[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 37 (Tuesday, April 5, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E547]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            CELEBRATING THE TEXAS LYCEUM'S 25TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEVIN BRADY

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, April 5, 2005

  Mr. BRADY of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Texas 
Lyceum on their 25th Anniversary. The Texas Lyceum, a non-profit, non-
partisan organization, is the foremost incubator of leaders in Texas.
  The original Lyceum was a grove of trees in ancient Athens where 
Aristotle educated the leaders of the day on issues critical to the 
time. Key issues were debated and focused through the lens of 
enlightenment and character. So, in 1980 when a group of young leaders 
recently named ``Rising Stars of Texas'' by Texas Business magazine, 
began exploring the idea of establishing a leadership confederation 
based on providing solutions to problems in Texas, Aristotle's Lyceum 
seemed an appropriate model.
  Tieman H. ``Skipper'' Dippel and an impressive group of founders 
including: Bud Shivers, Mike Hopkins, Ann Quirk, Jim Windham, John 
Connally, III, Rob Mosbacher, Ken George, Scott Bennett, and others too 
numerous to mention teamed with Texas Business magazine and George 
Kozmetsky to establish this forum which represents the diversity of the 
state and emphasizes constructive responses to issues critical to 
Texas.
  The Lyceum has always endeavored to bring out the best in people and 
enlighten the next generation to the power of ideas. It teaches leaders 
to focus on where they are alike rather than how they are different 
while still valuing the rich diversity of Texas. To accomplish these 
purposes, the Lyceum conducts quarterly meetings to educate its 
Directors and other policy makers on the important issues of our times 
and sends its members back into the community armed with the most up to 
date information available.
  The Lyceum also publishes the Journal of the Texas Lyceum, a mainstay 
for policymakers looking for insightful and thoughtful solutions. Each 
issue is edited to be in keeping with the Lyceum's philosophy of 
valuing differing opinions from our state's leaders. This document was 
invaluable to me and my colleagues when I served in the Texas 
Legislature.
  Twenty-five years later, the Texas Lyceum boasts over 600 alumni and 
96 current directors. Judging from where Lyceum alumni can now be found 
it is obvious that the Lyceum has successfully met its goal of 
educating the next generation of leaders in Texas. The Lyceum should be 
extremely proud of its accomplishments.
  From the courtroom to the board room, from farms and ranches to the 
world of high tech, from medical centers to the oil fields, from 
education intuitions to houses of worship, and from city councils to 
the halls of Congress and even the White House, Lyceum alumni are woven 
through the leadership structures of the state of Texas and this 
nation. Numerous state legislators, Members of Congress, a sitting U.S. 
Senator, the current Governor and even the current President of the 
United States are all Lyceum Alumni.
  The Texas Lyceum membership reflects the rich diversity of Texas and 
succeeds because it seeks to identify and prominently promote the 
unique values of our state that bring us all together as Texans.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask you to join me in saluting the over 600 men and 
women who have participated in the Texas Lyceum since its inception in 
1980. For a quarter century now the Texas Lyceum has been committed to 
promoting the stewardship of the values, traditions, resources and 
diversity that is Texas.




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