| 1 | 1 | | H.R. No. 654 |
|---|
| 2 | 2 | | |
|---|
| 3 | 3 | | |
|---|
| 4 | 4 | | R E S O L U T I O N |
|---|
| 5 | 5 | | WHEREAS, The Department of Rehabilitation at The University |
|---|
| 6 | 6 | | of Texas--Pan American provides a comprehensive, high-quality |
|---|
| 7 | 7 | | education to both undergraduate and graduate students seeking |
|---|
| 8 | 8 | | careers assisting people with disabilities; and |
|---|
| 9 | 9 | | WHEREAS, Since 1992, the department has expanded from two |
|---|
| 10 | 10 | | faculty members to 11 and today has one of the largest |
|---|
| 11 | 11 | | rehabilitation counseling programs in the country; the master's |
|---|
| 12 | 12 | | program in rehabilitation counseling was ranked in the top 25 in the |
|---|
| 13 | 13 | | 2009 edition of America's Best Graduate Schools published by U.S. |
|---|
| 14 | 14 | | News & World Report; the department's faculty includes many members |
|---|
| 15 | 15 | | who hold leadership positions in rehabilitation organizations, as |
|---|
| 16 | 16 | | well as recognized experts in such specializations as psychiatric |
|---|
| 17 | 17 | | disabilities, addictions, and assistive technology; and |
|---|
| 18 | 18 | | WHEREAS, Undergraduate students gain valuable field |
|---|
| 19 | 19 | | experience and enjoy numerous opportunities for professional |
|---|
| 20 | 20 | | development through community involvement; a 2007 report in |
|---|
| 21 | 21 | | Hispanic Outlook in Higher Education recognized the department for |
|---|
| 22 | 22 | | graduating more Hispanics than any other rehabilitation program in |
|---|
| 23 | 23 | | the nation, and its bilingual graduates are in great demand in South |
|---|
| 24 | 24 | | Texas and across the country; and |
|---|
| 25 | 25 | | WHEREAS, In order to meet the growing need for rehabilitation |
|---|
| 26 | 26 | | educators, the department has plans to offer a Ph.D. in |
|---|
| 27 | 27 | | rehabilitation counseling beginning in fall 2009; only 26 |
|---|
| 28 | 28 | | universities in the United States offer such a curriculum, and the |
|---|
| 29 | 29 | | program will be the only one of its kind in Texas; and |
|---|
| 30 | 30 | | WHEREAS, The UTPA Department of Rehabilitation promotes a |
|---|
| 31 | 31 | | philosophy of dignity and respect for all people, and its courses |
|---|
| 32 | 32 | | integrate theory and practice to give students thorough preparation |
|---|
| 33 | 33 | | for the important roles that they will play in their communities, |
|---|
| 34 | 34 | | providing vital services to people with disabilities; and |
|---|
| 35 | 35 | | WHEREAS, Representative Aaron Pea has justly recognized the |
|---|
| 36 | 36 | | UTPA Department of Rehabilitation by authoring this resolution in |
|---|
| 37 | 37 | | its honor; now, therefore, be it |
|---|
| 38 | 38 | | RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas |
|---|
| 39 | 39 | | Legislature hereby recognize the Department of Rehabilitation at |
|---|
| 40 | 40 | | The University of Texas--Pan American and extend best wishes for |
|---|
| 41 | 41 | | continued success to its students, faculty, and staff; and, be it |
|---|
| 42 | 42 | | further |
|---|
| 43 | 43 | | RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
|---|
| 44 | 44 | | prepared for the department as an expression of high regard by the |
|---|
| 45 | 45 | | Texas House of Representatives. |
|---|
| 46 | 46 | | Pea |
|---|
| 47 | 47 | | ______________________________ |
|---|
| 48 | 48 | | Speaker of the House |
|---|
| 49 | 49 | | I certify that H.R. No. 654 was adopted by the House on March |
|---|
| 50 | 50 | | 12, 2009, by a non-record vote. |
|---|
| 51 | 51 | | ______________________________ |
|---|
| 52 | 52 | | Chief Clerk of the House |
|---|