November 2020 Ken Mercer Retirement Resolution

R E S O L U T I O N

WHEREAS Ken Mercer has faithfully served 1.6 million students in 13 counties of the Texas Hill Country- from San Antonio to South Austin since first elected to the State Board of Education in 2006; and

WHEREAS during his tenure, he has served on all the board’s standing committees, including providing leadership as the vice chair of the Committee on Instruction; and vice chair and later chair of the Committee on Planning and, as it is now known, the Committee on School Initiatives; and

WHEREAS Ken Mercer worked diligently to instill American patriotism and the study of the country’s founding fathers in the state’s curriculum standards; and

WHEREAS his love of “faith, family, and freedom” drove many of his decisions as a State Board member and State legislator; and

WHEREAS he has proven to be a passionate, loyal, and fierce protector of the Permanent School Fund; and

WHEREAS he has also shown his tender side, often being the first person to break into a round of “Happy Birthday” when celebrating a board member or staff member; and

WHEREAS Ken Mercer often broke the tension of intense debates by quietly asking those around him, “Are we having fun yet?” and now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the State Board of Education wishes Ken Mercer the fun and satisfaction of a well-deserved retirement and thanks him for his service on the board; and be it further

RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Ken Mercer and that a copy be included in the permanent records of the State Board of Education.

WITNESS our signatures this twentieth day of November, two thousand and twenty, in Austin, Texas.

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Keven Ellis, Chair

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Georgina C. Pérez, Secretary