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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Sam Houston State University is recognizing the |
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distinguished career of the late William R. Powell by naming the |
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school's Student Health and Counseling Center in his honor; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Powell began his tenure at Sam Houston State as |
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an assistant dean in the Student Life Office in 1972, becoming the |
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first African American hired by the university in an administrative |
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position; he played an integral role in the development of the |
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Student Judicial System with the Texas State University System and |
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served as a mentor and advisor to a host of students and student |
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organizations; a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, he was |
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instrumental in establishing the Theta Mu chapter of the fraternity |
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on the campus; and |
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WHEREAS, Dean Powell's exceptional skill and commitment |
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earned him increased responsibility as associate dean of student |
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life, a position he held from 1977 until his retirement from the |
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university in 1987; during that time, he worked closely with the |
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Housing Department, University Police, and President's Cabinet to |
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ensure that the interests of students were foremost in their |
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day-to-day decision-making; he was a driving force in the |
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development of the University Counseling Center and also shared his |
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insights on numerous university committees; and |
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WHEREAS, Known for his wisdom and unwavering concern for |
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students, Dean Powell encouraged young people to follow their |
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dreams and to give generously of their time and talents to benefit |
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the wider community; guided by that principle, he served the |
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citizens of Huntsville as a board member for the local Lions Club |
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and Habitat for Humanity; in addition, he was a deacon at both |
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Friendship Baptist Church and First Baptist Church, and he was |
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actively involved in the campaign to fund the Dr. Martin Luther |
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King Jr. Memorial in Washington, D.C.; Dean Powell passed away on |
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March 12, 2013; and |
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WHEREAS, William Powell made a positive and indelible impact |
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at the university he served and in the lives of the young people who |
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benefited from his guidance and leadership, and the naming of the |
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William R. Powell Student Health and Counseling Center provides a |
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fitting tribute to his contributions; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas |
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Legislature hereby commemorate the dedication of the William |
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R. Powell Student Health and Counseling Center at Sam Houston State |
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University and pay tribute to the life and career of this esteemed |
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administrator. |