Van Taylor

Madam Speaker, today I rise to recognize and salute State Representative Scott Sanford, a steadfast leader who has faithfully served the constituents of Texas' House District 70 over the past decade.

A proud Texas native, Mr. Sanford earned his Bachelor and Masters degrees from Baylor University prior to beginning his career as a certified public accountant. In 1997, Scott heeded a new calling by joining the ministry at Cottonwood Creek Church in Allen, Texas, where he currently serves as the Executive Pastor.

In 2012, Sanford undertook a new mission of service after being elected to Texas House District 70, which encompasses the rapidly growing Collin County cities of McKinney, Melissa, Celina, Prosper, Anna, Princeton, and Weston.

During his time in the Texas Legislature, he has proudly held the positions of Texas GOP Caucus Policy Chair during the 86th and 87th Legislative Sessions and also served as the Chairman of the Texas Prayer Caucus. Notable past committee assignments include the House Public Education Committee, Health & Human Services Committee, Urban Affairs Committee, Land & Resource Management Committee, Juvenile Justice & Family Issues Committee, and the Corrections Committee. Rep. Sanford also currently serves on the prestigious Ways & Means Committee, Insurance Committee, and the House Administration Committee.

His proudest legislative achievements include the Pastor Protection Act, the Bonton Farms Act, the Don't Pass the Trash Bill, and the Freedom to Worship Act. For his many efforts, he was recognized by Texas Values as a ``Faith & Family Champion,'' by Texas CASA with the ``Big Voices for Little Texans'' Award, and by the Texas Conservative Coalition as a ``Courageous Conservative.''

Representative Sanford's deep commitment to his community and constituents is evidenced by his work as a member of the board for Smiles Charity and Collin County Meals on Wheels, as a member of the Rotary Club of McKinney and the McKinney Chamber of Commerce, and as a mentor to students in McKinney Independent School District through the REACH program.

Representative Sanford has truly fostered a tremendous legacy of servant leadership. Now as he prepares to begin a new season of life alongside his wife, Shelly, it is with gratitude that I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join me in recognizing his many contributions throughout his career in public service while wishing him and his family all the best in this next chapter.

Madam Speaker, today, I rise to honor and celebrate the life of Neal J. Katz.

On November 23, 1954, Neal was born to Regina and Louis Katz in New York City. In high school he would earn the name ``Statz'' after managing statistics for Horace Mann's Basketball Team, a lifelong skill to which he was well suited.

Following his graduation from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute where he received a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and a Master's in Business Administration, Neal and his wife, Diane, would move to Texas, eventually settling in Plano.

Mr. Katz would become an active fixture in Collin County politics where his roles included serving as an elector as part of the Texas delegation to the Electoral College, on the State Republican Executive Committee, as a delegate to the National Convention, and as an active participant in more than a dozen local organizations. Most recently, he retired as Executive Director of the Collin County Republican Party.

Service above self was an important component of Neal's life, and his passions included keeping his hometown of Plano safe. To that end, he was a graduate of the Plano Citizens Police Academy, a Field Training Officer, and a volunteer in several initiatives including Citizens Assisting Plano Police, the Plano Youth Police Academy, and Summer Safety School.

As a proud father to Janelle and Rachel, Neal proudly served as a Girl Scouts Troop Cookie Dad before being elevated to a University of North Texas sports fan and ISU theatre patron.

While we mourn Neal's loss, we remember his many contributions as a servant leader within our community. With much gratitude for his longtime grassroots efforts, I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join me in celebrating the rich legacy of Neal J. Katz.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Habitat for Humanity of Collin County as they celebrate 30 years of invaluable housing assistance and commitment to fostering safe and healthy communities in Texas' Third District.

The Collin County affiliate of Habitat for Humanity was incorporated on August 26, 1992, with the goal of providing Collin County families in need with the opportunity to fulfill their dream of homeownership.

Since its inception, Habitat for Humanity of Collin County has worked alongside 228 families to build safe and affordable homes and has successfully completed more than 2,142 repair projects. In addition to the organization's efforts to provide direct housing assistance, Collin County Habitat for Humanity has expanded its services through the opening of two ReStore locations which serve as discount home improvement and donation centers. These ReStores offer reusable and low-cost building materials to the public and use all profits earned to fund the construction of new homes.

The support of the community coupled with the work of countless volunteers is what has enabled Habitat for Humanity of Collin County to successfully provide these vital housing services. Each day, this organization exemplifies what can be achieved when members of a community work together for the common good.

Now as we recognize Habitat for Humanity of Collin County on this milestone occasion, I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join me in honoring their thirty years of dedicated service to Collin County.