By: Ellis S.R. No. 1261 1-1 SENATE RESOLUTION 1-2 WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas takes pride in 1-3 recognizing Dr. James H. Pickering for his loyal service as 1-4 president of the University of Houston, Texas' largest urban 1-5 comprehensive teaching and research university; and 1-6 WHEREAS, Dr. Pickering became the university's ninth 1-7 president in April of 1992 after having served as the Dean of the 1-8 College of Humanities, Fine Arts and Communication, Interim and 1-9 Senior Vice-President for Academic Affairs, and Acting President; 1-10 and 1-11 WHEREAS, During his 14-year administrative career at the 1-12 University of Houston, Dr. Pickering fostered the classic 1-13 synergistic relationship between teaching and research and 1-14 demonstrated how partnerships between the university and the 1-15 community define and further the ideal of the 21st century urban 1-16 university; and 1-17 WHEREAS, A talented administrator who is well experienced 1-18 and versatile, Dr. Pickering holds a doctorate degree from 1-19 Northwestern University; he served as a professor at Northwestern 1-20 University, and prior to joining the University of Houston, he 1-21 served as a professor of English and as the director of the Honors 1-22 College at Michigan State University; and 1-23 WHEREAS, A recognized scholar of American literature, 2-1 Dr. Pickering is the author or editor of 31 books, as well as of 2-2 numerous articles and reviews; his short story anthology, Fiction 2-3 100, is in its seventh edition and is used extensively in 2-4 literature programs around the country; his recent writing has 2-5 focused on the 19th and early 20th century history of the Rocky 2-6 Mountain West; and 2-7 WHEREAS, Believing that the liberal arts and sciences provide 2-8 the best preparation for the professions, Dr. Pickering played a 2-9 leading role during the last decade in designing an improved 2-10 undergraduate curriculum for Texas colleges and universities; and 2-11 WHEREAS, While president of the University of Houston, 2-12 Dr. Pickering helped to create the university's Honors College and 2-13 the Scholars' Community, a new and innovative program designed to 2-14 serve commuting students; and 2-15 WHEREAS, An expert in the field of education and a leader in 2-16 the Houston community, Dr. Pickering serves as a consultant to 2-17 numerous school districts and colleges; he is active with the 2-18 Houston Area Research Council, the Houston Grand Opera, the 2-19 National Center for Urban Participation, Children at Risk, and 2-20 the Greater Houston Coalition for Excellence in Education; and 2-21 WHEREAS, Dr. Pickering's distinguished leadership has 2-22 contributed greatly to the quality of education provided by Texas 2-23 schools, colleges, and universities, and he has played a major role 2-24 in making the University of Houston the exceptional institution it 2-25 is today; now, therefore, be it 3-1 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 3-2 74th Legislature, hereby commend Dr. James Pickering on his 3-3 notable accomplishments and his many contributions to the 3-4 University of Houston and extend best wishes to him in the years 3-5 ahead; and, be it further 3-6 RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for him 3-7 as an expression of esteem from the Texas Senate. 3-8 ______________________________________ 3-9 President of the Senate 3-10 I hereby certify that the above 3-11 Resolution was adopted by the Senate 3-12 on May 26, 1995. 3-13 ______________________________________ 3-14 Secretary of the Senate 3-15 ______________________________________ 3-16 Member, Texas Senate