[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 129 (Wednesday, November 15, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2042-E2043]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO DR. ROBERT HUNTER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. HENRY CUELLAR

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 15, 2006

  Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. Robert Hunter, 
who has served for twenty years in the Texas State House of 
Representatives, and his dedication to the City of Abilene, Abilene 
Christian University, and the Independent Colleges and Universities of 
Texas.
  Robert Hunter was born in 1928 in Dodge City in Kansas, as the tenth 
child of twelve children. He enrolled at Abilene Christian College 
after graduating from San Mateo High School in California in 1948. 
Shortly after graduation from college, he married his wife, Shirley 
Long of Austin, in Thailand, and served in the United States Navy as 
Security Aide to two admirals in the South Pacific and in Washington, 
D.C., from 1952 to 1955. Hunter then accepted the invitation of Abilene 
Christian College President Don H. Morris to become director of special 
events. There, at his alma mater, he quickly moved up the academic 
ladder to become the Executive Vice President of the Independent 
Colleges and Universities of Texas. During his work with the 
Independent Colleges and Universities of Texas, he coordinated the 
passage of the Texas Tuition Equalization Grant (TEG) program, which 
helped Texas students attend private colleges and universities in the 
State of Texas.
  In 1970, Hunter served on the City Council in the City of Abilene, 
and thus began his passion for civic service in which he ran for the 
Texas State House of Representatives in 1986, won the seat to this day 
which he has remained a wonderful voice for his constituents and for 
the State of Texas. In the Texas House of Representatives, Hunter 
chaired the House Committee on International and Cultural Relations, 
and is currently vice-chairman of the Regulated Industries Committee 
and serves on the Government Reform Committee. He also serves on 
committees for several national legislative organizations.
  In 2006, Hunter will have completed his tenth term as State 
Representative, with more than $1 billion appropriated for the Texas 
Tuition Equalization Grant (TEG) program, and more than fifty years of 
service with the Abilene Christian University.
  Mr. Speaker, I am honored to have had this time to recognize the 
passion Dr. Bob Hunter has in serving as State Representative for the 
State of Texas, and his wonderful commitment to higher education for 
Texas students.

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