[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 58 (Wednesday, April 9, 2014)]
[House]
[Pages H3127-H3133]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 A TRIBUTE TO THE CAREER OF KENT HANCE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of 
January 3, 2013, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Neugebauer) is 
recognized for 60 minutes as the designee of the majority leader.


                             General Leave

  Mr. NEUGEBAUER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and 
include extraneous material on the subject of my Special Order.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Texas?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. NEUGEBAUER. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor for me to rise tonight to 
recognize a great friend and great public servant and a great 
chancellor at Texas Tech University.
  When Chancellor Hance was first appointed to be the third chancellor 
of Texas Tech University, his motto was ``Dream no little dreams.'' I 
think this is a perfect motto for the chancellor to use because that 
really expresses the way he has lived his life.
  Kent Hance was born to Raymond and Beral Cole Hance on November 14, 
1942, in the great city of Dimmitt, Texas, which is in my congressional 
district, a town known for grit and determination, which clearly was 
passed along to Hance.
  He enrolled in Texas Tech University in 1961 and joined the 
fraternity Delta Tau Delta, where he often mentioned that he became 
friends with a guy named John Deutschendorf, who later became a guy by 
the name of John Denver.
  Now, I think, sometimes, Kent Hance claims that he helped John Denver 
with some of his material, but we have not been able to actually verify 
that.
  Hance graduated from Texas Tech in 1965 with a business degree, and 
despite his better judgment, he entered law school at the University of 
Texas. While he was at that school, they named him president of the 
Student Bar Association and, of course, in the true Red Raider spirit.
  After graduating with his law degree, he returned to west Texas to 
practice law and teach business law at Texas Tech. While teaching, 
undoubtedly, the most momentous meeting in his career was when he had 
this student by the name of Randy Neugebauer in his business law class.
  Now, what was kind of unique about that class, with Professor Hance 
and his student Randy Neugebauer, was that little did either one of us 
know that both of us would go on to be congressmen for the 19th 
District of Texas.
  In 1974, Kent Hance decided to run for the Texas Senate and won in 
that west Texas seat. He served in the senate from 1974 through 1978, 
when he decided to run for Congress for the 19th Congressional 
District.

                              {time}  1815

  Interestingly enough, in that race, he defeated a young man in 
Midland, Texas, by the name of George W. Bush. Many of us know that he 
became the future President of the United States.
  One of the things that President Bush would occasionally say is that, 
Mr. Hance and I accomplished something he was not able to accomplish, 
and that was being elected to Congress, but then he would smile and 
say, but I guess it worked out, and it work out indeed.
  While serving the House of Representatives from 1979 to 1985, he was 
known for his conservative voting record and was a member of the Boll 
Weevil Conservatives. Congressman Hance became one of President 
Reagan's closest allies when he was working on his 1981 tax package. In 
1984, Hance decided to run for the Senate in Texas, a seat that 
ultimately was won by Phil Gramm.
  In 1987, Texas Governor Bill Clements appointed Hance to a vacancy on 
the Texas Railroad Commission. Upon doing so, he became the first 
Republican to ever serve on the railroad commission in Texas.
  Due to his successes on the commission, he was reelected in 1988, and 
in 1989, he was elected chairman of the railroad commission. After 
stepping down in 1990 from his commission, he continued to practice 
law. In 2006, Kent Hance was chosen to become the third chancellor of 
the Texas Tech University System.
  When appointed to the position of chancellor to begin implementing 
the motto, as I mentioned earlier, ``Dream no little dreams,'' and no 
little dreams did Kent Hance have for Texas Tech University. He said 
that he was going to raise a billion dollars and began a fundraising 
campaign to do that, the largest one in the school's history.
  Additionally, Hance decided to grow the university to 40,000 students 
by 2020 to meet the demands of a growing State. Not only has his 
fundraising campaign exceeded a billion dollar mark, but under his 
leadership, Chancellor Hance has grown the university system and about 
doubled it by adding Angelo State and the Texas Tech University Health 
Sciences Center at El Paso.
  Texas Tech University, the flagship institution of the Texas Tech 
system, has also increased in the number of degrees by 46 percent 
between 2006 and 2012 and added a chapter of the prestigious Phi Beta 
Kappa to the campus. All together, it is quite easy to see why in 1985, 
even though Kent Hance had not accomplished all of this, that people 
recognized early his talents and named him Distinguished Alumni of 
Texas Tech.
  On October 11, 2013, unfortunately, Kent Hance announced that he 
would be stepping down as chancellor. While Texas Tech and west Texas 
would be losing one of its best advocates, we are extremely grateful 
for the services that he offered as he served and will continue to 
serve as chairman emeritus. Future students of Texas Tech will also 
benefit from his decisions to continue teaching his seminar classes on 
leadership.
  Before handing over the floor to some of my colleagues who would like 
to say some things about Chancellor Hance, I wanted to read a quick 
quote from President George W. Bush. Upon his announcement for 
retirement, George Bush was quoted saying:

       Texas Tech was fortunate to have Kent in a leadership 
     position. He loves the Red Raiders and he leaves behind a 
     better university, and I wish all the best to my friend.

  Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hall).
  Mr. HALL. Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of my dear friend and former 
colleague Kent Hance, a man who spent his life in public service for 
the benefit of Texas, our country, and certainly for 8 years at the 
Texas Tech University

[[Page H3128]]

System, where he currently serves as chancellor.
  I am especially proud to speak for Kent. He was and is a very 
successful attorney; he was a great member of the Texas Senate; he was 
a real leader in the United States Congress; and, important to me, he 
is and was and will always be a super friend.
  Kent and I served in the Texas State Senate at different times so our 
paths did not cross until I was first elected to Congress, where he was 
already serving as Congressman for the 19th District of Texas.
  We are both conservatives, and we worked together with President 
Reagan to carry out his tax cut in 1981, along with other conservative 
thrusts.
  Tonight, we recognized Kent for his efforts on behalf of Texas 
education. For the last 8 years, Kent has served his alma mater, Texas 
Tech University, and he certainly has worked with the school to make 
tremendous strides in furthering the prestigious school's advances for 
students.
  During his time as chancellor, Texas Tech has far surpassed previous 
fundraising goals and enrollment records at all four institutions. Kent 
has also worked to put Texas Tech on track to becoming a tier one 
research institution. I was also pleased to support the legislation 
that spawned the law school at Texas Tech.
  I come from a family of teachers and value quality education for our 
Nation's students, as I know Kent does. Education is directly tied to 
our children's future opportunities as well American innovation and 
competitiveness. That is why we look for leaders like Kent Hance who 
will work tirelessly to ensure that students receive the best education 
possible, because I agree, as he agrees, that children are 25 percent 
of our population and 100 percent of our future.
  I thank Kent for his friendship and for his service to our great 
State of Texas and our country. I congratulate him on his success as 
chancellor for Texas Tech University System. And I wish him all the 
very best in his future endeavors.
  Mr. NEUGEBAUER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman.
  I now will yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Barton).
  (Mr. BARTON asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. BARTON. Mr. Speaker, we are here to honor a Texas legend in his 
own time, the Honorable Kent Hance of Dimmitt, Texas, some of us Aggies 
would put an ``a'' instead of an ``i.'' But Kent was born in west Texas 
and he, as has already been pointed out, got elected to the Texas 
Senate at a very young age. Then I got elected to the House of 
Representatives in 1978, along with such stalwarts as Phil Gramm of 
College Station. I think Charlie Stenholm was already here. Ralph Hall 
came a little bit later. Marvin Leath of Waco came a little bit later.
  He became what was known as a Boll Weevil Democrat. When Ronald 
Reagan got elected, President Reagan called a number of the Boll 
Weevils to the White House and asked if they would support his economic 
plan, but he only asked one to carry the Reagan tax cut which really 
began the renaissance of America, and that young man was Congressman 
Kent Hance of the 19th Congressional District. He was on the Ways and 
Means Committee as a Democrat. He carried the Reagan tax cut in the 
Ways and Means Committee and prevailed. I would assume the chairman 
then was Dan Rostenkowski. I am not sure, but I think that's right.
  Well, in 1984, he decided to go back to Texas. He relinquished his 
seat and Larry Combest replaced him, and five other young Texans came 
in as part of the Texas Six Pack: Dick Armey, Joe Barton, Larry 
Combest, Beau Boulter, I believe, and Mac Sweeney. He switched parties, 
became a Republican, and got appointed to the railroad commission. He 
was the first Republican to be named chairman of the railroad 
commission.

  He did run for Governor a time or two in that time span and did not 
have the same luck for Governor. He went into the private sector, 
became a consultant and an attorney and helped me politically on a 
number of issues, then, as has been pointed out, became chancellor of 
Texas Tech. And the students hardly know what a chancellor is, most 
universities not only know Ken Hance, they affectionately call him the 
``Hancellor'' at Texas Tech.
  The thing that impresses me the most about Kent is that, when people 
are in elected office and we are successful, we have lots of friends, 
and they call us and pat us on the back and offer to do things and help 
us and support us. When we lose or are not successful, normally the 
only people that try to raise our spirits are our family and sometimes 
people that we owe money to.
  On one particular occasion, I had had a political setback and I was 
really down and I was kind of moping around my house in Ennis, Texas. 
And one morning about, I want to say, 9:30, my cell phone rang and it 
was Kent Hance, and I will never forget that.
  So we're here to honor you for your public service, but I am also 
here to thank you for your personal friendship. You are a great man. I 
wish you well, and I hope you stay involved in the public sector, 
because people of your caliber are in short supply and are always 
needed.
  God bless you and God bless your family.
  Mr. NEUGEBAUER. I thank the gentleman.
  I think what the gentleman said about Mr. Hance was he dedicated 
himself to a life of public service and education. I think when you ask 
people, Kent Hance was always available to be your friend, and I think 
that is a unique characteristic for someone who led a very busy 
schedule like that. He'd always take time out to be a good friend to 
folks.
  Mr. Speaker, now I will yield to a gentleman from Texas (Mr. Smith).
  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, it is nice to have our friend and 
former Member of the House down here on the floor with us tonight, Kent 
Hance.
  Well, today we honor Texas Tech University Chancellor Kent Hance, who 
is about to enjoy a well-earned retirement. He has served as chancellor 
for over 7 years.
  Texas Tech is the only campus in Texas that is home to a major 
university, a law school, and a medical school. The university 
continues to expand to other parts of Texas outside Lubbock. For 
example, there is a satellite campus in my home district in the town of 
Fredericksburg.
  Under Kent Hance's tenure, Texas Tech set new student enrollment 
records and research expenditures have almost tripled. It so happens 
that I have more Red Raiders in my D.C. office than graduates of any 
other college, so I know the quality of students who come from Texas 
Tech.
  Fortunately for Tech, Chancellor Hance will not be far away. He will 
continue to serve as chancellor emeritus of the university and teach a 
course in political leadership--no surprise there.
  This should not come as a great surprise since Kent Hance has loved 
the university ever since he set foot on its campus as a student in 
1961. Chancellor Hance likes to say, ``Dream no little dreams.'' His 
leadership in turning Texas Tech into one of the top higher learning 
institutions in America reflects that motto.
  Thank you, Chancellor Hance, for all you have done for Texas Tech 
University and all you have done for the great State of Texas.
  Mr. NEUGEBAUER. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. 
Conaway.)
  (Mr. CONAWAY asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. CONAWAY. Mr. Speaker, Kent Hance was headed for a life of crime 
and waywardness before he attended Texas Tech University. Texas Tech 
would not be where it is today without Kent Hance, but Chancellor Hance 
wouldn't be who he is today without having attended Texas Tech in 1961.
  A storied career as a political servant, one of Kent Hance's 
political accomplishments, as it has been said, was that he was the 
only person to defeat President George W. Bush in an election. He won 
Texas' 19th Congressional District seat with his folksy humor, quick 
wit, and good old-fashioned hard work. Kent Hance once remarked that 
had President Bush defeated him in that congressional race, Bush would 
have wound up as chairman of the House Agriculture Committee instead of 
Governor and President of the United States.

