SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 678

WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to recognize the TEXAS Grant Program on the occasion of its 10th anniversary; and

WHEREAS, Legislation for the TEXAS Grant Program was enacted in 1999 with the goal of providing thousands of Texas high school students the opportunity to attend college, thus helping them to better meet the challenges of the 21st century; and

WHEREAS, This program helps to do for Texas what such historic legislation as the GI Bill has done for the nation; a HOPE Scholarship program, it is helping to create a highly educated and skilled generation of young people who might not otherwise have attended college due to financial limitations; and

WHEREAS, Producing more college graduates has become a necessity for our state, because a college education has become a vital ingredient for professional and economic success in our society; and

WHEREAS, The TEXAS Grant Program has already contributed to the betterment of our state by aiding 205,000 of its students with funds approaching $1.2 billion for their education and enrichment; and

WHEREAS, The TEXAS Grant Program has played an integral role in this state's "Closing the Gaps" higher education strategy; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 81st Legislature, hereby express appreciation for the TEXAS Grant Program on the 10th anniversary of the creation of this innovative program; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared in honor of the TEXAS Grant Program.

Ellis

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on April 23, 2009.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate