H.C.R. No. 22 HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION WHEREAS, Dr. James Olson, a psychology professor at The University of Texas Permian Basin, is celebrating 50 years of service at the university; and WHEREAS, A native of Southern California, James Olson earned his bachelor's degree from the University of California Santa Barbara in 1969, and during his undergraduate years, he contributed to a groundbreaking project that sought to teach language to chimpanzees; he went on to receive a master's degree and doctorate in psychology from the University of California, Los Angeles; in 1973, he became one of the founding faculty members of The University of Texas Permian Basin; and WHEREAS, Over the course of his career at UTPB, Dr. Olson has excelled in his teaching duties and has served as chair of the psychology, sociology, and criminology departments; in 1994, he became the first dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and served in that role for a decade; currently, he holds the R. V. Cardozier endowed professorship and teaches both undergraduate and master's level psychology courses; he has coauthored multiple books, including two titles based on interviews he conducted with residential burglars, and his work on the subject has received national media attention; and WHEREAS, Dr. Olson has earned a number of prestigious teaching honors, including the Piper Professor Award in 2011 and the Regents' Outstanding Teaching Award from The University of Texas System in 2012; and WHEREAS, Dr. James Olson's dedication, expertise, and commitment to excellence have benefited countless students and brought him significant renown in the field of psychology, and The University of Texas Permian Basin is indeed fortunate to count him among its most esteemed faculty members; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the 89th Legislature of the State of Texas hereby commend Dr. James Olson on 50 years of service to The University of Texas Permian Basin and extend to him sincere best wishes for continued success and happiness; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for Dr. Olson as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives and Senate. Craddick ______________________________ ______________________________ President of the Senate Speaker of the House I certify that H.C.R. No. 22 was adopted by the House on March 10, 2025, by a non-record vote. ______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House I certify that H.C.R. No. 22 was adopted by the Senate on March 19, 2025, by a viva-voce vote. ______________________________ Secretary of the Senate APPROVED: __________________ Date __________________ Governor