[[Page H3129]]

  Everyone has a Kent Hance story. Some of us have even been the 
victims of his punch line. But his ability to weave experiences, real 
and imagined, to make a point or disarm an opponent, is legendary.
  Kent Hance has been known as many things--an attorney, a professor, a 
State senator, a railroad commissioner, a Congressman, and friend--but 
I believe his best role has been as chancellor of Texas Tech 
University.
  We thank you for your service at Texas and our Nation. Your 
leadership and legacy will shine bright for years to come. And I wish 
Kent Hance and his family Godspeed in the next chapters of their lives.
  Mr. NEUGEBAUER. I yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Olson).

                              {time}  1830

  Mr. OLSON. I thank my colleague from Lubbock for hosting this Special 
Order to celebrate another Texan from Lubbock, our good friend, Kent 
Hance. Kent and I became friends in 1998. I was working at the time for 
United States Senator Phil Gramm.
  My friends have talked about Kent's achievements. I plan to be like 
the Wizard of Oz and pull back the curtain and show the real Kent 
Hance.
  The real Kent Hance joined us on November 14, 1942, in Dimmitt, 
Texas. He is now 71 years young.
  Before Kent was born, Dimmitt had grown from J.W. Carter's Hotel, 
Miss Lou Belsher's School, and Uncle Buck Tate's Lumber and Wagon Yard 
to the county seat of Castro County with a population of 943. Kent went 
to Dimmitt High School, graduating in 1961. Dimmitt High School has two 
mascots--the Bobcats for the boys and the Bobbies for the girls.
  Kent and his best buddy, Spider, spent a lot of time at the Carlile 
Theater trying to find the love of their lives. Spider found his love 
in Corpus Christi, Texas, and Kent sought optimism from Spider's dad. 
Movies, charm, and yes, a 1970 Camaro couldn't get the job done. 
Nothing happened in Dimmitt.
  Kent met his true love, Susie, and they both were lawyers. They 
worked hard and they played hard, and they loved races at the track. 
After 1 hard week of working hard and playing hard, they popped down to 
El Paso, Texas, and crossed the river into Juarez to go to races at the 
track. The cab driver had very poor English and took them to a very 
special track--monkey jockeys riding greyhounds. Kent learned two 
things that night: Susie will follow him anywhere in the world; and he 
needed to learn more Spanish, especially the word ``horse'' in Spanish.
  One more personal story about Kent Hance. We spent 24 hours together 
on an aircraft carrier underway. To come aboard a carrier, you fly a 
very different approach--a controlled crash. There are wires across the 
back of the deck which hook onto the aircraft to catch it. The plane 
goes to full power before it is hooked. To take off, you have a 
catapult shot, zero to 140 miles in 300 feet. I have never heard a 
human being scream so loudly with terror and joy than Kent Hance on 
that aircraft.
  I will close by talking about Kent's tenure at Texas Tech University, 
the institute that gave him his education and his love of life in the 
business world. Because of Kent Hance, Texas Tech has a medical school 
in El Paso, Texas. Kent chased this down doggedly, getting a big 
donation, $50 million from alumni, to make this dream happen. Red 
Raider Nation is thrilled to have this building on campus, the Kent 
Hance Chapel. It gives students a place when they are struggling, a 
place of peace, a place of prayer, and a place to have a wedding after 
they leave Texas Tech.
  As Kent leaves Texas Tech behind, some are already talking about is 
he the greatest chancellor we have ever had. To paraphrase Bum 
Phillips: Kent Hance may not be in a class by himself, but whatever 
class he is in, it don't take long to call the roll.
  Kent, my friend, as you move on to your next challenge, you have my 
best. It is not very good, but it is my best. God bless you.
  Mr. NEUGEBAUER. I thank the gentleman for bringing up a point. While 
Chancellor Hance was out raising all of this money for the university, 
over a billion dollars, I think it exemplifies who Kent Hance is. He 
put his money up, too, contributing and building that chapel. Whereas 
the gentleman mentioned that a lot of weddings have been held, but 
students also go over there and spend time for prayer, and I think that 
says a lot about the character of the man we honor today.
  It is now my pleasure to yield to the gentleman from New Mexico (Mr. 
Pearce), my neighbor to the west.
  Mr. PEARCE. I thank the gentleman from Lubbock for yielding.
  Many would ask: What does a former Representative from Texas have to 
do with New Mexico? Well, New Mexico's Second District is bordered on 
two sides by Texas. In those days growing up 3 miles from Texas, often 
we New Mexico guys slid across the State line in the middle of the 
night. We found things to entertain us there, and we would be back home 
by daylight. So west Texas and eastern New Mexico have a lot in common.
  I had an opportunity to meet Mr. Hance when he was in Congress. I was 
flying as the corporate pilot for the Congressman from the Second 
District of New Mexico, at that time a gentleman named Mud Runnels, and 
during that association, I had the opportunity to meet the Congressman 
from Lubbock. I started watching him from a distance there. Many people 
are going to recount the good things, the titles and positions that he 
has had, but I would like to recount as someone watching Kent Hance 
from a distance as he made his way through Congress and later became 
chancellor of Texas Tech, a university that is host to many students 
from New Mexico. Watching from a distance, I can say that Mr. Hance did 
the things that all leaders are called to do. He served with honor and 
distinction, but he made tough choices when they were called for.
  A couple of years ago, a high-profile employee of Texas Tech needed 
the firm hand of discipline on his shoulder, and Kent Hance made the 
tough calls. Texas Tech has been better off because he was there as a 
strong person in times when they needed strong leadership.
  So again, from the New Mexico side of the border, we would like to 
say thank you for guiding an institution that has been home to so many 
New Mexicans. Thank you for your distinguished service, your commitment 
to principle and honor and duty. We all from New Mexico say God bless 
you, Godspeed to you, and thanks for your years of service.
  Mr. NEUGEBAUER. I thank the gentleman, and I now yield to the 
gentleman from Dallas, Texas (Mr. Sessions).
  Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Neugebauer, thank you for inviting the Texas 
delegation and our friends from New Mexico to come and honor our dear 
friend, Kent Hance, tonight.
  Kent Hance, as you have heard the stories, he is not just a living 
legend, he is a man who served not just the State of Texas but our 
great Nation with honor and distinction. Kent Hance, as chancellor of 
Texas Tech, has done the same thing for thousands of young people who 
came not only to Texas Tech in Lubbock, Texas, for a great education, 
he helped make their experiences and their education even better.
  As Randy Neugebauer knows as the Member of Congress from the 19th 
Congressional District of Texas, the high plains of Texas offers a 
unique opportunity not only for the kind of people who live there, the 
kinds of circumstances as God rolls thunder and sandstorms and 
rainstorms across Texas, but it provides the kind of unique experiences 
that people who live there love it. They love where they are from, and 
it builds the kind of person who has spirit and opportunity, but who 
sees themselves not just as a proud Texan but as an American, and Kent 
Hance truly has lived up to that.
  There has been a discussion tonight about Susie, Kent's beloved 
Susie, this beautiful young woman who, albeit from Dallas, Texas, who 
was stolen away by the marauding Kent Hance and taken up to Lubbock, 
Texas; and we still miss Susie as she lives in Lubbock and enjoys her 
life there with the girls. But I want you to know, Mr. Speaker, that 
tonight the Texas delegation and so many others are here on the floor 
to talk about the life and times of a young man who came to Congress, 
who served the State of Texas, his Nation, and has now served

