OFFICE OF GOVERNOR WILLIAM P. CLEMENTS, JR. June 28, 1982 For Immediate Release: Governor Bill Clements today announced creation of the Governor's Task Force on Private Sector Initiatives. Jack S. Blanton of Houston will serve as Chairman and Rita Clements will serve as Honorary Co-Chairman of the committee. The New Federalism concept brings a challenge for greater involvement by the private sector through volunteerism and charitable activities. This task force will encourage involvement of individuals, corporations and the business community toward meeting Texans needs without creating more government and more taxes. The task force is charged with responsibilities to promote formation of community partnerships -- private sector corporations and non-profit organizations working with local government -- to address local needs; to identify any government impediments to private sector initiatives and recommend incentives for increased involvement; to create a program to recognize outstanding examples of private sector action and focus attention on those which could be replicated. Governor Clements said, "We in Texas philosophically agree with the concept of New Federalism. We believe we can deliver higher quality services at a lower cost than the federal government and that the government which governs least governs best. New Federalism could also be called the new nartnership. We must have a new partnership between federal and state governments, between state and local governments, and between the private sector and public sector through volunteerism. This task force will encourage this new partnership through support of our strong base of volunteerism and its continued growth." Blanton is President of Scurlock Oil and Gas and Director of the American Petroleum Institute. He is former President of Texas Mid-Continent Oil and Gas. He is Chairman of the Community Betterment section of Houston Chamber of Commerce, founder of Parents League of Houston, President of Sam Houston Area Boy Scouts of America and a member of the Board of Directors of the Museum of National Science. The Governor's Office for Volunteer Services will serve as coordinating staff of the task force. The Governor will appoint around 30 members to serve for maximum one year terms at the pleasure of the Governor. Members will receive no compensation for their service.