81R23238 MG-D
By: Hunter H.R. No. 1415
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, An admired political analyst and educator, Dr.
Robert R. Bezdek has served Texas A&M University--Corpus Christi
and the surrounding community for more than three decades; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Bezdek came to the "Island University" with an
extensive background in politics, having spent time in Mexico City
researching the leaders and opposition forces there and publishing
various articles on the subject; since he was among the first
professors at the university when it opened in 1973, he wrote the
political science curriculum and taught many of the courses before
additional faculty members were hired; Dr. Bezdek has served as
president of the campus chapter of the Texas Association of College
Teachers, as chair of the College Personnel Committee, and as the
faculty representative on the Academic Council, and in 1990, he
conducted surveys of area high school students about their
perceptions of the university in preparation for its transition to
a four-year institution; this renowned scholar has also published
in Social Science Quarterly, and in 2002, he was chosen as the
Regents Professor of Political Science; and
WHEREAS, Through the years, Dr. Bezdek has been interviewed
on numerous occasions by representatives from newspapers and
television and radio stations in both the United States and Mexico;
these reporters regularly seek his expertise on local, state, and
national elections, as well as on Mexican political events, and he
was hired as an analyst by KRIS-TV; he also spoke about voter
turnout in South Texas on CNN, and in 2000, he covered the historic
Mexican presidential election for a local station, giving live
updates, in Spanish, from San Luis Potosi; and
WHEREAS, Actively engaged in his community, Dr. Bezdek has
been a consultant for city officials and several organizations,
including the Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce, the Center for
Coastal Studies, the Corpus Christi Independent School District,
and the Diocese of Corpus Christi, and he has worked on a
redistricting project for the Nueces County Commissioners Court;
moreover, he has been a featured speaker for such groups as the
Rotary Club and Leadership Corpus Christi, and he has given
presentations at The University of Texas--Pan American, Coastal
Bend College, Texas A&M University--Kingsville, and Del Mar
College; and
WHEREAS, Despite his involvement outside of Texas A&M
University--Corpus Christi, Dr. Bezdek has never wavered in his
commitment to his students; he encourages them to participate in
his extracurricular projects with him, and they gain vital hands-on
experience by conducting surveys and interviews, gathering data on
elections, and even taking field trips to Mexico; Dr. Bezdek also
motivates his students to pursue advanced degrees; as the president
of the Southwest Association of Pre-Law Advisors, he has hosted law
school recruiters on campus, and many of his students have gone on
to become elected officials; and
WHEREAS, Over the course of his distinguished career, Dr.
Bezdek has benefited A&M--Corpus Christi in myriad ways, and it is
indeed a pleasure to recognize him for his notable achievements;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas
Legislature hereby honor Dr. Robert R. Bezdek of Texas A&M
University--Corpus Christi and extend to him sincere best wishes
for continued success and happiness; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Dr. Bezdek as an expression of high regard by the Texas
House of Representatives.