[[Page H3130]]

in providing education that is superior second to none, building not 
just a medical school that is second to none, but a law school and an 
undergraduate degree, engineering and other areas that have made Texas 
Tech not just on the map literally, but has made it better because of 
his personal commitment to excellence.

  So I want to join the Texas delegation and Chairman Neugebauer 
tonight as we give a big Texas salute and a thank-you to the gentleman 
from Lubbock, Texas, the gentleman Kent Hance.
  Mr. NEUGEBAUER. I thank the gentleman, and I yield to another 
gentleman from Texas, Mr. Stockman.
  Mr. STOCKMAN. I have to tell you, when I first got elected, it was 
none other than Kent Hance who came down. I was a young guy, and he 
gave me a lot of advice, but I knew him before he knew me because 
Ronald Reagan was in trouble, and Kent Hance stepped forward against a 
lot of his party's wishes and took the bull by the horns and really 
changed the United States, which is amazing. But one of the things 
that, Kent, you have always done is you have reached out to me when you 
didn't have to.
  But the most important thing is that you have your birthday on the 
proper day, November 14, which is also my birthday.
  Everybody talked about you raising a billion dollars, but the thing 
that I liked the most is you ran and beat somebody, and that person you 
beat was none other than the next President of the United States, 
George Bush. And yet you reached across after you beat George Bush, you 
became his number one fan. I am just amazed, and I wish we could do 
this more often where we reach across the aisle and demonstrate love 
beyond partisanship. That, to me, is what speaks volumes about you.
  And what also touches my heart is that you are Texas. I mean, when 
you think about your life story, I don't know if you are going to write 
a book, if you have written a book, you need to write a book. We have 
mutual friends, and I hear your story is phenomenal.
  The one thing I do ask, and you have always been very gracious to me, 
but you have to teach me how to raise money, because you raised a 
billion dollars. That is phenomenal. And you did it for good causes.
  I think I had a dream once that you are going to give me $250 
million. A mutual friend of ours in Dallas told me that story. You 
called him up and you said you had a dream, and I thought that was the 
cleverest thing to do.
  Again, I want to express my friendship to you and how much you have 
helped me throughout the years. You have been very gracious to me. I 
thank you.
  Mr. NEUGEBAUER. I thank the gentleman. Now another great Texan, I 
yield to Dr. Burgess from Dallas.
  Mr. BURGESS. I thank the gentleman for the recognition, and I am 
pleased to come to the floor of the House tonight to offer my 
congratulations to a great Texan, chancellor of Texas Tech University 
and former Member of Congress and former State senator.
  I have had the good fortune to know Mr. Hance since I arrived here, 
and I know firsthand of his commitment to education. And the reason I 
know this is there is hardly a semester that goes by that I don't have 
at least one Tech intern working in my office.
  Mr. Hance understands the value of education for young people, and he 
also understands the value of placing them in situations where they may 
have an opportunity to do something that they would probably never have 
an opportunity to do again, working with a Member of Congress' office. 
Yes, sometimes it is unglamorous, sorting mail or helping organize 
letters for a reply, but sometimes going to a congressional hearing, 
sometimes going to a congressional hearing that is of significant 
importance. Certainly I want to thank Kent for always having the 
foresight to have your students in the offices here in the capital of 
the United States because I think it makes a big difference not just to 
us, not just to Texas Tech, but it makes a big difference to Texas and 
the Nation.
  On a personal note, I want to acknowledge that I was not someone who 
was in political life all my life. I ran a medical practice for a 
number of years, and then rather unexpectedly won a race for Congress. 
Shortly after winning the nomination prior to the fall election, Mr. 
Hance and I crossed paths, and he has provided me life counsel and 
guidance from time to time. Of that I am certainly appreciative.

