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State Representative Robert Junell
1998 Honorary Alumnus |
Robert A. "Rob" Junell, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Junell,
is a native West Texan. He and his wife, Beverly, have three children, Ryan, Keith Elizabeth, and Clay and have lived in San Angelo since 1979. Rob attended public school in Lubbock, Texas, and received a degree from New Mexico Military Institute in 1967. He received a B.S. in Education from Texas Tech University in 1969 and served as a Graduate Assistant Football Coach at Texas Tech the following year. While in the military from 1970-73, Rob served as Platoon Leader, Assistant Battalion Operations Officer, Company Commander, and was discharged as a Captain. He then continued his education at the University of Arkansas, where he received an M.A. in Political Science. Rob completed his law degree from Texas Tech University in 1976 and has practiced law in San Angelo the past 19 years.
Rob was elected to the Texas House of Representatives in 1988 and is currently serving his third term as Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee for the 75th Legislature. He also serves on the Legislative Budget Board, Legislative Audit Committee, has been past-Chairman of the Fiscal Oversight and Intergovernmental Affairs Committee for the National Conference of State Legislators, and Vice President of the NCSL Assembly on State Issues. Rob emerged rapidly as a legislative leader and was named "Outstanding Freshman Legislator of the Year" by the Texas House of Representatives. Throughout his legislative career he has been named "Legislator of the Year" by the Texas Association of Municipal Health Officials, Texas Industrial Vocational Association, Texas Public Employees Association, the Vietnam Veterans of America, Texas Transit Association, Texas Arts Council, Texas Municipal League, Texas Mexican American Chamber of Commerce, and National Association of Royalty Owners.
The Dallas Morning News recognized Rob as the "Rising Star" in 1991 and the "Best Of -The Best In The Texas Legislature" in 1995. Texas Monthly Magazine, acknowledged Rob as the "Rookie of the Year" in 1989 and "Top Ten Legislators" in 1991 and 1995. Rob received the Texas Chamber of Commerce "Legislative Leadership Award" in 1991, the "Legislative Leadership Award" from the Texas Game Warden's Association in 1994, and the San Angelo Chamber of Commerce recognized Rob as the "1994 Citizen of the Year." He was named the first "Outstanding Alumnus" by the Texas Tech University School of Law and was one of last year's "Distinguished Alumni" at Texas Tech University.
Rob is a dedicated volunteer as an Elder at the First Presbyterian Church. He is a Schreiner College Trustee, and serves as a Director for the First National Bank of Mertzon (TX), Shannon Health System, San Angelo Chamber of Commerce, United Way of the Concho Valley (ex-officio), San Angelo AIDS Foundation. Advisory Board for ASU Management Instruction and Research Center, and the San Angelo Child Support Volunteer Service Board. Rob is also a member of the Tom Green County Community Justice Council and the Attorney General's Child Welfare Advisory Council.
Rob has been an ardent supporter of education and a loyal advocate for Angelo State. In 1988, his family established the Frank Junell Law School Scholarship for Angelo State University graduates. The following year he established the Robert Junell Scholarship to award scholarships to freshman students from the four counties in his legislative district entering the field of education at Angelo State. Rob has championed the interests of the university and was instrumental in securing funding for projects such as the Math and Computer Science Building and West Texas Disaster Recovery and Operations Center, Texas Engineering Experiment Station Regional Division, Museum of Fine Arts, upcoming Houston Haile University Center expansion, and future special events center.
The impact of Rob Junell's leadership, vision, and generosity will certainly be evident for generations to come.
As profiled in the 1998 Fall Alumni Magazine.
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