title: J. Paul Taylor
text: # J. Paul Taylor
  
  John Paul Taylor (August 24, 1920 – February 12, 2023) was an American politician who was a Democratic member of the New Mexico House of Representatives from 1987 to 2005. Taylor attended New Mexico State University and was a teacher and academic administrator in Las Cruces, New Mexico. During his time in the House, he was known as "the conscience of the legislature" and chaired the House Health and Human Services Committee. He turned 100 in August 2020, and died from a heart attack at his home in Mesilla, New Mexico, on February 12, 2023, at the age of 102.
  
  