Friends of the University PAC was established in June 1992 by several long time University of Texas at Austin supporters, including John Fainter, Larry Temple, John Chase, Wales Madden, Michael Cook, Bob Inman, Bernard Rapoport and Jess Hay. John Fainter, Roger Moore, Wales Madden and Bernard Rapoport have all served as Chairman of the PAC. The PAC was established to support The University by rais
ing funds for the campaigns of officials who were working to further the mission of The University. The only criterion for receiving the PAC’s support has been that the legislator support The University. Historically, the PAC has supported strong supporters of UT Austin such as Bob Bullock, John Montford, Bill Ratliff and David Sibley. More recently, the PAC has supported Joe Straus, Judith Zaffirini, Greg Abbott, and others in the Texas Legislature who support higher education. Bob Bullock was particularly supportive of the PAC’s efforts to maintain UT as a university of the first class. He said, “As long as the legislature is as stingy as they are with higher education and with education in general, then by golly they ought to do it [fundraising and giving to political candidates].”
Since the PAC’s foundation, UT alumni and the board of regents provided strong financial support for our efforts to ensure that UT’s needs and aspirations are met. Bernard Rapoport held fundraisers and made contributions to help the PAC reach legislators who knew how important higher education is to the future of Texas. Tex Moncrief, Louis Beecherl, and Jess Hay were all frequent contributors to the PAC. Those efforts continue today with leaders such as former Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison. From the beginning, the PAC has had many great people involved at every level, and we still do. Bill Cunningham is the current PAC Chairman. Michael Cook, who was on the original board, is now the treasurer. The board also includes Steve Ballantyne, David Beck, Michelle Brock, Wallace Jefferson, Charles Matthews, Annie Holand Miller, and Harry Reasoner. With your help, the PAC and its board members will continue fulfilling the mission which began over 20 years ago.
