H.R. No. 329



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, Stepping down from his post as commissioner of the 
Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board in May 2004, Don W. Brown 
is bringing to a close a noteworthy 20-year tenure with the 
coordinating board; and
	WHEREAS, Initially hired in 1983, Dr. Brown was appointed 
deputy commissioner in 1988 and commissioner in 1997; playing a 
vital role in the creation and implementation of the state's 
15-year education plan, "Closing the Gap by 2015," Dr. Brown has 
worked diligently with higher education officials, public 
education officials, business leaders, civic leaders, legislators, 
other elected officials, and Texans from every background and 
region of the state to develop wide consensus for closing the gaps 
that exist in education across the state in such areas as student 
participation, student success, academic excellence, and research; 
and
	WHEREAS, Committed to cooperation between higher education 
and public education, he has been instrumental in the development 
of the P-16 council and related programs, which  continue to promote 
and support strong partnerships among colleges, universities, 
school districts, parents, businesses, and other organizations; 
and
	WHEREAS, He oversaw the development of a number of other 
higher education innovations, including the Supply/Demand Pathway, 
which was created to ensure the most efficient use of the state's 
higher education resources, and the Texas Public Education 
Information Resource, a joint project managed by the Texas 
Education Agency, the State Board for Educator Certification, and 
the coordinating board that is designed to provide ready access to 
public and higher education data for making effective decisions on 
education policies; and
	WHEREAS, Dr. Brown's unassuming manner, his congenial 
temperament, and his gracious style do not hide his firm resolve and 
tenacious belief in the goal of excellence for the college 
education of Texas students; his two decades of efforts toward that 
end have made and will continue to make a positive and lasting 
difference in the education of our students and, as a result, in the 
future of our state; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 78th Texas 
Legislature, 4th Called Session, hereby commend Dr. Don W. Brown on 
the occasion of his retirement as Texas Commissioner of Higher 
Education, honor him for his years of exemplary service to the State 
of Texas, and extend to him deep appreciation for the important work 
that he continues to do in support of excellence in education; and, 
be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for Dr. Brown as an expression of high regard by the Texas 
House of Representatives.

                                                                        Morrison

                                                  ______________________________
                                                       Speaker of the House     

	I certify that H.R. No. 329 was adopted by the House on May 
17, 2004, by a non-record vote.

                                                  ______________________________
                                                     Chief Clerk of the House