SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 328 WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to recognize the College of Optometry at the University of Houston, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2003; and WHEREAS, The College of Optometry at the University of Houston is the only optometry school in the State of Texas and the American Southwest; it was founded by the university in cooperation with the Texas Optometric Association in 1952; and WHEREAS, For half a century, this institution has had an outstanding reputation for its work in advancing the science of optometry through the research efforts of its faculty; scientists and collaborators associated with the college's Visual Optics Institute, the only such center in the world, are authorities in the optics and optical abnormalities of the human eye; moreover, the physicians, biomedical scientists, and public health specialists on the faculty yearly hold major research grants that total $3.5 million; and WHEREAS, Graduates of the College of Optometry come from more than 47 states and 48 foreign countries and practice in 49 states and 24 foreign countries; and WHEREAS, The school is a leader in the advanced training of optometrists, and its vision science graduate education program is considered one of the nation's top programs in the field; and WHEREAS, Texans are well served by the College of Optometry, for the majority of optometrists in practice in this state received their degrees from the school; in addition, the college provides needed eye and vision care to 40,000 residents of the Greater Houston area at clinics in multidisciplinary community health centers; and WHEREAS, The College of Optometry is an exemplary model of optometric education, and all Texans should be proud of its many contributions to this important health field; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 78th Legislature, hereby commend the College of Optometry at the University of Houston on its outstanding leadership and contributions to its community and state and extend best wishes for the future to all associated with the college; and, be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared as an expression of esteem from the Texas Senate. Ellis, Gallegos, Whitmire ______________________________ Member, Texas Senate ____________________________________________________________ Member, Texas Senate Member, Texas Senate ______________________________ President of the Senate I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on March 10, 2003. ______________________________ Secretary of the Senate