SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 97

WHEREAS, Aggies and Longhorns will unite today at the State Capitol to celebrate Orange and Maroon Legislative Day 2019 and showcase how higher education benefits the State of Texas; and

WHEREAS, There are nearly 1,000,000 alumni from the two universities, and Texas A&M University and The University of Texas at Austin have a combined annual enrollment of more than 115,000 students, and award more than 27,000 degrees each year; both universities remain committed to ensuring an accessible and affordable hands-on education for generations of future educators, small business owners, farmers, doctors, and leaders; and

WHEREAS, Texas A&M University and The University of Texas at Austin are renowned for their life-changing research, and the teaching and research missions of both institutions benefit the State of Texas by advancing medical breakthroughs and overall quality of life; and

WHEREAS, Researchers at Texas A&M University and The University of Texas at Austin discover and innovate; together, they have more than 1,500 patents; both universities drive economic prosperity in their respective regions and in the State of Texas by supporting the work that gives rise to patents, grants, corporate start-ups, and numerous other enterprises; investment in these institutions ensures a sustainable Texas economy and an educated workforce; and

WHEREAS, Both universities serve as centers for the arts and culture, inspiring Texans to take part in the visual and performing arts and other creative endeavors; both institutions have excellent museums and libraries for Texans to enjoy, including the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum and the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum; both institutions also serve as flagships for athletics and physical education, encouraging Texans to participate in physical activity and to support the student-athletes that represent the state in competition across the nation; and

WHEREAS, The universities' faculties feature Nobel laureates and nationally recognized scholars, and the student bodies include National Merit scholars, Rhodes scholars, Olympic gold medalists, veterans, and many promising students who are committed to advancing the Lone Star State; in addition, the universities offer an amazing range of postgraduate opportunities through nearly 500 graduate degree programs; and

WHEREAS, Texas A&M University and The University of Texas at Austin are both recognized as Tier One public research institutions as defined by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and are both members of the prestigious Association of American Universities; and

WHEREAS, Texas A&M University and The University of Texas at Austin have established themselves as preeminent institutions of higher education on the state, national, and international levels, and all Texans receive the benefits from these two exceptional state university systems; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 86th Legislature, hereby recognize February 5, 2019, as Orange and Maroon Legislative Day and commend alumni from Texas A&M University and The University of Texas at Austin for their commitment to promoting higher education in the Lone Star State; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared in honor of this special occasion.

Watson, Bettencourt, Buckingham, Creighton, Flores, Johnson, Schwertner, Zaffirini

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Member, Texas Senate Member, Texas Senate

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Member, Texas Senate Member, Texas Senate

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Member, Texas Senate Member, Texas Senate

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Member, Texas Senate Member, Texas Senate

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on January 30, 2019.

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Secretary of the Senate