| |
| |
|
|
R E S O L U T I O N
|
|
|
WHEREAS, The Honorable Jim Keffer concluded his noteworthy |
|
|
tenure as the representative for Texas House District 60 in January |
|
|
2017, after 10 consecutive terms in office; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, First elected in 1996, Representative Keffer |
|
|
demonstrated a lasting commitment to lowering taxes and eliminating |
|
|
debt; he coauthored the Texas Taxpayer Appraisal Bill of Rights, |
|
|
which created the state's first appraisal cap on homeowner property |
|
|
taxes, and in 1997, 1999, and 2007, he authored three of the largest |
|
|
tax cuts in Texas history; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, Representative Keffer also earned a reputation as a |
|
|
powerful advocate for rural communities, and he led efforts to |
|
|
reform the education system, eliminate Medicaid fraud, and provide |
|
|
additional financial security for retired teachers; as chair of the |
|
|
Natural Resources Committee, he played a key role in the passage of |
|
|
historic legislation to fund the State Water Plan, and he served |
|
|
three terms as chair of the Energy Resources Committee; moreover, |
|
|
he chaired the Ways and Means Committee and the Select Committee on |
|
|
Property Tax Relief, and he served as both chair and vice chair of |
|
|
the Economic Development Committee and as a member of numerous |
|
|
other committees, including Business and Industry, Redistricting, |
|
|
and Pensions and Investments; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, In 2011, Representative Keffer was named one of the |
|
|
state's best legislators by Texas Monthly magazine, and he was |
|
|
selected as one of the top five legislators by Gallery Watch; in |
|
|
addition, he garnered such prestigious accolades as the Golden |
|
|
Flame Award from the Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers |
|
|
Association of Texas and the Chairman's Circle Award from the |
|
|
Republican Party of Texas; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, A graduate of Texas Tech University, Representative |
|
|
Keffer is the president of EBAA Iron Sales; his return to private |
|
|
life allows him to spend more time with his wife of 40 years, |
|
|
Leslie, and a treasured family that includes three sons and two |
|
|
grandchildren; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, Throughout his two decades in office, Jim Keffer |
|
|
represented his constituents with vision, skill, and dedication, |
|
|
and his lasting contributions to the Lone Star State have earned the |
|
|
deep respect and appreciation of all Texans; now, therefore, be it |
|
|
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas |
|
|
Legislature hereby commend the Honorable Jim Keffer for his |
|
|
outstanding service as a member of the Texas Legislature 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 Representative Keffer as an expression of high regard |
|
|
by the Texas House of Representatives. |