By: Ratliff S.C.R. No. 77 SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 1-1 WHEREAS, The Legislature of the State of Texas takes great 1-2 pleasure in recognizing the 75th anniversary of the founding of 1-3 Paris Junior College; this fine institution has provided its 1-4 students with exemplary educational and training opportunities 1-5 throughout its existence; and 1-6 WHEREAS, Established in June of 1924, Paris Junior College 1-7 held classes for its first 91 students in the basement of Paris 1-8 High School; in two short years, the college was unanimously 1-9 admitted to membership in the Texas Association of Colleges, which 1-10 meant formal recognition of the school by other educational 1-11 institutions across the state; and 1-12 WHEREAS, Another important milestone was reached in 1934, 1-13 when Paris Junior College was admitted to the Southern Association 1-14 of Colleges and Secondary Schools; this assured the reciprocal 1-15 acceptance of credits between Paris Junior College and any other 1-16 college or university in the territory of the Southern Association 1-17 of Colleges and Secondary Schools; and 1-18 WHEREAS, The beginning of Paris Junior College's 17th year 1-19 saw its relocation to a 39-acre site east of the city; eight years 1-20 later, on the occasion of its 25th anniversary, the college had 1-21 expanded on that same location to encompass a beautiful 193 acres; 1-22 this expansion heralded new independence for the institution; in 1-23 July of 1949, Paris Junior College chose officers from its newly 1-24 elected board of regents, which officially separated the college 2-1 from the high school; and 2-2 WHEREAS, In 1967, Paris Junior College was designated as an 2-3 area technical and vocational school; five vocational/technical 2-4 training courses were provided during the spring semester of 1968, 2-5 and a nurse training program began during the fall semester of 2-6 1968; and 2-7 WHEREAS, Paris Junior College claims two distinctions in the 2-8 history of Texas community colleges; first, it is the oldest Texas 2-9 community college in continuous operation under the same name and 2-10 charter; and second, it was the first junior college to occupy its 2-11 own facility when it moved into the old post office building in 2-12 1925; and 2-13 WHEREAS, Today, Paris Junior College's doors are open to all 2-14 members of the community; the institution's highest priority is its 2-15 students' success; to achieve this goal, the college aims to 2-16 provide a comprehensive experience which will meet the cultural and 2-17 educational needs of Paris citizens and the area's residents; and 2-18 WHEREAS, In the new millennium, this college will continue to 2-19 provide educational opportunities for its community; as always, 2-20 Paris Junior College will perform its work with abundant motivation 2-21 and enthusiasm; now, therefore, be it 2-22 RESOLVED, That the 76th Legislature of the State of Texas 2-23 hereby extend sincere congratulations to Paris Junior College on 2-24 the occasion of its 75th anniversary; and, be it further 2-25 RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be prepared to honor 2-26 this auspicious occasion.