Returning to his alma mater, congressman Mike Conaway humbly greeted the audience and began to address the finer points of becoming an involved citizen. Incorporating his own experiences into his speech, he captured the attention of all listening.
Monday morning, April 2, Conaway was the guest speaker at the spring 2007 Convocation. Returning to Texas A&M University-Commerce after becoming representative of the 11th congressional district of Texas, he spoke words of encouragement as well as enlightenment.
“I got a wonderful education, that has kind of served as the underpinning foundation to what I have done in 30 plus years of a business career and now serving the great state of Texas from the eleventh district,” Conaway said. “God blessed me with a little bit of talent, some life experiences, and some professional experiences that I thought qualified me to run for Congress.”
A native Texan, Conaway grew up in a Christian, middle class family from Odessa, and graduated from Odessa Permian High School, where he played on the school’s first football state championship team.
Coming to A&M-Commerce as a second semester freshman, Conaway earned his bachelor’s degree in Accounting and then decided to join the army and serve his country. After leaving the army, he resumed his career with Price Water Housing Company, eventually settling in Midland and working with President George W. Bush as a chief financial officer.
“It was there that he developed a lasting friendship with President Bush, as together they learned what it took to run a business. As an ordained deacon in the Baptist church, he and his wife Suzanne had four children and seven grandchildren,” Dr. Frank Ashley, A&M-Commerce interim provost said.
Representing 36 counties in central and West Texas, Conoway currently serves as an assistant republican whip in the 110th Congress, and was the first freshman member of Congress to win the Ronald Regan award.
“This is an award for showing exemplary leadership and communicating the message of social security reform to his constituents. His background as a CPA has given him credibility to build a vocal proponent in reducing the national debt,” Ashley said.
Conaway believes it is time for Congress to make some tough choices, and has authored many programs in legislation to change the house rules on spending. This legislation requires the creation of any new federal program to be joined with elimination of an existing federal program of equal or greater costs.
He has also advocated for a simpler and fairer tax system and has sponsored legislation that would bring more accountability in governmental funding.
“It is an incredibly high honor to get to serve Texas in a Congress position. It is a great job. I think many Americans are tired and weary of being told that America and Americans are the root of all-evil in the world,” Conaway said. “Nothing could be further from the truth. We are a good-hearted people that look up only to try and serve and help other folks.”
Currently in his second term, Conaway believes becoming an involved citizen involves many efforts on every person’s part.
“Take advantage of your opportunities. It’s a wonderful education that you can get here. Also, do what you say you’re going to do. Be that person in the organization, that when you tell someone you’re going to do something, you get it done. Do that consistently throughout your career,” Conaway said.