H.R. No. 188
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Dr. Eluterio Blanco Jr. of The University of Texas
Rio Grande Valley has been selected as a 2021 Emerging Scholar by
the journal Diverse: Issues in Higher Education; and
WHEREAS, A clinical assistant professor in the School of
Rehabilitation Services and Counseling, Dr. Blanco launched the
school's bachelor's degree program in addiction studies, an online
program for future clinicians across the state and beyond; he
serves as its coordinator; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Blanco is a licensed chemical dependency
counselor with special expertise in substance use and addiction in
the Hispanic community; he focuses his research on the attitudes of
Latinx health practitioners toward addiction and on measures to
reduce stigma and expand access to treatment; after joining UTRGV
in 2015, he became coprincipal investigator on a three-year federal
grant program through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health
Services Administration; the initiative trained students pursuing
degrees in health care professions to recognize and address
substance abuse in patients; and
WHEREAS, In 2020, Dr. Blanco was named Terry B. Hale
Professional of the Year by the Texas Association of Addiction
Professionals; he earned his bachelor's degree in psychology at
UT Austin as a first-generation student on scholarship and
completed both his master's degree in clinical psychology and his
doctoral degree in rehabilitation counseling at UTRGV; and
WHEREAS, Eluterio Blanco has distinguished himself as a
dynamic young leader in an academic field of vital importance to the
Hispanic community, and his accomplishments are a source of great
pride to The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley; now, therefore,
be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas
Legislature hereby congratulate Dr. Eluterio Blanco Jr. on his
selection as a 2021 Emerging Scholar by the journal Diverse: Issues
in Higher Education and extend to him sincere best wishes for
continued success; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Dr. Blanco as an expression of high regard by the Texas
House of Representatives.
Guerra
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 188 was adopted by the House on March
18, 2021, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House