H.R. No. 266



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, Dr. W. Sam Monroe, president of Lamar State 
College--Port Arthur, has been named Man of the Year by Quota 
International of Southeast Texas; and
	WHEREAS, In being selected for this award, Dr. Monroe becomes 
the first man to be so recognized by this branch of Quota 
International since it began conferring its person of the year 
award 59 years ago; now open to both male and female members, Quota 
International originated as the first international women's 
service organization; the Southeast Texas chapter chose to honor 
Dr. Monroe in consequence of his exceptional leadership at Lamar 
State College--Port Arthur and the crucial role he played in the 
establishment of the Museum of the Gulf Coast; and
	WHEREAS, President of LSC--Port Arthur since 1999, Dr. Monroe 
has overseen the development of a master plan that will meet the 
needs of the college through 2009; under his guidance, the school 
has also embarked on the construction of several major new 
facilities and the enlargement of the Gates Memorial Library; other 
achievements during his tenure include increased enrollment in 
online courses and in the cooperative program with the Nederland 
and Port Arthur school districts, as well as an expansion of 
training and public service activities; and
	WHEREAS, The Museum of the Gulf Coast, which owes so much to 
Dr. Monroe's leadership, opened in 1994; presenting a chronological 
history of the Texas and Louisiana coastal region, the museum also 
examines the integration of this area into the larger national and 
international community; and
	WHEREAS, A native of College Station, Dr. Monroe moved to 
Port Arthur at an early age, and he has contributed immeasurably to 
the community, in both his professional and private lives, for more 
than three decades; before assuming his present office, he held a 
number of posts at Lamar University--Port Arthur and served as 
president of that institution from 1984 to 1999; he began his 
administrative career at Port Arthur College, where he served as 
executive vice president and president; and
	WHEREAS, Over the years, Dr. Monroe has given unstintingly of 
his time and talents to a host of civic organizations, including the 
City of Port Arthur Human Relations Committee, Housing Authority, 
Housing Finance Corporation, and Public Library; among his numerous 
well-deserved honors are citations from the Texas Historical 
Commission and Port Arthur NAACP, an honorary doctorate from Lamar 
University, the creation of an endowed scholarship fund in his name 
by the Port Arthur Higher Education Foundation, and designation as 
2004 Citizen of the Year by the Port Arthur News; and
	WHEREAS, The citizens of Port Arthur are enormously indebted 
to this distinguished gentleman for all he has done to advance 
higher education in the community and to preserve the cultural and 
historical heritage of the surrounding region, and it is indeed a 
pleasure to honor him at this time; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas 
Legislature hereby congratulate Dr. W. Sam Monroe on his selection 
as Man of the Year by Quota International of Southeast Texas and 
extend to him sincere best wishes for continued success in all his 
endeavors; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for Dr. Monroe as an expression of high regard by the Texas 
House of Representatives.

                                                                        Deshotel

                                                  ______________________________
                                                       Speaker of the House     

	I certify that H.R. No. 266 was adopted by the House on 
February 15, 2005, by a non-record vote.

                                                  ______________________________
                                                     Chief Clerk of the House