H.R. No. 861



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, The University of Texas Dental Branch at Houston, a 
longtime leader in dental health education and research and in the 
provision of dental services to the residents of Southeast Texas, 
is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2005; and
	WHEREAS, The first dental school to be established in the 
state, the Dental Branch was founded as Texas Dental College by a 
group of dentists, physicians, and businessmen on February 11, 
1905; the school remained a proprietary institution until 1943, 
when it became The University of Texas School of Dentistry; renamed 
The University of Texas Dental Branch in 1958, it became a part of 
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston in 1972; 
and
	WHEREAS, Providing the full spectrum of dental education, the 
Dental Branch offers a doctor of dental surgery program, two 
graduate primary care programs, six graduate specialty programs, 
and a dental hygiene program; students enrolled in graduate dental 
programs may also enroll jointly in an M.S. or Ph.D. program offered 
by The University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences; 
in addition, the Dental Branch offers three combined-degree 
programs:  doctor of dental surgery/doctor of philosophy, doctor of 
dental surgery/master of public health, and doctor of medicine/oral 
and maxillofacial surgery; and
	WHEREAS, Over the entire course of its history, the school 
has trained approximately 5,600 dentists, and, since 1943, a total 
of nearly 9,000 dental professionals; in 2004, the Dental Branch 
also provided continuing education to almost 3,000 practicing 
dentists; and
	WHEREAS, Individuals affiliated with the Dental Branch 
continue to undertake important new research, and in fiscal year 
2004, they secured almost $2.8 million in research grants; the 
Dental Branch also boasts the largest comprehensive research 
training grant ever received by a component of the health science 
center from the National Institutes of Health; and
	WHEREAS, In addition, the Dental Branch operates an in-house 
clinic, as well as offering treatment at outreach facilities and 
associated hospitals; in 2004, the Dental Branch recorded more than 
90,000 patient visits and provided, at no charge or at a discounted 
rate, dental care valued at some $1.2 million; and
	WHEREAS, The University of Texas Dental Branch, located in 
the world-renowned Texas Medical Center, contributes immeasurably 
to the health of Texas citizens and to the advancement of dental 
science, and it commits itself to changing the landscape of oral 
health in the years to come through excellence in education, 
discovery, and community service; as alumni, faculty, staff, and 
friends of the Dental Branch celebrate its centennial, it is indeed 
a pleasure to join in commemorating this momentous milestone in the 
school's distinguished history; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas 
Legislature hereby honor The University of Texas Dental Branch at 
Houston on the occasion of its 100th anniversary and extend to all 
those associated with the school sincere best wishes for continued 
success.

                                                                            Wong
                                                                         Woolley
                                                                          Hamric

                                                  ______________________________
                                                       Speaker of the House     

	I certify that H.R. No. 861 was adopted by the House on March 
23, 2005, by a non-record vote.

                                                  ______________________________
                                                     Chief Clerk of the House