R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, Southwest Texas State University has been chosen by 1-2 the Association of Teacher Educators as one of three national 1-3 finalists for the Distinguished Program in Teacher Education Award; 1-4 and 1-5 WHEREAS, Originally created to prepare teachers for public 1-6 schools in Texas, Southwest Texas State University has developed 1-7 into a multipurpose educational institution of national stature, 1-8 but it has continued to focus on its original mission; and 1-9 WHEREAS, In 1995, Southwest Texas State University's Teacher 1-10 Education Program was approved as a center for professional 1-11 development by the State Board for Educator Certification, and that 1-12 same year it was designated an exemplary program in staff 1-13 development by the National Council of States; and 1-14 WHEREAS, The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board has 1-15 recognized the school's teacher education program for its emphasis 1-16 on the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills in reading taught in 1-17 public schools; and 1-18 WHEREAS, Realizing that the duties of a classroom teacher 1-19 encompass more than the learning experience, Southwest Texas State 1-20 University's Center for Initiatives in Education has trained more 1-21 than 22,000 educators to cope successfully with such issues as 1-22 discipline, substance abuse, gangs, teen pregnancy, dropouts, 1-23 disabilities, and cultural diversity; and 1-24 WHEREAS, The university has maintained successful 2-1 partnerships with Central Texas public schools in a variety of 2-2 areas, including the development of field-based teacher preparation 2-3 programs; and 2-4 WHEREAS, Throughout its history, Southwest Texas State 2-5 University has made significant contributions to fostering 2-6 excellence among classroom teachers in the Lone Star State, and it 2-7 is indeed appropriate that the school be commended for its efforts 2-8 in light of this most recent accolade; now, therefore, be it 2-9 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 76th Texas 2-10 Legislature hereby congratulate Southwest Texas State University on 2-11 its selection as one of three national finalists for the 2-12 Distinguished Program in Teacher Education Award; and, be it 2-13 further 2-14 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-15 prepared for Southwest Texas State University as an expression of 2-16 high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Green _______________________________ Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 730 was adopted by the House on May 5, 1999, by a non-record vote. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House