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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Longhorns and Aggies are uniting at the State |
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Capitol on February 26, 2025, to celebrate The University of Texas |
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at Austin and Texas A&M University with Orange and Maroon |
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Legislative Day, a day when the state's two largest universities |
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work together to promote higher education in the State of Texas; and |
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WHEREAS, Alumni from the two institutions total more than |
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1.17 million, and The University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M |
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University had a combined enrollment of nearly 133,000 students in |
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the fall of 2024, with nearly 35,000 students receiving degrees |
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that year; the schools boast superb museums and libraries, |
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including the George H. W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum and |
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the Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library and Museum, and both |
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universities are renowned for their exceptional research, with |
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combined annual research expenditures of more than $2.3 billion; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, The teaching and research missions of The University |
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of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M University benefit the State of |
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Texas through the cultivation of informed and engaged citizens, and |
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they drive economic prosperity through technological innovation, |
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entrepreneurial spirit, improved health care, and scientific |
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breakthroughs; and |
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WHEREAS, Researchers from The University of Texas at Austin |
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and Texas A&M University explore, discover, and innovate in the |
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sciences, arts, and humanities and have been granted numerous |
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patents; as Tier One research institutions, both universities |
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provide students valuable opportunities for applied learning with |
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guidance from outstanding faculty across the disciplines, and both |
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universities broaden access to higher education for underserved |
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populations; and |
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WHEREAS, Both universities serve as important cultural |
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centers, engaging Texans in the visual and performing arts and |
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other creative endeavors, and they promote athletics and physical |
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education, inspiring Texans to stay active and bringing them |
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together in support of student-athletes; and |
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WHEREAS, The combined faculties feature Nobel laureates and |
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more than 100 National Academy members, and those attending the |
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schools include National Merit scholars, Rhodes scholars, Olympic |
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gold medalists, and many of the Lone Star State's most outstanding |
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students; in addition, the two universities offer an amazing range |
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of postgraduate opportunities with more than 350 graduate degree |
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programs; and |
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WHEREAS, The two universities have proven records of support |
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for our nation's military, commissioning tens of thousands of |
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uniformed officers throughout their storied histories, and for our |
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nation's veterans, enrolling hundreds of veterans each semester, |
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establishing their commitment to providing new opportunities to our |
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nation's bravest in supportive, military-friendly environments; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, The University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M |
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University have positioned themselves as preeminent institutions |
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of higher education on the state, national, and international |
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levels, and Texans are fortunate to have access to these two |
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exceptional state university systems; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas |
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Legislature hereby recognize February 26, 2025, as Orange and |
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Maroon Legislative Day and commend students and alumni from The |
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University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M University for their |
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commitment to supporting higher education in the Lone Star State. |