H.R. No. 29
                                  R E S O L U T I O N
    1-1        WHEREAS, The passing of Dr. Ralph Franklin Schilling, Jr., on
    1-2  May 9, 1994, at the age of 72, has brought a great loss to the many
    1-3  friends and relatives of this distinguished Texan; and
    1-4        WHEREAS, Born July 5, 1921, in Morris, Oklahoma, Dr.
    1-5  Schilling received a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Oklahoma
    1-6  City University before earning a master's degree in educational
    1-7  administration from the University of Oklahoma and a doctorate in
    1-8  education from Texas Tech University; and
    1-9        WHEREAS, During his years in college, he became well known
   1-10  for his athletic prowess on the gridiron at the University of
   1-11  Oklahoma and at Oklahoma City University; Dr. Schilling played
   1-12  professionally for the Washington Redskins in 1946 and was an
   1-13  assistant coach at Oklahoma City University from 1947 to 1950; and
   1-14        WHEREAS, Dr. Schilling began a distinguished tenure as
   1-15  president of the University of Texas--Pan American in 1960 and
   1-16  served with great distinction in that capacity for more than two
   1-17  decades until his retirement in 1981; and
   1-18        WHEREAS, Among the most important accomplishments realized
   1-19  during his exceptional tenure was a successful campaign in the
   1-20  state legislature to bring Pan American College into the state
   1-21  university system; his goal was achieved in 1965 and the college
   1-22  became a university in 1971; and
   1-23        WHEREAS, Under Dr. Schilling's expert leadership, the
   1-24  institution experienced an exceptionally vibrant and rewarding
    2-1  period of growth, blossoming from a locally funded college with a
    2-2  staff of 60 educators serving fewer than 1,900 students to a
    2-3  state-supported university employing 400 faculty members to teach
    2-4  its more than 9,000 students; nearly all of the university's
    2-5  current buildings were erected during his tenure as well; and
    2-6        WHEREAS, Deeply committed to the field of higher education,
    2-7  he also led efforts to establish a graduate program at the
    2-8  university and played a key role in the development of the
    2-9  University of Texas--Brownsville; and
   2-10        WHEREAS, In addition, Dr. Schilling was a World War II
   2-11  veteran and an esteemed member of the Masonic order in his
   2-12  community; and
   2-13        WHEREAS, Dr. Schilling was a man of great vision whose
   2-14  remarkable contributions toward the improvement of higher education
   2-15  in South Texas will continue to have a profound effect on the lives
   2-16  of Texas students for generations to come; though his special
   2-17  presence will be missed by all who knew him, his spirit will surely
   2-18  live on in the hearts and minds of the many people whose lives were
   2-19  touched by this exceptional gentleman; now, therefore, be it
   2-20        RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas
   2-21  Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Dr. Ralph Franklin
   2-22  Schilling, Jr., and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his
   2-23  family:  to his wife, Mary Katherine Brooks Schilling of McAllen;
   2-24  to his son, Dr. Ralph F. Schilling III of Torrance, California; and
   2-25  to his many other friends and relatives; and, be it further
   2-26        RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
   2-27  prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas
    3-1  House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of
    3-2  Dr. Ralph Franklin Schilling, Jr.