88R10983 JRI-D

By: Raney H.R. No. 206

R E S O L U T I O N

WHEREAS, Longhorns and Aggies are uniting at the State Capitol on February 15, 2023, to celebrate The University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M University with Orange and Maroon Legislative Day, a day when the state's two largest universities work together to promote higher education in the State of Texas; and

WHEREAS, Alumni from the two institutions total more than 1.15 million, and The University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M University had a combined annual enrollment of more than 127,000 students in the fall of 2022, with more than 33,000 students receiving degrees that year; the schools boast superb museums and libraries, including the George H. W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum and the Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library and Museum, and both universities are renowned for their exceptional research, with combined annual research expenditures of over $1.93 billion; and

WHEREAS, The teaching and research missions of The University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M University benefit the State of Texas through the cultivation of informed and engaged citizens, and they drive economic prosperity through technological innovation, entrepreneurial spirit, improved health care, and scientific breakthroughs, including the development of a new clot-busting medication at The University of Texas at Austin that can reduce the risk of brain bleeding in stroke patients by half, as well as the discovery of new biological technologies at Texas A&M University to fight complex pathogens that infect Texas crops and cost the U.S. agriculture industry billions of dollars each year; moreover, these missions contribute to advancements in national defense; and

WHEREAS, Researchers from The University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M University explore, discover, and innovate in the sciences, arts, and humanities and have been granted numerous patents; as Tier One research institutions, both universities provide students valuable opportunities for applied learning with guidance from outstanding faculty across the disciplines, and as Hispanic-Serving Institutions, the two universities broaden access to higher education for historically underserved populations; and

WHEREAS, Both universities serve as important cultural centers, engaging Texans in the visual and performing arts and other creative endeavors, and they promote athletics and physical education, inspiring Texans to stay active and bringing them together in support of student-athletes; and

WHEREAS, The combined faculties feature 5 Nobel laureates and more than 100 National Academy members, and those attending the schools include National Merit scholars, Rhodes scholars, Olympic gold medalists, military service veterans, and many of the Lone Star State's most outstanding students; in addition, the two universities offer an amazing range of postgraduate opportunities with more than 500 graduate degree programs; and

WHEREAS, Both universities have proven records of support for our nation's military, commissioning tens of thousands of uniformed officers throughout their storied histories, and for our nation's veterans, enrolling hundreds of veterans each semester, establishing their commitment to providing new opportunities to our nation's bravest in supportive, military-friendly environments; and

WHEREAS, The University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M University have positioned themselves as preeminent institutions of higher education on the state, national, and international levels, and Texans are fortunate to have access to these two exceptional state university systems; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas Legislature hereby recognize February 15, 2023, as Orange and Maroon Legislative Day and commend alumni from The University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M University for their commitment to supporting higher education in the Lone Star State.