85R13955 KID-D
 
  By: Schubert H.R. No. 659
 
 
 
R E S O L U T I O N
         WHEREAS, The celebration of Blinn College Day at the State
  Capitol on March 7, 2017, provides an ideal opportunity to
  recognize this noteworthy institution; and
         WHEREAS, Established in 1883, Blinn is a comprehensive
  two-year college presenting academic transfer, workforce training,
  and continuing education classes at campuses in Brenham, Bryan,
  Schulenburg, and Sealy; the college offers 96 academic degree and
  certificate programs, and its close partnerships with state
  universities have allowed for the creation of such innovative
  educational opportunities as the Texas A&M Engineering Academy at
  Blinn, the Transfer Enrollment at A&M (TEAM) Program, and the Blinn
  College Simulation and Clinical Labs at the Texas A&M Health
  Science Center in Bryan; and
         WHEREAS, Blinn College has seen significant enrollment
  growth in the past decade, and its transfer rate of 39.5 percent
  nearly doubles the statewide average; moreover, the college's
  workforce training job placement rate exceeds 90 percent over a
  three-year average, and since August 2015, Blinn has obtained more
  than $1 million in skills development fund grants to provide safety
  and skills jobs for local businesses; and
         WHEREAS, High school students from 52 public, private, and
  charter schools benefit from the college's dual credit program, and
  Blinn works with the Bryan Independent School District to operate
  Bryan Collegiate High School, where approximately 70 percent of
  those enrolled are first-generation college students; and
         WHEREAS, Blinn College continues to develop its facilities in
  Brazos County, and the Blinn-Bryan campus recently completed a $10
  million renovation project to improve student services;
  additionally, in 2016, the Texas A&M University System and Blinn
  College announced a partnership to offer new and expanded programs
  at the RELLIS Campus to meet workforce training needs in the Brazos
  Valley; and
         WHEREAS, A forward-looking institution with a long history
  and many notable achievements, Blinn College has played an
  important role in higher education in the Lone Star State, and it is
  indeed a pleasure to honor the college on this special day; now,
  therefore, be it
         RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas
  Legislature hereby recognize March 7, 2017, as Blinn College Day at
  the State Capitol and extend to the visiting delegation sincere
  best wishes for an informative and enjoyable stay in Austin.