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