                              {time}  1845

  The one thing I will never forget--I don't even remember the trouble 
that was going on here in Washington, but it was something and it 
affected a lot of us and it affected a lot of us personally--I woke up 
one morning and there was a letter to the editor of The Dallas Morning 
News from Ken Hance thanking me for my service. It certainly got my 
attention that day and it certainly lifted by spirits. Whenever I get 
down with the things that are going on here in Washington, I think back 
to that day when Ken Hance reached out a hand and helped lift me up, 
and hope I have been able to return the favor to others along the way. 
Mr. Hance, you have certainly showed me the way, and I am grateful, 
again, for your wise counsel and leadership through the years.
  Mr. NEUGEBAUER. I thank the gentleman.
  Mr. Speaker, one of the things about this evening, we had some other 
Members that were planning to be here tonight to honor the chancellor. 
But, as you know, there was a memorial service in Texas at Fort Hood 
today, so some of our Members have flown to Texas to participate in 
that. I have letters from some of those folks, and remarks, that I want 
to enter for the Record.
  I have a very special letter here from the Speaker of the House, 
which I am going to put a part of in the Record. I won't read the whole 
letter. It is a very nice letter. It talks about all the many 
accomplishments of Chancellor Hance and his service here in Congress.
  He closes that letter by saying:

       Congratulations to Chancellor Hance as he moves on to a new 
     chapter. I thank him for his leadership, his vision, and his 
     lifetime of public service.

  Here is another letter from the Governor of the State of Texas, Rick 
Perry, and I quote part of that. He says:

       It is my pleasure to join your friends and colleagues in 
     recognizing the remarkable job you have done as a leader of 
     the Texas Tech University system.
       You have presided over an incredible era for the Texas Tech 
     system, highlighted by profound growth and positive change. 
     With the addition of Angelo State University and the creation 
     of the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center--El Paso, 
     the system has literally doubled in size since 2007. 
     Enrollment has also increased dramatically, and students are 
     graduating and joining the workforce at a faster rate, too. 
     Nearly 10,000 degrees were earned in 2012, almost double the 
     number that were awarded a decade ago.
       Many students have passed through Texas Tech's institutions 
     during your tenure. These men and women will make incredible 
     contributions to our communities, to our State, and to our 
     Nation; some of them probably already have. You have 
     furthered both individual success and collective 
     achievement--and it is quite a legacy.
       Anita and I thank you for your service to the State of 
     Texas and wish you an enjoyable, fulfilling retirement.
       Governor Rick Perry

  Randy Sanders, who is a former editor at the Lubbock Avalanche-
Journal in Lubbock, wrote these remarks:

       During the 6 years that I was editor of the Lubbock 
     Avalanche-Journal I would frequently call Hance when I was in 
     the dilemma about an important editorial decision. Many times 
     without taking a breath he would tell me: Well, let me tell 
     you what I would do if I were in your shoes. Every time I 
     would follow his advice and our editorial position would be 
     spot on.
       No one knows west Texas and west Texans better than Ken 
     Hance. He knows how to cut to the chase and develop a plan 
     that will serve west Texas and its citizens in the most 
     beneficial possible manner.

  One of the regents at Texas Tech, Regent Tim Lancaster, writes:

       No matter where you start, how you prioritize, or how 
     inclusive you become in including the vast number of 
     accomplishments of Kent Hance, it has been a great and 
     impactful career. There are few people that can be included 
     in the same category as Kent Hance. Unfortunately, 
     individuals like Kent do not come along often enough.
       What a pleasure it has been for me to get to know and 
     observe the impact of this great man.

  One of our Senators, Senator John Cornyn, says this about Ken Hance:

       I send my greetings and best wishes on the occasion of your 
     retirement as chancellor after more than 8 years with Texas 
     Tech University.

[[Page H3131]]

       From your early career in the Texas senate, three terms in 
     the U.S. Congress, chairmanship of the Texas Railroad 
     Commission, and your current role as chancellor, you have 
     dedicated your life and service to the betterment of Texas 
     and its citizens. Your energy and experience have been an 
     important force in ensuring access to quality higher 
     education and expansion of research and innovation in Texas.

  Our other Senator, Mr. Cruz, says:

       On behalf of a grateful State, thank you for your service 
     to the great State of Texas and Texas Tech University. As a 
     native of Dimmitt, your west Texas roots, strong moral 
     character, and entrepreneurial spirit have created a legacy 
     that will not soon be forgotten.

  The mayor of Lubbock writes:

       On behalf of the city of Lubbock, let me offer my 
     congratulations on your retirement as chancellor, and thank 
     you for your service to west Texas, Lubbock, and Texas Tech.
       Your love and dedication to Texas Tech has brought the 
     university to new heights. From your graduation in 1965 to 
     leading the way in raising over $1 billion, the time you have 
     spent at Tech has left a lasting impression on the 
     university. You strengthened ties between Texas Tech and the 
     city of Lubbock, and your efforts to increase enrollment have 
     led to new students and families now calling Lubbock home.
       You are a true servant of the State, having served as a 
     Texas senator, U.S. Congressman, and chairman of the Texas 
     Railroad Commission. Thank you for the years of service you 
     dedicated to making Lubbock and west Texas a better place to 
     live.

  Congressman Roger Williams is one of the Members that I mentioned who 
said he was originally going to be here, wanted to be here, is a good 
friend of Chancellor Hance, but he went down to be at the memorial 
service today at Fort Hood. He says:

       Today I rise to recognize a good friend of mine, a great 
     friend of Texas, and one of the finest examples of public 
     servant, Texas Tech University System Chancellor Ken Hance.
       In his nearly 8 years as head of Texas Tech, Chancellor 
     Hance has become a staple in the community and beloved figure 
     on the campus. Famous for knowing every Texas mascot, a trait 
     that he and I share, students are often greeted by him with a 
     fist bump and a quiz on high school mascots while on their 
     way to class. From Itasca Wampus Cats to the Hamlin Pied 
     Pipers, there is not a student on campus he hasn't won over 
     with his down-to-Earth demeanor and palpable dedication to 
     the students.
       His quit wit, famous stories, and steadfast dedication to 
     his alma mater will certainly be missed upon his retirement.
       I wish my friend Ken Hance the best of luck in his next 
     endeavor and thank him for his tremendous legacy he is still 
     creating. From his early days in Texas politics to his 
     service in the U.S. Congress to a successful law firm, 
     Chancellor Hance makes a difference everywhere he goes. He 
     lives by his own motto: Dream no little dreams, and I look 
     forward to seeing what his dreams have in store for him 
     next.

