SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 509
         WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to
  recognize the Texas A&M University Department of Oceanography on
  the occasion of its 60th anniversary; and
         WHEREAS, The Department of Oceanography and Meteorology
  was established at the Agricultural and Mechanical College of
  Texas in 1949; it was the first academic department of
  oceanography to be established on a United States college campus;
  and
         WHEREAS, The Department of Oceanography has mentored more
  than 370 doctoral degree recipients and more than 500 master's
  degree recipients, who have brought prestige and added luster to
  the State of Texas and to Texas A&M University; and
         WHEREAS, These graduates have contributed in many ways to
  the prosperity and well-being of the citizens of this state
  through their involvement in government, the offshore oil
  industry, fisheries, and many other industries; and
         WHEREAS, In addition to its graduate program, the
  department offers undergraduate oceanography courses to the many
  undergraduate students at Texas A&M University, introducing them
  to the science and the socioeconomic issues related to the marine
  environment; and
         WHEREAS, The department has provided faculty and staff
  members to other universities in Texas, the United States, and
  nations worldwide; and
         WHEREAS, The department has long been recognized as the
  leader in research of the Gulf of Mexico, and members of the
  department have provided the lead for many international
  research programs, including the Antarctic Biomass Program, the
  International Southern Ocean Studies, and the World Ocean
  Circulation Experiment; and
         WHEREAS, The department has worked with numerous agencies
  of the State of Texas and the United States to solve or avoid
  problems related to the marine environment; now, therefore, be it
         RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 81st
  Legislature, hereby commend the Texas A&M University Department
  of Oceanography, its faculty, its research scientists, its
  staff, and its students on their many notable accomplishments and
  congratulate them on the 60th anniversary of the department; and,
  be it further
         RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
  the department in honor of this special occasion.
  Ogden
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
        President of the Senate
     
        I hereby certify that the
    above Resolution was adopted by
    the Senate on March 24, 2009.
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
        Secretary of the Senate
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
         Member, Texas Senate