SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 210
WHEREAS, In the late 19th and early 20th centuries,
educators and business and political leaders recognized a need
for practical, hands-on vocational education programs to augment
the traditional study of classical academic subjects; and
WHEREAS, United States Senator Hoke Smith, following the
recommendations of the Commission on National Aid to Vocational
Education, introduced S. 703 on December 7, 1915; Representative
Dudley Hughes laid out a companion bill, HB 11250, on February
10, 1916; these initiatives received bipartisan support in
Congress, and the Smith-Hughes Act was signed into law by
President Woodrow Wilson on February 23, 1917; and
WHEREAS, This landmark legislation granted financial
support to the states with the autonomy to develop career and
technical education systems; today, 15 million American students
participate in some form of vocational education in 16
cutting-edge career areas, and more than one million of those are
Texans; and
WHEREAS, In addition, as a result of the Smith-Hughes
National Vocational Education Act, numerous outstanding youth
leadership development organizations such as the Future Business
Leaders of America, the National FFA Organization, and
SkillsUSA, were established and became vital additions to
vocational educational programs; it is truly fitting that the
impetus behind these exceptional programs receive special
recognition; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 85th
Legislature, hereby proclaim February 23, 2017, as Smith-Hughes
Day and call on Texans to join Americans across the nation in
supporting the educators and programs that help prepare young
people to become productive, contributing members of society;
and, be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared in
honor of this special occasion.
Kolkhorst
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President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on February 15, 2017.
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Secretary of the Senate
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Member, Texas Senate