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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Students, alumni, faculty, and administrators from |
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Paul Quinn College are gathering in Austin on March 21, 2017, in |
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celebration of the inaugural Paul Quinn College Day at the State |
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Capitol; and |
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WHEREAS, The oldest historically black college of liberal |
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arts in Texas, Paul Quinn College was established in Austin by |
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circuit-riding preachers of the African Methodist Episcopal Church |
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in 1872; it was originally known as the Connectional High School and |
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Institute for Negro Youth, reflecting its mission of teaching |
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trades such as blacksmithing and carpentry to former slaves; |
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classes were held in churches and homes for five years, until the |
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school moved to a building in Waco; and |
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WHEREAS, The present-day name was adopted in 1881, honoring |
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the AME Church's fourth bishop, William Paul Quinn; the college |
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began offering classes in a variety of liberal arts subjects, |
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including theology, Latin, English, music, and math, and it |
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eventually expanded to a 22-acre campus; in 1990, the institution |
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moved to a 132-acre site in Dallas; and |
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WHEREAS, During the past decade, President Michael Sorrell |
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has energized Paul Quinn College with a number of dynamic |
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initiatives aimed at creating a hub of urban entrepreneurship; the |
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school won national attention by turning its football field into a |
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student-run organic farm, where young Texans learn about business, |
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philanthropy, and nutrition, as well as agricultural science; |
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through the Work Program, scholars serve the campus community while |
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developing the skills, habits, and experience necessary to compete |
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in the 21st-century job market; the institution has attracted major |
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donors, allowing it to undergo a comprehensive renovation program, |
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and its enrollment has grown more diverse; and |
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WHEREAS, Throughout its long history, Paul Quinn College has |
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provided a faith-based education that opens doors of opportunity, |
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and guided by the motto "WE over Me," it encourages students to |
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reach for their dreams while becoming servant-leaders and agents of |
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positive social change; now, 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 21, 2017, as Paul Quinn College |
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Day at the State Capitol and extend to the visiting delegation |
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sincere best wishes for a memorable and enjoyable visit to Austin. |