Robert Provan
Encyclopedia
Robert James Provan was a lawyer in the United States. He was diagnosed at the age of five with Poliomyelitis
. He overcame the disease, but later in his life was diagnosed with Post-polio syndrome
. Provan was the first lawyer to successfully sue a Health maintenance organization
under the Disability Discrimination Act
.
In 1961 as a sophomore at Irving High School (Irving, Texas)
, Provan was persuaded by a senior named Lorenzo Johns to campaign for Student Council President, primarily because of his immense popularity after a trip to the school Principal Ed E. Williams’s office to be clear up any eligibility rules that might be against it. Once Provan added his name to the ballot, the other canditates withdrew and he was elected by acclamation. Today at Irving High School there is a plaque on the wall with his name as the only student ever to be elected twice as Student Council President.
He graduated in 1963 with honors to become Assistant Attorney General for the State of Texas
under John Hill
. As a long time resident of Pflugerville, Texas
and in his honor the Pflugerville Independent School District
named one of their school buildings for him as a positive example of what education can accomplish if opportunity is offered. They now have the Provan Opportunity Center that offers a positive academic alternative to disciplinary expulsion, a lengthy suspension for any reason (including medical) or just dropping out. The kids call it the Provan OC Building for short.
He is survived by his daughter, Michelle (age 22), who is currently writing a novel on his life and has said, "I am in no rush to write this. I am taking my time with it and finishing college."
Poliomyelitis
Poliomyelitis, often called polio or infantile paralysis, is an acute viral infectious disease spread from person to person, primarily via the fecal-oral route...
. He overcame the disease, but later in his life was diagnosed with Post-polio syndrome
Post-polio syndrome
Post-polio syndrome is a condition that affects approximately 25–50% of people who have previously contracted poliomyelitis—a viral infection of the nervous system—after the initial infection. Typically the symptoms appear 15–30 years after recovery from the original paralytic attack, at an age of...
. Provan was the first lawyer to successfully sue a Health maintenance organization
Health maintenance organization
A health maintenance organization is an organization that provides managed care for health insurance contracts in the United States as a liaison with health care providers...
under the Disability Discrimination Act
Disability discrimination act
In the late 20th and early 21st centuries, a number of countries have passed laws aimed at reducing discrimination against people with disabilities. These laws have begun to appear as the notion of civil rights has become more influential globally, and follow other forms of anti-discrimination and...
.
In 1961 as a sophomore at Irving High School (Irving, Texas)
Irving High School (Irving, Texas)
Irving High School is a public high school in Irving, Texas. It was the first high school established in the Irving Independent School District....
, Provan was persuaded by a senior named Lorenzo Johns to campaign for Student Council President, primarily because of his immense popularity after a trip to the school Principal Ed E. Williams’s office to be clear up any eligibility rules that might be against it. Once Provan added his name to the ballot, the other canditates withdrew and he was elected by acclamation. Today at Irving High School there is a plaque on the wall with his name as the only student ever to be elected twice as Student Council President.
He graduated in 1963 with honors to become Assistant Attorney General for the State of Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
under John Hill
John Hill (Texas politician)
John Luke Hill, Jr. , was a Texas lawyer, Democratic politician, and judge. He is thus far the only person to have served as Secretary of State of Texas, Texas Attorney General, and Chief Justice of the Texas Supreme Court....
. As a long time resident of Pflugerville, Texas
Pflugerville, Texas
Pflugerville is a city in Travis and Williamson counties in the U.S. state of Texas. The population was 16,335 at the 2000 census. A July 1, 2008 U.S. Census Bureau estimate placed the population at 39,653...
and in his honor the Pflugerville Independent School District
Pflugerville Independent School District
Pflugerville Independent School District is a public school district based in Pflugerville, Texas .In addition to Pflugerville, the district also serves the community of Windemere, parts of Wells Branch and Austin as well as rural areas in northeastern Travis County.In 2009, the school district...
named one of their school buildings for him as a positive example of what education can accomplish if opportunity is offered. They now have the Provan Opportunity Center that offers a positive academic alternative to disciplinary expulsion, a lengthy suspension for any reason (including medical) or just dropping out. The kids call it the Provan OC Building for short.
He is survived by his daughter, Michelle (age 22), who is currently writing a novel on his life and has said, "I am in no rush to write this. I am taking my time with it and finishing college."