2023S0113-1 02/10/23
By: Creighton S.R. No. 174
SENATE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Longhorns and Aggies are uniting at the State
Capitol on February 15, 2023, to celebrate The University of
Texas at Austin and Texas A&M University with Orange and Maroon
Legislative Day, a day when the state's two largest universities
celebrate their work to promote higher education in the State of
Texas; and
WHEREAS, Alumni from the two institutions total more than
1.15 million, and The University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M
University had a combined enrollment of more than 127,000
students in the fall of 2022, with more than 33,000 students
receiving degrees in 2022; the schools include superb museums and
libraries, including the George H. W. Bush Presidential Library
and Museum and the Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library and
Museum, and both universities are renowned for their exceptional
research, grants and productivity, with combined annual research
expenditures of over $1.93 billion; and
WHEREAS, The teaching and research missions of The
University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M University benefit
the State of Texas through the cultivation of informed and
engaged citizens, and they drive economic prosperity through
technological innovation, entrepreneurial spirit, improved
health care, and scientific breakthroughs, including the
development of a new clot-busting medication at The University of
Texas at Austin that can reduce by half the risk of brain bleeding
in stroke patients as well as the discovery of new biological
technologies at Texas A&M University to fight pathogens that
infect Texas crops and cost the United States agricultural
industry billions of dollars each year; and
WHEREAS, Researchers from The University of Texas at
Austin and Texas A&M University explore, discover, and innovate
in the sciences, arts, and humanities and have been granted
numerous patents; as tier one research institutions, both
universities provide students with valuable opportunities for
applied learning with guidance from outstanding faculty across
the disciplines, and as Hispanic-serving institutions, both
universities broaden access to higher education for historically
underserved populations; and
WHEREAS, Both universities serve as important cultural
centers, engaging Texans in the visual and performing arts and
other creative endeavors, and they promote athletics and
physical education, inspiring Texans to stay active and to
support student-athletes; and
WHEREAS, The combined faculties feature five Nobel
laureates and more than 100 National Academy members, and among
the enrolled students are National Merit scholars, Rhodes
scholars, Olympic gold medalists, military service veterans, and
many of the Lone Star State's most outstanding students; in
addition, the two universities offer more than 500 graduate
degree programs and an extraordinary range of postgraduate
opportunities; and
WHEREAS, The two institutions have proven records of
support for our nation's military and have commissioned tens of
thousands of uniformed officers throughout their storied
histories; both schools enroll hundreds of veterans each
semester and are committed to offering new opportunities to our
nation's bravest and to providing supportive, military-friendly
environments; and
WHEREAS, The University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M
University have positioned themselves as preeminent institutions
of higher education on the state, national, and international
levels, and Texans are fortunate to have access to these two
excellent state university systems; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 88th
Legislature, hereby recognize February 15, 2023, as Orange and
Maroon Legislative Day and commend students and alumni from The
University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M University for their
commitment to supporting higher education in the Lone Star State;
and, be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared in
honor of this special occasion.