By Coleman                                       H.R. No. 179

      75R6009 JHS-D                           

                                 R E S O L U T I O N

 1-1           WHEREAS, For 50 years, the faculty and staff of Houston's

 1-2     University of St. Thomas have been providing students with a high

 1-3     quality education rooted in the study of philosophy and theology;

 1-4     and

 1-5           WHEREAS, What began as an undergraduate liberal arts college

 1-6     with 40 students and eight faculty members has grown into a

 1-7     venerable institution of 2,500 students and 200 faculty members

 1-8     that boasts one of Houston's most elite business schools; and

 1-9           WHEREAS, Founded in 1947 by the Basilian Fathers, the

1-10     University of St. Thomas was the first coeducational Catholic

1-11     Basilian college in the United States; it has since been rated one

1-12     of the top 10 universities in the western United States, and it has

1-13     also been named among the five best small comprehensive

1-14     universities in the nation; and

1-15           WHEREAS, The prestigious Cameron School of Business offers

1-16     several undergraduate business degrees as well as master's degrees

1-17     in business administration and accounting, while the university's

1-18     standard undergraduate curriculum includes study in English,

1-19     foreign languages, history, mathematics, and the natural and social

1-20     sciences; and

1-21           WHEREAS, The university's picturesque 22-acre urban campus

1-22     features many unique and interesting structures, including the

1-23     Academic Mall and the soon-to-be-completed Chapel of St. Basil,

1-24     both designed by world-renowned architect Philip Johnson; and

 2-1           WHEREAS, The importance of pursuing intellectual edification

 2-2     cannot be overstated, and for 50 years the University of St. Thomas

 2-3     has been providing this opportunity for students from around the

 2-4     world; as the school begins its second half century, it is truly a

 2-5     privilege to recognize its remarkable and inspirational

 2-6     achievement; now, therefore, be it

 2-7           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 75th Texas

 2-8     Legislature hereby commemorate the 50th anniversary of the

 2-9     University of St. Thomas and extend sincere best wishes to the

2-10     faculty, staff, and students of this remarkable institution on this

2-11     momentous occasion; and, be it further

2-12           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be

2-13     prepared for the University of St. Thomas as an expression of high

2-14     regard by the Texas House of Representatives.