Homer to be honored as Distinguished Alumnus

Published or Revised July 15, 2005

The Paris Junior College Alumni and Friends Association will pay special tribute to State Rep. Mark Homer at a banquet Aug. 11. Homer will be recognized as a Distinguished Alumnus of PJC for his dedication to the service of his constituency in District 3 as a member of the Texas House of Representatives. The event will be held in the college's Harold E. Hunt Physical Education Center beginning at 6:30 p.m. Reservations can be made by calling 903-737-4321. Tickets for the dinner are $15 per person. The PJC Distinguished Alumnus Award, a tradition since 1973, honors alumni who are making outstanding contributions to society through their chosen fields of endeavor. "We are privileged to honor Mark, a native of Paris who has contributed so much to our community and been such a strong supporter of Paris Junior College," said Alumni Association President Thomas E. Hunt III. The public is invited to the appreciation dinner that will provide funds to establish the Representative Mark Homer Scholarship Endowment. The appreciation dinner committee has set several gift levels for funds that will go to the scholarship fund. To go along with the theme of the event, levels include Double Bacon Cheeseburger, $1,000 or more; Cheeseburger, $500 to $999; Hamburger, $250 to $499; Extra Long Coney Dog, $99 to $249; Large Onion Rings, $50 to $98, and Junior Burger, $1 to $49. The committee requests that dinner reservations and donations be received by Aug. 4 so they can be included in the printed program. Any funds contributed above the price of the dinner ticket will go toward the scholarship fund. Homer graduated from Paris High School, attended Paris Junior College and received his bachelor of science degree from Texas A&M University - College Station. He received his master of business administration degree from Angelo State University. Homer, his wife Jennifer, daughter Hanna Ray, and sons Harrison Wade and Hayden Joseph reside in Paris. He and his dad Frank operate Sonic Drive-Ins in Texas and Florida. He was elected to the Texas House of Representatives in November 1998 and took office on Jan. 12, 1999. He serves on several House committees and in 2003 was named by the Texas Economic Development Council as their Legislator of the Year. Homer, who serves on the Environmental Regulation Committee and Licensing and Administrative Procedure Committee, was re-elected to a fourth term in the House last November. Reservations may be made by mail or in person. The committee said space is limited, so call 903-737-4321, FAX to 903-737-4322, or email Johny Robertson at jrobertson@parisjc.edu. The mailing address is Alumni Office, Paris Junior College, 2400 Clarksville St., Paris, TX 75460.