2023S0113-1 02/10/23
 
  By: Creighton S.R. No. 174
 
 
 
SENATE RESOLUTION
         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
  celebrate their work 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 enrollment of more than 127,000
  students in the fall of 2022, with more than 33,000 students
  receiving degrees in 2022; the schools include 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, grants and productivity, 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 by half the risk of brain bleeding
  in stroke patients as well as the discovery of new biological
  technologies at Texas A&M University to fight pathogens that
  infect Texas crops and cost the United States agricultural
  industry billions of dollars each year; 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 with valuable opportunities for
  applied learning with guidance from outstanding faculty across
  the disciplines, and as Hispanic-serving institutions, both
  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 to
  support student-athletes; and
         WHEREAS, The combined faculties feature five Nobel
  laureates and more than 100 National Academy members, and among
  the enrolled students are 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 more than 500 graduate
  degree programs and an extraordinary range of postgraduate
  opportunities; and
         WHEREAS, The two institutions have proven records of
  support for our nation's military and have commissioned tens of
  thousands of uniformed officers throughout their storied
  histories; both schools enroll hundreds of veterans each
  semester and are committed to offering new opportunities to our
  nation's bravest and to providing 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
  excellent state university systems; now, therefore, be it
         RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 88th
  Legislature, hereby recognize February 15, 2023, as Orange and
  Maroon Legislative Day and commend students and 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;
  and, be it further
         RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared in
  honor of this special occasion.