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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The celebration of Blinn College Day at the State |
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Capitol on March 7, 2017, provides an ideal opportunity to |
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recognize this noteworthy institution; and |
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WHEREAS, Established in 1883, Blinn is a comprehensive |
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two-year college presenting academic transfer, workforce training, |
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and continuing education classes at campuses in Brenham, Bryan, |
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Schulenburg, and Sealy; the college offers 96 academic degree and |
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certificate programs, and its close partnerships with state |
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universities have allowed for the creation of such innovative |
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educational opportunities as the Texas A&M Engineering Academy at |
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Blinn, the Transfer Enrollment at A&M (TEAM) Program, and the Blinn |
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College Simulation and Clinical Labs at the Texas A&M Health |
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Science Center in Bryan; and |
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WHEREAS, Blinn College has seen significant enrollment |
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growth in the past decade, and its transfer rate of 39.5 percent |
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nearly doubles the statewide average; moreover, the college's |
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workforce training job placement rate exceeds 90 percent over a |
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three-year average, and since August 2015, Blinn has obtained more |
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than $1 million in skills development fund grants to provide safety |
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and skills jobs for local businesses; and |
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WHEREAS, High school students from 52 public, private, and |
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charter schools benefit from the college's dual credit program, and |
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Blinn works with the Bryan Independent School District to operate |
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Bryan Collegiate High School, where approximately 70 percent of |
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those enrolled are first-generation college students; and |
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WHEREAS, Blinn College continues to develop its facilities in |
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Brazos County, and the Blinn-Bryan campus recently completed a $10 |
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million renovation project to improve student services; |
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additionally, in 2016, the Texas A&M University System and Blinn |
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College announced a partnership to offer new and expanded programs |
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at the RELLIS Campus to meet workforce training needs in the Brazos |
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Valley; and |
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WHEREAS, A forward-looking institution with a long history |
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and many notable achievements, Blinn College has played an |
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important role in higher education in the Lone Star State, and it is |
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indeed a pleasure to honor the college on this special day; now, |
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therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas |
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Legislature hereby recognize March 7, 2017, as Blinn College Day at |
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the State Capitol and extend to the visiting delegation sincere |
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best wishes for an informative and enjoyable stay in Austin. |