  Another Member that went down to the Fort Hood memorial service was 
Congressman John Carter. He says:

       Mr. Speaker, today I would like to honor the distinguished 
     career of Texas Tech University Chancellor Kent Hance. With 
     his retirement approaching, he will soon close his incredible 
     service to my alma mater and begin the next chapter of his 
     life.
       Congressman Carter is a Red Raider.
       Chancellor Hance's dedication to public service began in 
     politics with stints in the Texas senate, house, U.S. 
     Congress, and eventually serving as chairman of the Texas 
     Railroad Commission.
       Since becoming chancellor in 2006, he has made incredible 
     achievements at Texas Tech and the university continues to 
     thrive because of the impacts he has made.
       Retirement is to be celebrated and enjoyed. It's not the 
     end of a career but rather the beginning of a new adventure. 
     I speak for myself, as well as all of the Red Raider family, 
     when I say Chancellor Hance's unconditional love for Texas 
     Tech combined with his exceptional leadership leaves behind a 
     legacy that will never be forgotten. I commend him for his 
     dedication to Texas Tech and wish him the best in the years 
     ahead.

  One of the things is that Chancellor Hance is very hands-on and he 
gets involved with the students at Texas Tech. He greets them one-on-
one and, in fact, teaches a leadership class there. So I think it is 
kind of fitting we asked some of the students that had known the 
chancellor. These are the people that he is working for and worked 
tirelessly for.
  John Esparza, who is a Texas Tech Board of Regents 1997 graduate, 
said:

       Let it be said that Chancellor Kent Hance has a deep and 
     abiding love for the institution he has devoted the last 8 
     years of his life to. In reality, Chancellor Hance has given 
     so much more than just those 8 years. Those who know him know 
     his love affair with Texas Tech University began shortly 
     after his parents dropped him off there in 1961. Since that 
     time he has served his family and his constituents with 
     honor, going all the way back to the late 1970s, when he 
     served in this hallowed body.
       As he is well known for saying to freshmen during their 
     orientation, and to seniors at their graduation, ``I love 
     Texas Tech.''
       And truly Ken Hance loves Texas Tech.

  I wanted to read a few quotes from Stephanie Addison, who interned in 
our office and works now in the chancellor's office. She says this 
about Chancellor Hance:

       Chancellor Hance is dedicated to excellence in every area 
     of his life. His enthusiasm is very evident in the impact 
     that he has left on Texas Tech University, as well as 
     everyone he meets. His passion for investing in the students 
     and the alumni is second to none. It is hard to imagine Texas 
     Tech without the chancellor. It has been a pleasure serving 
     his office as student assistant, and I will carry this 
     experience with me the rest of our lives.

  Pat Campbell said:

       You can easily judge the character of a man by how he 
     treats those who can do nothing for him. Chancellor Hance 
     definitely goes above and beyond the call of duty as an 
     administrator, and I am proud to call him a friend. When 
     Chancellor Hance says he loves Texas Tech, he truly means it.

  Lee Bobbitt, a former Student Government Association president at 
Texas Tech, writes this:

       He had high expectations, not just for himself but all 
     those who worked around him. In his time at Texas Tech, he 
     devoted himself to improving the university, and through his 
     work taught me and many others to be servant leaders, to be 
     good listeners, and, more importantly, how to connect with 
     people through the fine art of storytelling. Ken Hance is one 
     of a kind, and I am lucky to have called him mentor and 
     friend.

  Mr. Speaker, I have many other letters here in testimony, which we 
will be glad to enter into the Record.
  We have talked about Chancellor Hance as a former Member of Congress, 
a former State senator, and a former railroad commissioner. In his life 
of public service, obviously, he dreamed no little dream.
  But just for a minute, I would like to talk about the Ken Hance that 
I know. It is not the one that I call chancellor; it is the Ken Hance 
that I call friend.
  Over the years, Kent and I have had an opportunity to mentor and to 
talk to each other, and I consider his advice to be a treasure in my 
life. I can always call him up when there is an issue or something that 
I want to get his reflection on. He is always quick to take my call.
  But it is not just what Ken Hance says. I think what we have heard 
tonight and what we have seen tonight, it is about how he lived his 
life. A lot of people out in west Texas, we say some people talk the 
talk, but some people that you really pay attention to are the people 
that walk the walk. What I would say about my friend Ken Hance is he 
dreamed no little dream, and he walked the walk. So it has been my 
pleasure tonight to recognize a good friend, a great American, a great 
Texan and a great Red Raider--go Tech.
  With that, Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.


                  RECOGNIZING THE HONORABLE KENT HANCE

       Mr. BOEHNER. Mr. Speaker, my colleagues from Texas have set 
     aside time on the House floor during special orders to honor 
     a former Member and the out-going Chancellor of the Texas 
     Tech University System, the Honorable Kent Hance. I rise with 
     my colleagues to recognize his accomplishments and 
     exceptional leadership.
       Kent Hance was elected to the People's House in 1978, then 
     re-elected twice. He served in the 96th, 97th, and 98th 
     Congresses during a time of great change in the direction of 
     America's governance and leadership. As a ``Boll Weevil'' 
     Democrat, Kent worked across the aisle with a Republican 
     president, Ronald W. Reagan, to enact some of the most 
     sweeping and successful tax reforms in American history.
       Bipartisan passage of the Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981 
     set the stage for an incredible two-decade period of economic 
     expansion. According to a 2001 Heritage Foundation report, 
     the tax cuts Kent Hance and others supported led to the 
     creation of more than 35 million jobs, an 80 percent growth 
     in the overall economy, a 78 percent growth in industrial 
     production, and a doubling of federal revenue from 1983 
     through 1999.
       After his time in Congress Kent returned to the law and 
     eventually assumed a leadership role in the world of Texas 
     academics, becoming the third chancellor of the Texas Tech 
     University system in 2006.
       Under his direction, the TTU system has grown by leaps and 
     bounds. Enrollment has expanded 45 percent overall, with 
     minority enrollment up 70 percent. From 2006 to 2012, the 
     number of degrees awarded went up 46 percent. The system's 
     endowment has grown by 80 percent and now tops $1 billion; 
     more than $700 million has been invested in campus 
     construction.

