SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 397 WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to recognize the Texas State Technical College System for its outstanding contributions to higher education in the state; and WHEREAS, Texas State Technical College innovatively lives out its mission to contribute to the educational and economic development of the State of Texas by offering occupation-oriented programs and emphasizing highly specialized advanced and emerging technical and vocational areas; and WHEREAS, Texas State Technical College is the only state-supported two-year college system in Texas; and WHEREAS, Texas State Technical College serves Texas with colleges in Harlingen, Marshall, Waco, and West Texas through partnership agreements with 30 community colleges and customized training for Texas industries; and WHEREAS, Texas State Technical College serves students from 207 of the 254 Texas counties, the majority of which are located in rural areas which provide limited or no access to institutions of higher education or workforce training; and WHEREAS, Texas State Technical College provides an affordable career-specific college degree at a quarter of the cost of proprietary schools; and WHEREAS, Texas State Technical College serves more than 14,800 students each year in credit programs alone and provides direct, customized training to thousands more who are employed or seeking employment in Texas industries; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 81st Legislature, hereby commend the faculty, staff, and administration of the Texas State Technical College System on their dedication to providing essential educational opportunities to the citizens of Texas that allow them to prepare for or advance in their careers; and, be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for Texas State Technical College as an expression of high regard from the Texas Senate. Averitt, Duncan, Eltife, Estes, Fraser, Lucio ____________________________________________________________ Member, Texas Senate Member, Texas Senate ____________________________________________________________ Member, Texas Senate Member, Texas Senate ____________________________________________________________ Member, Texas Senate Member, Texas Senate ______________________________ President of the Senate I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on March 24, 2009. ______________________________ Secretary of the Senate