By Clark H.R. No. 453 76R8973 JBR-F R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, Community colleges are uniquely American 1-2 institutions of higher learning that have become a profoundly 1-3 significant element of the nation's cultural, social, and economic 1-4 fabric; and 1-5 WHEREAS, North Central Texas College (NCTC), which was 1-6 established in 1924 by Randolph Lee Clark, is the oldest 1-7 continuously operated public two-year college in Texas; Mr. Clark 1-8 is recognized as one of the state's educational pioneers, thus 1-9 assuring the college he founded a prominent place in the history of 1-10 public higher education in this state; and 1-11 WHEREAS, Students attending NCTC and other public community 1-12 colleges in Texas account for more than 50 percent of the state's 1-13 public higher education enrollment, including more than 70 percent 1-14 of the freshmen and sophomores, over 60 percent of the minority 1-15 students, and more than 90 percent of students in technical 1-16 education programs for adults; and 1-17 WHEREAS, Through an open-door admissions policy, low costs, 1-18 and close geographical proximity, NCTC continues to offer the 1-19 citizens of Cooke, Denton, and Montague counties easy access to the 1-20 benefits of higher education, workforce training, and lifelong 1-21 learning; and 1-22 WHEREAS, Since its inception, NCTC has provided thousands of 1-23 local area students a gateway to advanced study at the university 1-24 level through smaller classes, individualized instruction by a 2-1 caring faculty, and a guiding philosophy that students always come 2-2 first; and 2-3 WHEREAS, Functioning as a key member of its service area's 2-4 economic development team, NCTC provides essential workforce 2-5 training and service as a central element of the overall enticement 2-6 package that can be offered to new business and industry prospects; 2-7 and 2-8 WHEREAS, North Central Texas College continues to grow in 2-9 importance as a center for cultural, social, and intellectual 2-10 pursuits for citizens of all ages and backgrounds, thereby 2-11 enriching its service area's diversity and quality of life; now, 2-12 therefore, be it 2-13 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 76th Texas 2-14 Legislature hereby commemorate the 75th anniversary of North 2-15 Central Texas College and extend sincere best wishes to all those 2-16 who have contributed to the success of this remarkable institution; 2-17 and, be it further 2-18 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-19 prepared for North Central Texas College as an expression of high 2-20 regard by the Texas House of Representatives.