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By:  Coleman                                                      H.R. No. 542



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, The Texas House of Representatives is pleased to 
recognize February 28th, 2005, as Prairie View A&M University and 
Alumni Day at the State Capitol; and
	WHEREAS, Prairie View A&M University originated in the Texas 
Constitution of 1876 when legislators, after the establishment of 
the Agricultural & Mechanical College of Texas, pledged in the 
Texas Constitution of 1876 that "separate schools shall be provided 
for white and colored children, and impartial provisions shall be 
made for both."  On August 14, 1876, the Texas Legislature 
established the "Alta Vista Agricultural and Mechanical College of 
Texas for Colored Youths"; and
	WHEREAS, The University was established as a Land Grant 
College under the federal Morrill Acts of 1862 and 1890 and began 
its tradition of agricultural research and community service, which 
continues today; and
	WHEREAS, In 1945, the name of the institution was changed 
from Prairie View Normal and Industrial College to Prairie View 
University, and the school was authorized to offer, "as need 
arises," all courses offered at the University of Texas.
	WHEREAS, In 1947, the Texas Legislature changed the name to 
Prairie View A&M College of Texas and provided that "courses be 
offered in agriculture, the mechanic arts, engineering, and the 
natural sciences connected therewith, together with any other 
course authorized at Prairie View at the time of passage of this 
act, all of which shall be equivalent to those offered at the 
Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas at Bryan."; and
	WHEREAS, On August 27, 1973, the name of the institution was 
changed to Prairie View A&M University, and its status as an 
independent unit of the Texas A&M University System was 
reconfirmed; and
	WHEREAS, On November 6, 1984 the voters of Texas approved a 
constitutional amendment which restructured the Permanent 
University Fund to include Prairie View A&M University and also 
designated the University as an "institution of the first-class" 
under the governing board of the Texas A&M University System; and
	WHEREAS, In January 1985, the Board of Regents of the Texas 
A&M University System responded to the 1984 Constitutional 
Amendment by stating its intention that Prairie View A&M University 
become "an institution nationally recognized in its areas of 
education and research." and resolved that the University receive 
its share of the Available University Fundamentals as previously 
agreed to by Texas A&M university and the University of Texas at 
Austin; and
	WHEREAS, Prairie View A&M University, because of Texas' 
history of racial discrimination, has had a special role in 
educating African Americans, many of whom have established 
themselves as professionals in the fields of business, education, 
engineering, medicine and nursing, providing services not only to 
the citizens of Texas but also to those of the nation and the world; 
and
	WHEREAS, the University, its alumni, faculty, staff and 
student body have victoriously weathered the period of legal 
segregation, and continues it noble struggle to overcome vestiges 
of the former de jure racially dual system of public higher 
education in Texas; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas 
Legislature hereby express appreciation to Prairie View A&M 
University and Alumni for its many contributions to the State of 
Texas and best wishes to all who are participating in Prairie View 
University and Alumni Day at the Capitol; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be prepared for the 
University as an expression of esteem from the Texas House of 
Representatives.