George P. Mitchell Honored as 2013 History-Making Texan
AUSTIN —
Houston businessman George P. Mitchell, a 1940 distinguished petroleum engineering graduate of Texas A&M University and founder of Mitchell Energy & Development Corp., has been honored by the Texas State History Museum Foundation Board of Trustees with the 2013 History-Making Texan Award.
Dignitaries from around the state gathered Wednesday (Feb. 27) at The Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum to pay tribute to Mitchell and fellow 2013 honoree Gene F. Kranz — the iconic NASA Mission Operations director whose “failure is not an option” motto guided the success of America’s flight program for more than 30 years — as part of the Ninth Annual Texas Independence Day Dinner.
The History-Making Texan Award recognizes living Texas legends whose contributions to the state and the nation have been historic and exceptional in scope and nature.
Mitchell, a Galveston native and historic preservation enthusiast, has forged a path as a visionary leader in urban development, education, and oil and gas, most notably transforming America’s energy future with the pioneering technologies that launched a shale gas revolution. Kranz is widely recognized for his leadership of the “Tiger Team” of flight directors who brought the Apollo 13 spaceship safely back to Earth on April 17, 1970. He retired from NASA in 1994 and is a consultant, motivational speaker and author of the New York Times Bestseller, Failure is Not an Option: Mission Control from Mercury to Apollo 13 and Beyond.
“Texans are known for their innovative spirit. Gene Kranz and George Mitchell are pioneers in their respective fields,” said Foundation Board President Michelle Brock. “It is a privilege to recognize and celebrate the extraordinary accomplishments of these gentlemen.”
Foundation trustees Louise Griffeth and Debbie Raynor, both of Dallas, served as co-chairs for the 2013 Texas Independence Day Dinner, while Jan Bullock of Austin was the evening’s honorary chair.
Visit the Foundation’s website for additional information on both the event and the award, including a list of previous History-Making Texan Award winners.
Click here to learn more about Mitchell and his visionary support of Texas A&M University — a legacy that includes a $35 million commitment toward the $82.5 million Mitchell Physics Buildings and a recent $20 million gift made last fall in tandem with the Cynthia and George Mitchell Foundation in support of his namesake George P. and Cynthia Woods Mitchell Institute for Fundamental Physics and Astronomy.
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Watch the tribute video, courtesy of the Bullock Museum, on You Tube:
Contact: Shana K. Hutchins, (979) 862-1237 or shutchins@science.tamu.edu
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