SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 958

WHEREAS, Dr. Manuel P. Berriozabal has been named a recipient of the Innovations in Education Award from The University of Texas System; and

WHEREAS, Supported by The University of Texas System Chancellor's Council, the Innovations in Education Award honors faculty members who undertake creative educational initiatives; Dr. Berriozabal's renowned work makes him a fitting choice for this award; the award is being presented for the first time in 2007; and

WHEREAS, Manuel Berriozabal has been a college mathematics educator for 50 years; he taught at Loyola University of Los Angeles, the University of California, Los Angeles, Tulane University, and the University of New Orleans before arriving at The University of Texas at San Antonio in 1976; for more than three decades, this inspirational professor has been a valued member of The University of Texas at San Antonio faculty and has greatly contributed to the university's educational mission; and

WHEREAS, Of his many accomplishments, Dr. Berriozabal is best known for creating the Pre-Freshman Engineering Program, or PREP, in 1979 and for guiding its development in the following decades; PREP is a summer enrichment program for middle school and high school students that focuses on minority students and helps them to prepare for college-level studies in science and engineering; and

WHEREAS, The success of Dr. Berriozabal's program led to its expansion to other sites in Texas, where it is known as TexPREP, and to eight other states and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, where it is known as Projecto Access; as creator of this groundbreaking initiative and as executive director of the San Antonio and Projecto Access programs, Dr. Berriozabal has helped thousands of young people to expand their knowledge and prepare themselves for success as college students and professionals; and

WHEREAS, Highly respected for his expertise in mathematics and science education, Dr. Berriozabal has participated in numerous other educational initiatives over the years; he has participated in a focus group for the Governor's Math Initiative, has been part of a national blue-ribbon panel for the Building Engineering and Science Talent organization, and has served on a number of awards committees that recognize the abilities of young scholars; in addition, he has shared his views as an invited speaker at conferences and meetings all around the country; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Berriozabal is a prominent figure in many professional organizations and has been honored with a variety of prestigious accolades; he was named one of the 100 Most Influential Hispanics by Hispanic Business Magazine in 2001, and he received the Yueh-Gin Gung and Charles Y. Hu Award for Distinguished Service to Mathematics from the Mathematical Association of America; he was inducted as a charter member into the Texas Science Hall of Fame; moreover, the San Antonio PREP and TexPREP programs have earned numerous national and local commendations; and

WHEREAS, Throughout his illustrious career, Manuel Berriozabal has made use of his many talents as a mathematician to assist students in attaining their own academic and professional success, and his achievements truly merit special recognition and praise; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 80th Legislature, hereby congratulate Dr. Manuel P. Berriozabal on receiving the Innovations in Education Award from The University of Texas System and commend him for his outstanding accomplishments; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for Dr. Berriozabal as an expression of high regard from the Texas Senate. Van de Putte, Zaffirini

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on May 4, 2007.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate

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Member, Texas Senate