H.R. No. 219
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, September 18, 2011, marks the 50th anniversary of
the day San Jacinto College opened its doors, and students,
faculty, staff, and alumni are celebrating this milestone
throughout the 2011-2012 academic year; and
WHEREAS, Originally known as the East Harris County Union
Junior College, the institution operated out of a storefront
location in downtown Pasadena and held its first day of classes on
September 18, 1961; its initial enrollment was close to 900
students, and the following year, a permanent campus opened within
sight of the San Jacinto Battleground; by 1964, the campus included
the administration, science, and music buildings, as well as a
gymnasium; and
WHEREAS, San Jacinto College was awarded full accreditation
by the Texas Association of Colleges and Universities in 1963,
becoming the first college to do so after just two years of
operation; during the 1960s, the institution granted associate
degrees and offered the first two years of a four-year college
curriculum in both day and evening programs, as well as technical
training in data processing, electronics, police administration,
nursing, and other fields; and
WHEREAS, By 1965, San Jacinto College ranked as the
second-largest junior college in the state with an enrollment of
more than 3,500 students; San Jacinto College North opened in the
fall of 1975, followed by San Jacinto College South four years
later; in December 1995, the board of regents adopted the official
name San Jacinto Community College District; and
WHEREAS, Today, San Jacinto College includes three campuses,
nine extension centers, and an early college high school; it serves
nearly 30,000 students in more than 140 degree and certificate
programs, including university transfer courses and job training;
in 2008, taxpayers approved a bond referendum to support growing
enrollment through renovations at each campus and the construction
of student success centers, science and allied health facilities,
and a 92,000-square-foot transportation center that will house
automotive technology programs; and
WHEREAS, For the past half-century, San Jacinto College has
provided students with important opportunities in higher
education, and in so doing it has enriched the lives of countless
area Texans; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas
Legislature, 1st Called Session, hereby commemorate the 50th
anniversary of San Jacinto College and recognize September 19,
2011, as San Jacinto College Day; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for San Jacinto College as an expression of high regard by
the Texas House of Representatives.
Dutton
Huberty
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 219 was adopted by the House on June
28, 2011, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House