By Horn H.R. No. 490 74R9078 SAJ-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The Texas House of Representatives is proud to honor 1-2 the current class of the Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science 1-3 on the occasion of its visit to the State Capitol; and 1-4 WHEREAS, The Texas Legislature created the academy at the 1-5 University of North Texas in 1987 in response to the need for 1-6 mathematicians, engineers, and scientists to serve the state's 1-7 growing high-technology industry and university research 1-8 laboratories; and 1-9 WHEREAS, This innovative two-year program allows gifted 1-10 students to complete two years of college study during what would 1-11 have been their junior and senior years of high school; upon 1-12 graduation from the program, they receive their high school 1-13 diplomas and approximately 60 hours of college credit; and 1-14 WHEREAS, The academy opened its doors in 1988 and is 1-15 currently instructing its fourth class of students; 200 high school 1-16 juniors are admitted to the program each year, and generous public 1-17 support and financial aid guarantee access to the program for every 1-18 gifted student in the state; and 1-19 WHEREAS, The academy offers an invigorating course of study 1-20 as pupils enroll in many of the university's most challenging 1-21 courses, and its prestigious summer internships allow students to 1-22 conduct independent research under the tutelage of faculty members; 1-23 and 1-24 WHEREAS, These projects have proven to be a most beneficial 2-1 learning experience as several students have gone on to co-author 2-2 research articles for professional journals and have presented 2-3 their findings at local and national meetings; moreover, the 2-4 graduating class of 1994 boasted three semifinalists in the 2-5 renowned Westinghouse Science Talent Search, all of whom based 2-6 their entries on their summer research projects; and 2-7 WHEREAS, The Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science has 2-8 done an admirable job of fostering in its students the creativity, 2-9 curiosity, reasoning ability, and self-discipline that leads to 2-10 independent thought and action and, in doing so, has helped provide 2-11 a solid grounding for all their future endeavors; now, therefore, 2-12 be it 2-13 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas 2-14 Legislature hereby commend the Texas Academy of Mathematics and 2-15 Science for its outstanding efforts to educate our state's future 2-16 academic and research leaders and extend an official welcome to the 2-17 visiting faculty and class members; and, be it further 2-18 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-19 prepared for the Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science as an 2-20 expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives.