79R3398 JNC-D

By:  Brown of Brazos                                              H.R. No. 83 



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, Texas A&M University lost a gifted leader with the 
passing of Dr. Frank E. Vandiver, on January 7, 2005; and
	WHEREAS, Dr. Vandiver served with distinction as the 19th 
president of Texas A&M University from 1981 to 1988, and under his 
able guidance, the institution set its sights on becoming a 
world-class university, hiring its first Nobel Laureate and 
Pulitzer Prize winners, creating a Faculty Senate, and surpassing 
the $100 million mark in budgeted research and the $1 billion mark 
in endowment; and
	WHEREAS, In addition to his exceptional tenure with Texas 
A&M, Dr. Vandiver skillfully led as interim president of the 
American University in Cairo, president of North Texas State 
University, provost of Rice University, and acting president of 
Rice University; and
	WHEREAS, Dr. Vandiver dedicated his intellect and energy to 
his chosen field, serving as historian of the U.S. Civil Service; 
Air Force historian in Montgomery, Alabama; instructor and 
assistant professor at Washington University; assistant, 
associate, and Harrison Master, Jr., professor of history at Rice 
University; Harmsworth Professor of American History at Oxford 
University; visiting professor of military history at West Point; 
and as holder of the John and Sara H. Lindsey Chair in Humanities 
and Distinguished University President of Texas A&M University from 
1988 until his passing; and
	WHEREAS, The author of 20 historical books, this accomplished 
gentleman wrote the definitive biographies Mighty Stonewall and 
Black Jack: The Life and Times of John J. Pershing, which was a 
finalist for the National Book Awards in 1978; his other works 
include Ploughshares into Swords: Josiah Gorgas and Confederate 
Ordnance, Rebel Brass: The Confederate Command System, Jubal's 
Raid: General Early's Famous Attack on Washington in 1864, Their 
Tattered Flags: The Epic of the Confederacy, Blood Brothers: A 
Short History of the Civil War, Shadows of Vietnam: Lyndon 
Johnson's War, and numerous articles and essays on military 
history; and
	WHEREAS, Dr. Vandiver devoted his life to the pursuit of 
knowledge through scholarly endeavor, encouraging students of all 
ages, and serving on countless boards and committees, including the 
Department of the Army, Office of the Chief of Military History, 
Advisory Council; National Council of the Humanities; the Rhodes 
Scholarship Selection Committee for Texas; the Association of 
American Colleges, Educational Advisory Committee, U.S. Command 
and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas; the Committee 
on Armed Services, U.S. Senate, Outside Expert for Defense 
Reorganization Project; Board of Visitors, U.S. Air Force Air 
University; the New York Academy of Sciences; the Secretary of 
Defense's Total Force Policy Study Group; the Secretary of the Air 
Force's History Advisory Committee; and the National Historical 
Publications and Records Commission; and
	WHEREAS, Throughout his time on this earth, Frank Vandiver 
was widely respected as a man of wisdom and integrity, who gave 
unstintingly of his energies and talents in whatever mission he 
undertook; his purposeful life was rich in family, friends, and 
accomplishments, and although he will be greatly missed by all who 
knew him, his spirit will live on in the hearts of the many people 
whose lives he touched; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas 
Legislature hereby pay special tribute to the life of Dr. Frank E. 
Vandiver and extend deepest sympathy to his wife, Renee; to his 
children, Nita Jackson, Nancy Wahl, and Frank A. Vandiver; and to 
all those who mourn the passing of this esteemed Texan; and, be it 
further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas House 
of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of 
Dr. Frank E. Vandiver.