H.R. No. 1562
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, A number of proud Texans are visiting Austin on
April 27, 2009, to celebrate Prairie View A&M University Day at the
State Capitol; and
WHEREAS, Prairie View is the second-oldest public
institution of higher education in Texas and the first in the state
to be founded for African Americans; and
WHEREAS, Established in 1876, Prairie View opened its doors
in Waller County on March 11, 1878, as Alta Vista Agricultural
College, part of the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas;
the following year the school became Prairie View State Normal
Institute, with a focus on training African American teachers; in
1887, the legislature authorized the creation of an agricultural
and mechanical department and an experiment station at Prairie
View, and in 1890 the school became a land-grant institution; the
school assumed its present name in 1973, when it became a separate
unit within The Texas A&M University System; and
WHEREAS, In recognition of the school's notable history and
mission, the Texas Legislature defined a special charge for Prairie
View in 1981, calling on it, firstly, to enable students of diverse
ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds to realize their full
potential, and secondly, to assist small and medium-sized
communities and businesses in their development; and
WHEREAS, Today, Prairie View enrolls more than 8,000 students
from throughout the country and around the world; composed of nine
schools and colleges, it also offers instruction at satellite
campuses in The Woodlands, Spring, and the Texas Medical Center,
where its College of Nursing is located; and
WHEREAS, Prairie View currently awards some 1,500 degrees
annually, approximately half of them distributed among 50
baccalaureate academic majors and the other half among 37 master's
and four doctoral degree programs; the school is one of the
top-ranking institutions across the nation in the number of degrees
it confers on African Americans in the fields of computer science,
math, and engineering, and it is also a leader in the number of
black graduates admitted to medical school; in addition, it has
benefited countless citizens through various extension programs,
which it has offered since 1915; and
WHEREAS, Since 2003, Prairie View has been guided by
President George C. Wright, a distinguished historian who formerly
served as executive vice president for academic affairs and as
provost at The University of Texas at Arlington; joining President
Wright in the chamber today are members of the rising generation of
Texas leaders, representatives of the Prairie View A&M University
Student Government Association; and
WHEREAS, For 130 years, Prairie View A&M University has
enriched the lives of thousands of students, contributed to the
advancement of human knowledge, and proved a powerful force for
social progress and economic development in the Lone Star State;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas
Legislature hereby recognize April 27, 2009, as Prairie View A&M
University Day at the State Capitol and honor this venerable
institution for its outstanding dedication to academic excellence
and significant public service; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Prairie View A&M University as an expression of high
regard by the Texas House of Representatives.
Zerwas
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 1562 was adopted by the House on April
27, 2009, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House