Gov. Greg Abbott today named Texas A&M System Chancellor John Sharp to head the Governor’s Commission to Rebuild Texas, which will coordinate the effort to recover from Hurricane Harvey, News Radio 1200 WOAI reports.
"Although the storm is over, the recovery process is just beginning, and it will require a Texas sized response," said Governor Abbott. "This new commission, led by Chancellor Sharp, will ensure victims get everything they need, and seamlessly provide resources to these devastated communities. Texas will not rest until this process is complete, and I thank Chancellor Sharp for his leadership on this commission."
Sharp is one of the most respected political figures in Texas. A Democrat, Sharp is a former Railroad Commissioner, State Comptroller, and member of the Texas House and Texas Senate.As Comptroller, Sharp was instrumental in creating the Texas Lottery. Before the Lottery Commission was established, the lottery was a function of the State Comptroller’s office.
The Commission will coordinate all of the government and publicly raised relief money, and will work with federal and state agencies to make sure the massive rebuilding effort, which Abbott says will cost more than $200 billion, is conducted efficiently and quickly.Sharp will remain at his post with the Texas A&M system.