81R33458 JH-D
By: Isett H.C.R. No. 269
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The year 2009 marks the 20th anniversary of the
founding of the Vietnam Center and Archive at Texas Tech University
in Lubbock, and this milestone offers a welcome opportunity to
honor this respected institution; and
WHEREAS, Established by the university's board of regents in
1989, the Vietnam Center and Archive is dedicated to promoting
research and education on all aspects of the American Vietnam
experience and to promoting greater understanding of the peoples
and cultures of Southeast Asia; and
WHEREAS, To carry out this mission, the center collects and
preserves pertinent source material and educates the public through
exhibits, classroom instruction, and educational programs;
moreover, scholarly research on the Vietnam War and related events
is encouraged through the presentation of the center's highly
regarded symposia and conferences, the sponsorship of exchange
programs, and the publication of material to further knowledge of
the subject; and
WHEREAS, The effort to establish the Vietnam Center and
Archive began when local Vietnam veterans discussed creating an
archive to be used by Texas Tech students; through the years, the
contributions of numerous other individuals have allowed this
institution to develop into a renowned resource for scholarship and
education; and
WHEREAS, Key to the success of the center have been valuable
donations of materials from individuals such as Ambassador William
Colby and Professor Douglas Pike, who served as the center's senior
research fellow from 1997 until his death in 2002; in addition, the
Vietnam Center has received assured guidance from its directors,
Dr. James Reckner and Dr. Stephen Maxner, as well as Dr. Dennis
Patterson, who succeeded Dr. Reckner as executive director of the
Institute for Modern Conflict, Diplomacy, and Reconciliation in
2009; and
WHEREAS, The involvement of the United States in Southeast
Asia from the 1950s through the 1970s stands as a defining episode
in our nation's history and one with great implications for the
future, and for two decades the Texas Tech Vietnam Center and
Archive has played a central role in the ongoing study of the war
and its legacy; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 81st Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby commemorate the 20th anniversary of the founding of the
Vietnam Center and Archive at Texas Tech University and extend all
those associated with the institution sincere best wishes for
continued success; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for the center as an expression of high regard by the Texas
House of Representatives and Senate.