By Counts H.R. No. 247 77R5986 MMS-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The August 31, 2001, retirement of Dr. Harry L. 1-2 Krenek as president of Western Texas College in Snyder will bring 1-3 to a close a distinguished 15-year tenure at the helm of this 1-4 institution and a career of nearly 40 years in the field of 1-5 education; and 1-6 WHEREAS, Dr. Krenek was born in Elgin in 1941; after 1-7 graduating from Elgin High School he received a bachelor's degree 1-8 from Howard Payne University in 1963, a master's degree from 1-9 Southwest Texas State University in 1967, and a doctorate in 1-10 history from Texas Tech University in 1978; he has also done 1-11 graduate work at the University of Oklahoma and the University of 1-12 Nebraska; and 1-13 WHEREAS, This accomplished educator began his teaching career 1-14 at Aransas County High School in Rockport in 1963; he moved on to 1-15 hold positions as an instructor at Sul Ross State University and 1-16 Texas Tech University before joining the faculty at Western Texas 1-17 College in 1972; and 1-18 WHEREAS, An instructor and then dean of instruction at 1-19 Western Texas College, Dr. Krenek assumed the presidency of this 1-20 two-year community college in 1986; under his capable guidance, the 1-21 school has been providing preprofessional work, general study, 1-22 occupational programs, and continuing education to some 1,300 1-23 students per semester; and 1-24 WHEREAS, Dr. Krenek's leadership was crucial in steering 2-1 Western Texas College through difficult times to its present 2-2 flourishing condition; when a slump in the oil industry eroded the 2-3 local tax base, Western Texas College responded with successful 2-4 initiatives in workforce training; the college has trained 2-5 correctional officers, emergency medical technicians, child-care 2-6 workers, and the first workers at a new textile plant, programs 2-7 that have given a tremendous boost to the community; and 2-8 WHEREAS, The acquisition of state-of-the-art interactive 2-9 television has enabled Western Texas College students to take 2-10 classes from Midwestern State University and earn bachelor's 2-11 degrees without leaving campus; the technology has also made it 2-12 possible to offer required pesticide classes to area farmers and 2-13 seminars to prison inmates, supplementing the academic and 2-14 vocational courses taught within the prison units; and 2-15 WHEREAS, While helping Western Texas College retain its 2-16 traditional programs and simultaneously evolve in new directions, 2-17 Dr. Krenek has given generously of his time and talents to numerous 2-18 community organizations, including the Snyder Chamber of Commerce, 2-19 Historic Scurry County, Inc., West Texas Historical Society, 2-20 American Cancer Society, and Scurry County Senior Center; he has 2-21 received the Vestal Award from the City of Snyder and the Hometown 2-22 Spirit Award in recognition of his outstanding community service; 2-23 and 2-24 WHEREAS, Greatly respected by his colleagues and fellow 2-25 citizens for his integrity and untiring commitment, Dr. Krenek has 2-26 helped Western Texas College to thrive and to be a vital partner in 2-27 the community's development, and it is indeed a pleasure to pay 3-1 tribute to such a dedicated and visionary public servant; now, 3-2 therefore, be it 3-3 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas 3-4 Legislature hereby honor Dr. Harry L. Krenek on the occasion of his 3-5 retirement as president of Western Texas College and extend to him 3-6 its deep appreciation for his exemplary leadership; and, be it 3-7 further 3-8 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 3-9 prepared for Dr. Krenek as an expression of high regard by the 3-10 Texas House of Representatives.