H.R. No. 290
                                  R E S O L U T I O N
    1-1        WHEREAS, For 72 years, Stephen F. Austin State University has
    1-2  contributed to the quality of Texas higher education, providing an
    1-3  array of challenging course work to prepare its students for
    1-4  productive and fulfilling careers; and
    1-5        WHEREAS, Founded by the Texas Legislature in 1921, the school
    1-6  began as a teacher's college with only 158 students; with the surge
    1-7  of college enrollment caused by an influx of returning veterans
    1-8  eager to take advantage of the educational opportunities afforded
    1-9  by the G.I. Bill after World War II, SFA grew dramatically in size
   1-10  and scope; and
   1-11        WHEREAS, The university experienced another dramatic period
   1-12  of growth and development in the early 1960s, when it began
   1-13  attracting students from other areas of the state in increasing
   1-14  numbers, becoming a truly statewide institution of higher learning
   1-15  for all Texans; and
   1-16        WHEREAS, During each era, SFA responded to the wide range of
   1-17  interests of its changing student population by increasing its
   1-18  spectrum of subject matter and majors to include such programs as
   1-19  nursing, social work, criminal justice, agriculture,
   1-20  communications, and forestry; and
   1-21        WHEREAS, From the school's opening on September 18, 1923, to
   1-22  the present, the presidents of this fine institution have, with
   1-23  vision and wisdom, contributed to its success; these insightful
   1-24  leaders have included Alton William Birdwell, former dean of
    2-1  Southwest Texas State Teacher's College; Dr. Paul Lewis Boynton,
    2-2  former professor of psychology at George Peabody College; Dr. Ralph
    2-3  Wright Steen, former head of the department of history and
    2-4  government at Texas A&M University; Dr. William R. Johnson, former
    2-5  vice president for academic affairs at Texas Tech University; Dr.
    2-6  Donald E. Bowen, former vice president for academic affairs at
    2-7  Southwest Missouri State University; and Dr. Dan Angel, former
    2-8  president of Austin Community College; and
    2-9        WHEREAS, Today, this exceptional university educates more
   2-10  than 12,500 students each term; with its unique student-oriented
   2-11  programs, SFA enjoys substantial popularity within the state's
   2-12  university system; and
   2-13        WHEREAS, The university's Student Government Association is a
   2-14  valuable instrument through which students express concerns and
   2-15  suggestions to faculty and staff; comprising an executive,
   2-16  legislative, and judicial branch, this group serves as an important
   2-17  advocate for student ideas and opinions in the efficient operations
   2-18  of this university; and
   2-19        WHEREAS, Stephen F. Austin State University has played a
   2-20  significant role in the development of this state by imparting
   2-21  knowledge to generations of Texans, and the achievements of this
   2-22  outstanding institution are indeed worthy of special emphasis and
   2-23  recognition; now, therefore, be it
   2-24        RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas
   2-25  Legislature hereby recognize March 1, 1995, as Stephen F. Austin
   2-26  State University Day at the Capitol and join with the students,
   2-27  faculty, and alumni in paying tribute to this great institution of
    3-1  learning; and, be it further
    3-2        RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
    3-3  prepared for Stephen F. Austin State University as a commemoration
    3-4  of this grand occasion and as an expression of highest regard by
    3-5  the Texas House of Representatives.