By Dutton H.R. No. 1059 77R15978 MJS-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, Wilberforce University's National Alumni Association 1-2 has selected Houston as the site of its 2001 National Alumni 1-3 Conference, to be held on July 25-29; and 1-4 WHEREAS, Established in 1856 in Wilberforce, Ohio, the 1-5 university holds the singular distinction of being the first 1-6 private institution of higher education to be owned and operated by 1-7 African Americans; and 1-8 WHEREAS, This outstanding university has a distinguished 1-9 history and has played an integral role in helping educate and 1-10 develop thousands of young African American men and women 1-11 throughout the nation; and 1-12 WHEREAS, Under the astute leadership of President John L. 1-13 Henderson, the school is building on its proud heritage while 1-14 continuing to meet the needs of its diverse student body; it is one 1-15 of two four-year institutions in the country with a mandatory 1-16 cooperative education program, which combines academic instruction 1-17 in the liberal arts and sciences with regular employment 1-18 experiences; and 1-19 WHEREAS, Wilberforce University's alumni chapter in Houston 1-20 is serving as the host of this year's National Alumni Conference, 1-21 which is expected to draw approximately 500 delegates from across 1-22 the country; the primary goal of the conference is to raise funds 1-23 for the university's scholarship program to benefit future college 1-24 students; and 2-1 WHEREAS, Throughout the years, the school has demonstrated a 2-2 deep commitment to furthering education in the United States and 2-3 takes great pride in its time-honored traditions and many 2-4 successful alumni, and it is most appropriate to pay tribute to 2-5 Wilberforce University and its alumni association; now, therefore, 2-6 be it 2-7 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas 2-8 Legislature hereby commend Wilberforce University on the occasion 2-9 of its National Alumni Conference in Houston and extend to all 2-10 those associated with this event sincere best wishes for an 2-11 enjoyable and memorable visit to the Lone Star State; and, be it 2-12 further 2-13 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-14 prepared for Wilberforce University's National Alumni Association 2-15 as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of 2-16 Representatives.