEO, Kelle Marsalis; and
WHEREAS, The Plano Independent School District is likewise
benefiting the city and area residents, with nearly 7,000 members
of its faculty and staff working to prepare the district's nearly
50,000 students for the challenges and opportunities that lie
ahead; Plano ISD is ably led by superintendent Dr. Theresa Williams
and the seven members of the board of trustees, David Stolle, Nancy
Humphrey, Jeri Chambers, Dr. Lauren Tyra, Angela Powell,
Dr. Heather Wang, and Cody Weaver; the teachers of Plano ISD
average more than 11 years of experience, and 36 percent of them
hold master's degrees or above; nearly 96 percent of Plano ISD
students graduate in four years, and their scores on college
entrance exams continue to exceed those of their peers nationwide;
in addition, 103 Plano ISD seniors were awarded semifinalist
standing in the 2021 National Merit Scholarship Program; the
district is also home to a number of state, national, and
international winners in fine arts, career and technical education,
and science competitions; 13 district Parent Teacher Associations
have been recognized as National PTA Schools of Excellence;
moreover, Plano ISD has been able to shift gears, acquire
materials, train staff, and work with community partners to
continue meeting the diverse and complex needs of students and
families since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic; and
WHEREAS, A true Lone Star success story, Plano is a global
leader where residents are bonded by a shared sense of community and
experience unparalleled quality of life, and the City of Plano, the
Plano Chamber of Commerce, and the Plano Independent School
District are helping to build an even brighter and more prosperous
future for their thriving community; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the 88th Texas Legislature
hereby recognize February 28 and March 1, 2023, as Plano
Legislative Days at the State Capitol and extend to the visiting
delegation sincere best wishes for an informative and enjoyable
stay in Austin.