H.R. No. 876 R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, On August 31, 1995, Dr. Earl H. Elam will retire 1-2 from his duties as a professor of history and director of the 1-3 Center for Big Bend Studies at Sul Ross State University in Alpine, 1-4 drawing to a close a distinguished academic career that has spanned 1-5 more than two decades; and 1-6 WHEREAS, A native of Wichita Falls, this outstanding Texan 1-7 earned his bachelor's degree in history from Midwestern State 1-8 University and went on to compile impressive achievements as a 1-9 graduate and doctoral student at Texas Tech University, receiving 1-10 his master's degree in American History in 1967, followed by a 1-11 doctorate in history with a concentration in frontier and Western 1-12 American history in 1971; and 1-13 WHEREAS, His stellar education career got off to a rapid 1-14 start when he accepted a position with Sul Ross State University in 1-15 1972 as chairman of the history department and as an associate 1-16 professor; recognized early on as an exceptional teacher and 1-17 administrator, he was made a full professor and director of the 1-18 division of social sciences shortly thereafter; and 1-19 WHEREAS, In 1974, Dr. Elam became vice president for academic 1-20 affairs at the university, in which capacity he provided 1-21 outstanding leadership to the faculty and students of this 1-22 venerable institution for more than a decade; and 1-23 WHEREAS, Throughout his career, this accomplished historian 1-24 has been a popular professor at Sul Ross State University, where he 2-1 has attracted a loyal following among the student body for his 2-2 mastery of Texas, Native American, and modern history, and has 2-3 served as director of the Center for Big Bend Studies at the 2-4 university since 1987; and 2-5 WHEREAS, Over the course of his brilliant career, Dr. Earl H. 2-6 Elam has presided over the educational progress of numerous young 2-7 people at Sul Ross State University and has helped to chronicle the 2-8 bold history of the Lone Star State; in light of his many 2-9 contributions, it is indeed fitting that we honor this exemplary 2-10 scholar for his significant achievements on the occasion of his 2-11 forthcoming retirement; now, therefore, be it 2-12 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas 2-13 Legislature hereby commend Dr. Earl H. Elam for his distinguished 2-14 service to Sul Ross State University and extend to him sincere best 2-15 wishes for continued happiness in the years to come; and, be it 2-16 further 2-17 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-18 prepared for Dr. Elam as an expression of highest regard by the 2-19 Texas House of Representatives.