[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 138 (Thursday, September 24, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1347]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       RECOGNIZING THOMAS W. LUCE

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 24, 2015

  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize 
Mr. Thomas W. Luce, who has been instrumental in education reform in 
Texas. Southern Methodist University will soon announce a $1.75 million 
gift from Sarah Fullinwider Perot and Ross Perot, Jr. to inaugurate the 
Thomas W. Luce III Centennial Dedman Law Scholars Program. Mr. Luce, 
who earned undergraduate and law degrees from SMU, will team up with 
the dean of the Dedman School of Law to select one to two Luce Scholars 
annually.
  Mr. Luce's role as the chief of staff for the Texas Select Committee 
of Public Education in 1984 set him up for a career dedicated to 
closing the achievement gap in education. As the founder and CEO of the 
National Math and Science Initiative, Mr. Luce shares my passion of 
STEM education. I have worked with Mr. Luce over the years on STEM 
projects and his leadership and resolve have moved STEM education 
issues to the forefront of our education policy discussions.
  Aside from his presence in the education policy conversation, Mr. 
Luce is also the founding CEO of the Meadows Mental Health Policy 
Institute, a charity that works to improve mental health services in 
Texas. As a non-practicing registered psychiatric nurse, I know 
firsthand that our mental health system is in crisis. I know that with 
the presence of Mr. Luce, many mental health patients will benefit and 
gain access to the treatment they deserve.
  The state of Texas and our nation need more individuals like Mr. Luce 
who are passionate about issues and work to improve the education 
system. I personally admire Mr. Luce for his efforts and look forward 
to working with him in the future.

                          ____________________