House Concurrent Resolution 4

(As Adopted by House and Senate)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIFE AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF PATRICK F. TAYLOR AND EXPRESSING DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS UPON HIS PASSING.

WHEREAS, Mr. Patrick F. Taylor, Chairman, President, CEO and owner of Taylor Energy Company and creator of the Taylor Plan (TOPS), departed this life on Friday, November 5, 2004, to enter into eternal rest, causing great sorrow and loss to his family and friends; and

WHEREAS, born January 12, 1937, in Beaumont, Texas, to the late Alex Taylor and Sibyl Partin Taylor Gayman, Mr. Taylor lived a life full of magnificent accomplishments, receiving his education at Kinkaid School in Houston, Texas, before attending Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, where he joined the Marine Corps PLC officer-training program during his sophomore year; and

WHEREAS, after graduating from LSU with a degree in petroleum engineering, Mr. Taylor entered employment with Texas oilman, John Mecom, before forming his own consulting and production company and subsequently founding Taylor Energy Company in New Orleans; and

WHEREAS, a successful oilman, inspiring leader and a prominent citizen in the community, Mr. Taylor wholly committed himself to the ideal that every young person in the United States should have the opportunity to achieve a quality education; and

WHEREAS, a staunch advocate for affording underprivileged and financially encumbered students the opportunity to attend college, Mr. Taylor conceived and prepared legislation for Louisiana to provide for state-paid college tuition for academically qualified students, which was adopted and signed into law on July 10, 1989, becoming known as the "Taylor Plan"; and

WHEREAS, in 1986 he founded the Patrick F. Taylor Foundation, a philanthropic organization benefiting education, law enforcement, military, community charitable organizations and other humanitarian efforts; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Taylor received numerous awards and honors from many organizations, including: the United States Marine Corps, Marine Forces Reserve, Marine Corps League, Department of the Navy, Veterans of Foreign Wars, United States Olympic Committee, Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, National Brotherhood of Christians and Jews, NAACP, Urban League, Society of Petroleum Engineers, Caring Institute, Kiwanis International, Rotary International, Volunteers of America, Freedoms Foundation of Valley Forge and the National Football League; and

WHEREAS, Pope John Paul II bestowed upon him the Medal of Benemerente, the highest award given by the Vatican to a non-Catholic; and

WHEREAS, in addition to his numerous awards and honors, Mr. Taylor received several honorary doctorates from colleges and universities across the United States; and

WHEREAS, hailed as a strong community pillar, Mr. Taylor is survived by his wife, Mrs. Phyllis Miller Taylor, to whom he was married for 39 years; brother, Michael P. Taylor; and sister, Barbara G. Stevenson; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize and commend excellence in the lives of outstanding humanitarians such as Mr. Taylor, whose life was a pinnacle of giving and excellence, and served as a beacon of hope and inspiration for all:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend the life and accomplishments of Mr. Patrick F. Taylor and express deepest sympathies to his family and friends upon his passing.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the family of Mr. Patrick F. Taylor and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.