[[Page H3132]]

       In 2012, Texas Tech established the Center for the Study of 
     Western Civilization as well as the Free Market Institute. 
     Both of these programs seek to research and advance the core 
     virtues that have set America apart as the world's freest and 
     most productive society--things no other major university 
     systems are doing.
       In nine years as chancellor Kent Hance has built the TTU 
     system into a leader in engineering, medicine, health 
     sciences, emerging technologies, and research. By any 
     measure, the TTU system is one of the nation's premier higher 
     learning institutions.
       And yet, Mr. Speaker, the man in middle of all this growth 
     and success would be one of the last to promote his own 
     personal contribution. Kent Hance, beyond the accolades and 
     awards, is a decent man who has served the people of West 
     Texas with honor and distinction his whole life--and I am 
     proud to call him my friend.
       Mr. Speaker, congratulations to Chancellor Hance as he 
     moves on to a new chapter. I thank him for his leadership, 
     his vision, and his lifetime of public service.
                                  ____



                     HONORING CHANCELLOR KENT HANCE

       Mr. CARTER. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to honor the 
     distinguished career of Texas Tech University Chancellor Kent 
     Hance. With his retirement approaching, he will soon close 
     his incredible service to my alma mater and begin the next 
     chapter of his life.
       Since becoming Chancellor in 2006, he has made incredible 
     achievements at Texas Tech and the university continues to 
     thrive because of the impacts he has made. Quickly after he 
     took leadership, Texas Tech doubled in size with its addition 
     of Angelo State University and the creation of Texas Tech 
     University Health Sciences Center El Paso. In a matter of 
     eight years, Chancellor Hance's forward-thinking approach 
     helped Texas Tech grow exponentially. With more than 33,000 
     students enrolled in the fall 2013 class, Texas Tech has 
     increased its enrollment by 16% over the last decade and is 
     on target to meet its goal to enroll 40,000 students by 2020.
       ``Dream no little dream.'' Chancellor Hance's famous four 
     words have proven no truer than for himself. Under his 
     leadership, Texas Tech surpassed Hance's goal to raise an 
     astonishing $1 billion for its capital campaign placing Tech 
     in an elite group of universities. Because of his commitment 
     to higher education, more students have had an opportunity to 
     obtain a college degree and Texas Tech continues to be ranked 
     in the top 20 universities for producing the best graduates.
       Retirement is to be celebrated and enjoyed. It's not the 
     end of a career but rather the beginning of a new adventure. 
     I speak for myself, as well as all of the Red Raider family, 
     when I say Chancellor Hance's unconditional love for Texas 
     Tech combined with his exceptional leadership leaves behind a 
     legacy that will never be forgotten. I commend him for his 
     dedication to Texas Tech and wish him the best in the years 
     ahead.
                                  ____

                                             Rick Perry, Governor,


                                       Office of the Governor,

                                        Austin, TX, April 7, 2014.
     Hon. Kent R. Hance,
     Chancellor, Texas Tech University System, Lubbock, TX.
       Dear Chancellor Hance: It is my pleasure to join your 
     friends and colleagues in recognizing the remarkable job you 
     have done as a leader of the Texas Tech University System.
       You have presided over an incredible era for the Texas Tech 
     system, highlighted by profound growth and positive change. 
     With the addition of Angelo State University and the creation 
     of the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center--El Paso, 
     the system has literally doubled in size since 2007. 
     Enrollment has also increased dramatically, and students are 
     graduating and joining the workforce at a faster rate, too. 
     Nearly 10,000 degrees were earned in 2012, almost double the 
     number that were awarded a decade ago.
       You have embraced the challenges that come with such 
     exceptional growth, and the Texas Tech system is thriving. 
     Under your leadership, the system's Vision & Tradition 
     campaign raised an astonishing $1 billion in the most 
     successful capital campaign in its history. You have 
     skillfully navigated the line between your core missions of 
     educating students and conducting world-changing research. 
     And you haven't been afraid to embrace fresh ideas. It's no 
     surprise that Angelo State was one of the first universities 
     to answer my call to develop a $10,000 degree program or that 
     the system has consistently been a leader in focusing on 
     student outcomes and using their feedback to help determine 
     the best ways to teach and structure programs.
       Of course, your career has been about more than new 
     facilities or modified degree programs. It has been about 
     helping people better their lives.
       It's important to remember what a college degree means on 
     an individual level. A college degree opens a doorway to more 
     success, broader opportunities and bigger dreams for people 
     of all backgrounds. Whether you're from a small town or big 
     city, no matter what your parents might do or what your goals 
     may be, a quality, affordable college education is a valuable 
     step toward being the very best you can be.
       Many students have passed through Texas Tech's institutions 
     during your tenure. These men and women will make incredible 
     contributions to our communities, to our state and to our 
     nation; some of them probably already have. You have 
     furthered both individual success and collective 
     achievement--and that is quite a legacy.
       Anita and I thank you for your service to the State of 
     Texas and wish you an enjoyable, fulfilling retirement.
           Sincerely,
                                                       Rick Perry,
     Governor.
                                  ____



                                       Hendrick Health System,

                                       Abilene, TX, April 9, 2014.
     Kent Hance,
     Office of Chancellor, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX.
       Chancellor Kent Hance has been good for Texas Tech and he 
     has been good for Texas!
       If you were to prioritize his accomplishments, would you 
     begin with his fundraising success, the growth in the number 
     of students enrolled at Texas Tech or would you begin with 
     the economic impact through expansion of educational services 
     he has had on the western part of our great state. You could 
     even begin with the individual lives he often talked about 
     that have been changed as a result of a first generation 
     family to attend college. Or would you begin with the lasting 
     impact of the power of leadership training he has provided to 
     a vast number of students through the classes taught on 
     leadership. It would be appropriate to begin with the lessons 
     he continuously taught alumni of the importance of giving 
     back to an institution that provided an outstanding 
     foundation for thousands of Texas Tech alumni that have moved 
     around the world. You could even begin with the hundreds of 
     business students that were impacted early in Kent's career 
     through the business law classes he taught with humor, 
     enthusiasm, and exciting legal concepts to ponder.
       No matter where you start, how you prioritize, or how 
     inclusive you become in including the vast number of 
     accomplishments of Kent Hance, it has been a great and 
     impactful career. There are few people that can be included 
     in the same category as Kent Hance. Unfortunately, 
     individuals like Kent do not come along often enough.
       What a pleasure it has been for me to get to know and 
     observe the impact of this great man.
                                                    Tim Lancaster,
     Hendrick Health System.
                                  ____

                                                    April 9, 2014.
     Kent Hance,
     Chancellor, Texas Tech University.
       Dear Chancellor Hance: I send my greetings and best wishes 
     on the occasion of your retirement as Chancellor after more 
     than eight years with Texas Tech University.
       From your early career in the Texas Senate, three terms in 
     the U.S. Congress, Chairmanship of the Texas Railroad 
     Commission, and your current role as Chancellor, you have 
     dedicated your life and service to the betterment of Texas 
     and its citizens. Your energy and experience have been an 
     important force in ensuring access to quality higher 
     education and expansion of research and innovation in Texas. 
     Under your leadership, the Texas Tech University System has 
     experienced growth in both size and academic stature. Your 
     legacy will continue to benefit the Texas Tech community and 
     our state for years to come.
       I join with your family, friends, and co-workers in 
     commemorating your distinguished career in public service, 
     and applaud your commitment to dreaming big dreams and 
     seeking to make them a reality. Best wishes to you and Susie 
     as you begin a new chapter in your life.
           Sincerely,
                                                      John Cornyn,
     United States Senator.
                                  ____

                                                    April 9, 2014.
     Kent Hance,
     Chancellor, Texas Tech University.
       Dear Chancellor Hance: On behalf of a grateful state, thank 
     you for your service to the Great State of Texas and Texas 
     Tech University. As a native of Dimmitt, your West Texas 
     roots, strong moral character, and entrepreneurial spirit 
     have created a legacy that will not soon be forgotten.
       In a career that has spanned many years and both public and 
     private service, you have created an impressive record of 
     expanding growth and opportunity. Your contributions have 
     touched the lives of countless Texans, and they have produced 
     plentiful economic benefits to the entire state.
       Under your direction, the Texas Tech University System has 
     doubled in size, with the additions of Angelo State 
     University and the Tech University Health Sciences Center at 
     El Paso. You set out to grow enrollment, increase research, 
     and increase commercial technology opportunities, and you 
     have achieved all these goals with great success.
       Thank you for your outstanding leadership. You are an 
     exemplary Texan, and I hope that we will continue to build 
     upon the strong educational foundations you have nurtured.
                                                         Ted Cruz,
     United States Senator.
                                  ____

                                                    April 9, 2014.
       Dear Chancellor Hance: On behalf of the City of Lubbock, 
     let me offer my congratulations on your retirement as 
     Chancellor, and thank you for your service to West Texas, 
     Lubbock, and Texas Tech.
       Your love and dedication to Texas Tech have brought the 
     university to new heights.

[[Page H3133]]

     From your graduation in 1965 to leading the way in raising 
     over $1 billion, the time you have spent at Tech has left a 
     lasting impression on the university. You strengthened ties 
     between Texas Tech and the City of Lubbock, and your efforts 
     to increase enrollment have led to new students and families 
     now calling Lubbock home.
       You are a true servant of the state, having served as a 
     Texas State Senator, U.S. Congressman, and Chairman of the 
     Texas Railroad Commission. Thank you for the years of service 
     you dedicated to making Lubbock and West Texas a better place 
     to live and work.
           Sincerest congratulations,
                                                Glen C. Robertson,
     Mayor.
                                  ____

                                                             TXTA,


                                   Texas Trucking Association,

                                        Austin, TX, April 9, 2014.
       Hon. Members of the U.S. Congressional Delegation: Let it 
     be said that Chancellor Kent Hance has a deep and abiding 
     love for the institution he has devoted the last eight years 
     of his life to. In reality, Chancellor Hance has given so 
     much more than just those eight years. Those who know him, 
     know that his love affair with Texas Tech University began 
     shortly after his parents dropped him off there in 1961. 
     Since that time he has served his family and his constituents 
     with honor, going all the way back to the late 1970's when he 
     served in this hallowed body.
       As he is well known for saying to freshman during their 
     orientation, and to seniors at their graduation, ``I love 
     Texas Tech.'' It also goes without saying that Texas Tech 
     loves Kent Hance. And while his time in service as its 
     Chancellor will soon end, the love shared will be without 
     end. I am proud to have been a part of the Hance 
     Administration.
       On behalf of The Rivers and my wife, Leah, we wish him all 
     the success in retirement that he has realized in service 
     Texas Tech. All very well deserved, all with loyalty and 
     honor.

                                              John D. Esparza,

                                      Texas Tech Board of Regents,
                                         Texas Tech Class of 1997.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Members are reminded not to direct their 
remarks to former Members on the House floor.

                          ____________________