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                                                                  H.R. No. 250



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, Dr. Blandina Cardenas has been named the seventh 
president of The University of Texas-Pan American, and this 
exciting milestone offers an apt opportunity to reflect on this 
outstanding educator's many contributions to the community and to 
recognize her status as the university's first woman president; and
	WHEREAS, A native Texan, Dr. Cardenas received her bachelor's 
degree in journalism from The University of Texas at Austin before 
completing her doctoral work in education administration at the 
University of Massachusetts at Amherst; and
	WHEREAS, From 1989 to 1992, Dr. Cardenas was affiliated with 
the LBJ Institute at the former Southwest Texas State University, 
serving as director of the Southwest Center on Values, Achievement 
and Community in Education; she has also contributed to her field as 
director of the Office of Minorities in Higher Education at the 
American Council on Education; and
	WHEREAS, Her previous experience additionally includes 
tenure at The University of Texas at San Antonio, where she was 
professor and dean of the College of Education, and she brings to 
her new position a firm grasp of the challenges and opportunities 
that will shape institutions of higher education in the 21st 
century; and
	WHEREAS, Known for her expertise and judgment by her fellow 
educators and her colleagues in government, Dr. Cardenas is a 
founding board member of the Fundacion Solidaridad Mexicana 
Americana and has served as chairperson of the board of trustees of 
the Educational Testing Service; she also served two six-year terms 
as a member of the United States Commission on Civil Rights; and
	WHEREAS, Dr. Cardenas has been the recipient of numerous 
awards, including honorary degrees from Notre Dame University, Kean 
College of New Jersey, and St. Mary's College of Indiana; she has 
also received the National Education Association Human Rights 
Award, the Washington Committee of the National Association for the 
Advancement of Colored People's Human Rights Award, the La Raza 
Award from the National Council of La Raza, and the highest honor 
bestowed by the government of Mexico on foreign citizens, induction 
into the Orden del Aguila Azteca; and
	WHEREAS, The selection of Dr. Cardenas for the rigorous and 
rewarding work of leading UTPA ensures that this dynamic 
educational institution's future is in highly competent hands, and 
all associated with the university will no doubt benefit from her 
steady stewardship; and
	WHEREAS, Representative Aaron Pena has justly recognized Dr. 
Cardenas by passing this resolution in her behalf during the 
Regular Session of the 79th Texas Legislature; now, therefore, be 
it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas 
Legislature hereby congratulate Dr. Blandina Cardenas on being 
named the seventh president of The University of Texas-Pan American 
and extend to her sincere best wishes for continued success; and, be 
it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for Dr. Cardenas as an expression of high regard by the 
Texas House of Representatives.

                                                                            Pena
                                                                        Gonzales
                                                                         Escobar

                                                  ______________________________
                                                       Speaker of the House     

	I certify that H.R. No. 250 was adopted by the House on 
February 24, 2005, by a non-record vote.

                                                  ______________________________
                                                     Chief Clerk of the House