SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 106

	WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to 
recognize The University of Texas Marine Science Institute on the 
occasion of its 60th anniversary; and

	WHEREAS, The University of Texas Marine Science Institute 
was established by an Act of the Texas Legislature in 1941 
following a massive fish kill near Port Aransas, with the charge 
to conduct basic and applied research aimed at understanding the 
biological, chemical, and physical processes governing the 
coastal zone ecosystem; and

	WHEREAS, The Marine Science Institute has grown to be a 
world-class center of marine research whose scientists work on 
problems of great local and global importance in order to provide 
the citizens of Texas with critical information about and 
understanding of coastal and ocean-related issues; and

	WHEREAS, The Marine Science Institute has been a fertile 
home to some of this country's most important marine scientists, 
including its founder, Dr. Elmer J. Lund, named by American Men 
of Science as one of the first 1,000 scientists in North America; 
Dr. Gordon P. Gunter, for whom the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration named one of its ships; Dr. Howard T. Odum, who is 
considered the father of modern ecology; and Dr. Patrick L. Parker,
whose research the National Science Foundation regards as "one of 
the greatest achievements in chemical oceanography in the last 50 
years"; and

	WHEREAS, For the past 32 years the Marine Science Institute 
has introduced hundreds of thousands of schoolchildren to the 
wonders of the sea through its visiting class program; the 
institute has trained hundreds of schoolteachers using marine 
science as a tool for teaching science, mathematics, art, music, 
and other topics, and it has enlightened tens of thousands of 
visitors per year through public displays, aquaria, and 
educational movies in its visitors center; and

	WHEREAS, The Marine Science Institute's academic branch, 
the Department of Marine Science, has for decades offered 
intensive, field-based college courses for undergraduate 
students and research opportunities for graduate students from 
many universities across the state; and

	WHEREAS, In the 15 years since the graduate program in 
marine science was approved by the Texas Higher Education 
Coordinating Board, The University of Texas at Austin has 
conferred more than 30 doctoral degrees and more than 50 master's 
degrees in marine science to young scholars who now serve the 
State of Texas, other states, the nation, and other countries; 
and

	WHEREAS, The Marine Science Institute modestly refuses to 
count its first five years of existence because of the nation's 
preoccupation with the Second World War, and is this year 
celebrating "60 Years of Science and the Sea"; now, therefore, 
be it

	RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 
79th Legislature, 3rd Called Session, hereby commend 
The University of Texas Marine Science Institute for its long 
and important service to the state and its citizens through 
high-caliber research, outstanding instruction, and exceptional 
public outreach and extend congratulations to the dedicated 
faculty, staff, students, and supporters of the institute on 
its 60th anniversary; and, be it further

	RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for 
The University of Texas Marine Science Institute as an expression 
of high regard from the Texas Legislature.
                                                                        Hinojosa




________________________________ 
    President of the Senate
 
    I hereby certify that the 
above Resolution was adopted by 
the Senate on May 1, 2006.



________________________________ 
    Secretary of the Senate



________________________________ 
     Member, Texas Senate