SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 326

WHEREAS, Students, faculty, and members of the administration of Prairie View A&M University are visiting the State Capitol on February 25, 2013, and this occasion provides a fitting opportunity to pay tribute to the rich history and continuing achievements of this notable institution; and

WHEREAS, Prairie View A&M University dates back to 1876, when the 15th Texas Legislature established a school known as the "Alta Vista Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas for Colored Youth" during Reconstruction; the first students enrolled in 1878, and a normal school for training teachers was created by the legislature the following year; the normal school and the agricultural and mechanical college were combined by the 20th Legislature in 1887; and

WHEREAS, The institution expanded its curriculum to four years in 1900 and began offering intercollegiate athletics in 1904; the school won its first football game, against Wiley College, in 1907; a cooperative extension program was added in 1914 and the Army Reserve Officer Training Corps followed in 1917; during the 1920s, the school introduced the first baccalaureate degrees and a school of nursing, took part in the organization of the Southwest Athletic Conference, and also started hosting a branch of the University Interscholastic League known as the Prairie View Interscholastic League, which existed until the late 1960s; and

WHEREAS, In 1939, a graduate school was initiated at Prairie View; the school began a program for commissioning United States Army officers in 1944 and naval reserve officers in 1970; five commissioned officers from the school's army training corps have gone on to become three-star generals, and three officers from its navy training corps have gone on to become admirals; and

WHEREAS, Voters approved a state constitutional amendment in 1984 that recognized Prairie View A&M as a university of the first class and restructured the state's Permanent University Fund to include Prairie View as a beneficiary; in addition, the legislature established the Texas Institute for the Preservation of History and Culture at Prairie View in 1999; the school launched its first doctoral program, in juvenile justice, and has since added others in electrical engineering, juvenile forensic psychology, and education leadership; and

WHEREAS, Now under the leadership of president Dr. George C. Wright, the university has an enrollment of over 8,000 students, including more than 2,000 graduate students; and

WHEREAS, On March 11, 2013, Prairie View A&M will observe the 137th anniversary of its founding; it has been providing its students with a solid foundation for achievement for more than a century, and in so doing, it has contributed immeasurably to the fascinating history and ongoing prosperity of the Lone Star State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 83rd Legislature, hereby honor Prairie View A&M University on the occasion of its 137th anniversary and extend to the delegation visiting today sincere best wishes for a meaningful and memorable trip to the State Capitol; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be prepared for the university as an expression of high regard from the Texas Senate.

Hegar

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on February 27, 2013.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate