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79R2269 JTR-D
By: Pena 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.