By:  Turner                                            S.R. No. 887
    1-1                           SENATE RESOLUTION
    1-2        WHEREAS, Dr. James H. Atkinson, President Emeritus of Blinn
    1-3  College, is the 1995 recipient of the Jefferson-Jackson Award, and
    1-4  the Texas Senate is proud to extend congratulations to him for this
    1-5  noteworthy achievement; and
    1-6        WHEREAS, Bestowed by the Democratic Club of Washington County,
    1-7  the Jefferson-Jackson Award recognizes Mr. Atkinson as one who
    1-8  personifies the Jeffersonian and Jacksonian ideals fundamental
    1-9  to Democratic Party principles; and
   1-10        WHEREAS, The lifelong Democrat served as a Democratic State
   1-11  Convention delegate from Washington County and as county campaign
   1-12  chairman for several candidates; he was influential in political
   1-13  circles and held numerous leadership positions; and
   1-14        WHEREAS, A native of Williamson County, James Atkinson
   1-15  graduated from Georgetown High School and earned a bachelor of
   1-16  arts degree from Southwestern University, a master of education
   1-17  from the University of Houston, and a doctor of letters from Houston
   1-18  Baptist University; he completed post-graduate studies at Texas A&M
   1-19  University and The University of Texas; and
   1-20        WHEREAS, He taught three years in La Grange and Llano before
   1-21  serving in World War II in the European Theater of Operations in
   1-22  the 8th and 9th Air Forces, rising to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel;
   1-23  and
    2-1        WHEREAS, After becoming principal of Cypress-Fairbanks High
    2-2  School in 1946, he joined Blinn College as athletic director and head
    2-3  coach in 1947 and became dean of the college in 1949; Dr. Atkinson
    2-4  assumed the role of President of the college in 1957 and remained
    2-5  in that capacity for 27 years; and
    2-6        WHEREAS, During his illustrious tenure, Dr. Atkinson guided
    2-7  the college through a period of tremendous growth and development,
    2-8  responsible fiscal management, and academic direction that resulted
    2-9  in Blinn College becoming recognized as one of the state's leading
   2-10  two-year colleges; and
   2-11        WHEREAS, In Brenham and Washington County, the respected
   2-12  individual held numerous leadership positions and freely gave of
   2-13  his time and energies to benefit the citizens of the area; and
   2-14        WHEREAS, Dr. Atkinson has received countless honors and awards
   2-15  from a grateful community for his exceptional contributions and for
   2-16  his lifetime of service to others; now, therefore, be it
   2-17        RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
   2-18  74th Legislature, hereby commend Dr. James H. Atkinson for his
   2-19  meritorious accomplishments and express its deep appreciation to
   2-20  him for his exemplary life; and, be it further
   2-21        RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for the
   2-22  esteemed gentleman as a token of the admiration of the Texas Senate.
   2-23                               ______________________________________
   2-24                                       President of the Senate
   2-25                                    I hereby certify that the above
    3-1                               Resolution was adopted by the Senate
    3-2                               on May 2, 1995.
    3-3                               ______________________________________
    3-4                                       Secretary of the Senate
    3-5                               ______________________________________
    3-6                                         Member, Texas Senate