82R2443 MMS-D
By: Branch H.C.R. No. 100
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The Texas State University System, the oldest and
third-largest system of higher education in Texas, is celebrating
its centennial in 2011; and
WHEREAS, Created by the Texas Legislature in 1911, the system
originally brought together Sam Houston Normal Institute, in
Huntsville; North Texas State Normal College, in Denton; Southwest
Texas State Normal School, in San Marcos; and West Texas State
Normal College, in Canyon; oversight of the system was vested in a
group known as the State Normal School Board of Regents; and
WHEREAS, Over the years, the system has evolved dramatically;
component institutions were renamed state teachers colleges in
1923, and they subsequently composed what was known as the State
Senior College System; renamed the Texas State University System in
1975, the network now encompasses eight institutions: Sam Houston
State University, Texas State University--San Marcos, Sul Ross
State University, Sul Ross State University--Rio Grande College,
Lamar University, Lamar Institute of Technology, Lamar State
College--Orange, and Lamar State College--Port Arthur; and
WHEREAS, Each of the institutions in the Texas State
University System carries the name of, or is closely associated
with, a Texas hero--Sam Houston, statesman, commander of the Texas
Army, first and third president of the Republic of Texas, and
governor of Texas; Mirabeau Lamar, widely recognized as the Father
of Texas Education and the second president of the Republic of
Texas; Lawrence Sullivan Ross, Civil War veteran, general,
governor, and president of the Agricultural and Mechanical College
of Texas; and Lyndon Baines Johnson, 1930 graduate of Southwest
Texas State Teachers College at San Marcos and 36th president of the
United States of America; and
WHEREAS, Today, every school in the system is facing an
increased demand for its services, with overall enrollment growing
at a faster rate than the state's population; the number of students
registered collectively in system institutions rose by 4.8 percent
between the fall semesters of 2009 and 2010, reaching nearly
76,000; to accommodate those students, the system and its component
institutions employ over 15,000 faculty and staff; and
WHEREAS, Campuses of the Texas State University System are
located across the state, and each boasts a distinctive character
and its own unique strengths; together, the schools' myriad
offerings range from industrial certification to doctoral degrees,
and a number of their programs have achieved national prominence;
some of the schools are extensively engaged in research, and all put
a premium on quality teaching; and
WHEREAS, Since its inception, the Texas State University
System has enriched the lives of countless 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 82nd Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby commemorate the centennial of the founding of the Texas
State University System and honor all those associated with its
member institutions for their commitment to academic excellence and
public service; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for the Texas State University System as an expression of
high regard by the Texas House of Representatives and Senate.