By Gallego                                             H.R. No. 876
       74R12328 PFG-D
                                  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.