SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 185 WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to join citizens across the state in celebrating February 22, 2017, as Baylor Day at the Capitol; and WHEREAS, Baylor University was established February 1, 1845, by an act of the Congress of the Republic of Texas; it is the oldest continually operating university in the state; and WHEREAS, This private Christian university and nationally ranked research institution provides a vibrant campus community to 16,959 students; it offers 142 undergraduate degrees, 75 graduate degrees, 42 doctoral degrees, and a juris doctor, in addition to a wide array of pre-professional tracks and specialized academic opportunities; and WHEREAS, Baylor University is also home to a variety of exceptional athletic programs; its football team recently won the 2016 Cactus Bowl, the men's basketball team became the number-one team in the nation for the first time in program history, and the women's basketball team continues its dominance continuously with its current number-two ranking in the country; and WHEREAS, With a 3.27 grade point average across the entire athletic department in the fall of 2016, Baylor athletics extends its run to 17 consecutive semesters with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher: 137 students were named to the Dean's List, and 307 students were named to the Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll for the fall semester; and WHEREAS, The school's combination of interdisciplinary research and a faculty committed to teaching and scholarship has served to create an institution with an international reputation for educational excellence; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 85th Legislature, hereby commend Baylor University on its commitment to educating men and women for worldwide leadership and service and extend to its students, faculty, and staff best wishes for a memorable Baylor Day at the Capitol; and, be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for the university as an expression of esteem from the Texas Senate. Birdwell, Hancock, Hughes, Taylor of Galveston, Watson ____________________________________________________________ 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 February 13, 2017. ______________________________ Secretary of the Senate