1-1                                     1                                  
 1-2                          SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 428
 1-3           WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to
 1-4     recognize Prairie View A&M University on the grand occasion of
 1-5     its 125th anniversary; and
 1-6           WHEREAS, The first state-supported college in Texas for
 1-7     African Americans, Prairie View A&M University was established
 1-8     by the 15th Legislature on August 14, 1876, as Alta Vista
 1-9     Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas for Colored Youth;
1-10     on March 11, 1878, eight young men became the college's first
1-11     students; and
1-12           WHEREAS, The school underwent several name changes over
1-13     the years:  in 1889, the 26th Legislature changed the name
1-14     to Prairie View State Normal & Industrial College; in 1945,
1-15     the name was changed to Prairie View University by the
1-16     49th Legislature; and in 1973, the 63rd Legislature changed
1-17     the name to Prairie View A&M University; and
1-18           WHEREAS, The Prairie View A&M University campus is
1-19     comprised of slightly more than 1,400 acres; the land was
1-20     the former Alta Vista Plantation and was purchased during the
1-21     1870s by the board of directors from Mrs. Helen Marr Kirby,
1-22     the widow of Colonel Jared Ellison Kirby; and
 2-1           WHEREAS, Today, the major feeder high schools for
 2-2     Prairie View A&M University are located in the Houston,
 2-3     Dallas-Fort Worth, and Waller-Hempstead areas; the
 2-4     enrollment has increased to approximately 6,600 students,
 2-5     and the institution's budget is over $90 million; since 1985,
 2-6     over $140 million has been invested in the university's
 2-7     infrastructure; and
 2-8           WHEREAS, The university is fortunate to have exceptionally
 2-9     fine executive officers and faculty members; Dr. Charles A. Hines
2-10     joined the university in 1994 as its president, and his excellent
2-11     leadership has moved the institution further into the academic
2-12     mainstream; and
2-13           WHEREAS, The students are now benefitting from a new
2-14     privatized housing program, a new science building, and a
2-15     student park and community center; the university's endowed
2-16     funds and reserve funds are the highest in recent years, and the
2-17     state-authorized School of Juvenile Justice now offers the first
2-18     master's degree program in the nation in juvenile justice and a
2-19     doctorate degree in juvenile justice, the first doctorate degree
2-20     offering in the history of the university; and
2-21           WHEREAS, The faculty, administration, and members of the
2-22     board of trustees of Prairie View A&M University are committed to
2-23     providing the students of our state with a first-rate education,
2-24     and their success is evident in the excellent reputation the
 3-1     university enjoys today; now, therefore, be it
 3-2           RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
 3-3     77th Legislature, hereby express congratulations to
 3-4     Prairie View A&M University on the occasion of its 125th
 3-5     anniversary and extend appreciation to the university for
 3-6     its many contributions to higher education in our state;
 3-7     and, be it further
 3-8           RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
 3-9     Prairie View A&M University as an expression of esteem from the
3-10     Texas Senate.
3-11                                                                   Ogden
3-12                                  ______________________________________
3-13                                          President of the Senate
3-14                                       I hereby certify that the above
3-15                                  Resolution was adopted by the Senate
3-16                                  on March 12, 2001.
3-17                                  ______________________________________
3-18                                          Secretary of the Senate
3-19                                  ______________________________________
3-20                                           Member, Texas Senate