1-1                                       1

 1-2                          SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 560

 1-3           WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas takes pleasure

 1-4     in recognizing the Honorable Leonard H. O. Spearman, Sr., for

 1-5     his exceptional contributions to his state and the nation; and

 1-6           WHEREAS, Throughout his notable career, Dr. Spearman has

 1-7     served honorably and faithfully whether as a professor of law,

 1-8     a university president, or an ambassador representing the

 1-9     United States; and

1-10           WHEREAS, His influence in the world of international

1-11     diplomacy has been felt in emerging countries, where he worked

1-12     to establish educational programs and initiatives in the nations

1-13     of southern Africa; and

1-14           WHEREAS, A native of Florida, Leonard Spearman has made

1-15     his home in Texas for many years; after completing his bachelor

1-16     of science degree from Florida A&M University, Dr. Spearman

1-17     earned his master's degree and doctoral degree from the

1-18     University of Michigan; for his postdoctoral study, he received

1-19     a National Science Foundation fellowship; and

1-20           WHEREAS, He served on the faculties of Florida A&M

1-21     University and Texas Southern University, rising to the rank

1-22     of full professor; during his tenure, Professor Spearman

1-23     implemented programs for disadvantaged young people that enabled

 2-1     them to enroll in postsecondary education courses and pioneered

 2-2     the establishment of the lower division concept for students

 2-3     entering college; and

 2-4           WHEREAS, As a result of his work, Dr. Spearman joined

 2-5     the federal government as associate assistant secretary for

 2-6     postsecondary programs and was recognized by NASFAA as one of

 2-7     the 25 most influential voices in the United States for his

 2-8     contributions to higher education; and

 2-9           WHEREAS, In 1980, Dr. Spearman accepted the presidency

2-10     of Texas Southern University and, during the next six years,

2-11     he provided the leadership necessary for major expansion of the

2-12     university's resources; under his guidance, accreditation was

2-13     granted for existing programs and new programs were added; and

2-14           WHEREAS, After resigning as president of Texas Southern

2-15     University in 1986, the highly acclaimed educator was appointed

2-16     by President Ronald Reagan to serve as the envoy to the Republic

2-17     of Rwanda and, later, by President Bush to the Kingdom of Lesotho;

2-18     and

2-19           WHEREAS, Since his return to the faculty of Texas Southern

2-20     University as a distinguished professor, Dr. Spearman has expanded

2-21     the influence of the university nationally and internationally; he

2-22     continues to share his expertise with government officials to

2-23     promote new enterprises between the United States and South Africa;

2-24     now, therefore, be it

2-25           RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,

 3-1     75th Legislature, hereby express its appreciation to the Honorable

 3-2     Leonard H. O. Spearman, Sr., for his outstanding accomplishments

 3-3     and extend best wishes to him in his future endeavors; and, be it

 3-4     further

 3-5           RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for

 3-6     him as an expression of the high regard of the Texas Senate.

 3-7                                                                   Ellis

 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 April 23, 1997.

3-13                                  ______________________________________

3-14                                          Secretary of the Senate

3-15                                  ______________________________________

3-16                                           Member, Texas Senate