78R14320 KMP-D

By:  Raymond                                                      H.R. No. 1308



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, Dr. Ramón H. Dovalina, president of Laredo Community 
College (LCC), has for more than three decades dedicated himself to 
the betterment of higher education in Texas, and his 
accomplishments as a teacher, college administrator, and civic 
leader have earned him widespread esteem and many well-deserved 
accolades; and
	WHEREAS, This eminent Texan attended Laredo Junior College, 
as LCC was then known, before earning his bachelor's and master's 
degrees at Texas A&I University, now Texas A&M 
University--Kingsville, and his doctorate in community college 
leadership at The University of Texas at Austin; and
	WHEREAS, Early in his career he gained classroom experience 
as an educator in our state's public school system, and in 1972 he 
joined the staff of Del Mar College to serve as assistant registrar; 
he moved to the Capital City in 1973 to help launch Austin Community 
College and remained with that school for 22 years, holding a number 
of posts before being named chief development officer; and
	WHEREAS, Dr. Dovalina returned to South Texas in 1995 to 
assume the presidency of LCC, and since then he has ably guided the 
college through a period of impressive development; under his 
skilled leadership, LCC has adopted a 10-year master plan, approved 
more than $14 million in revenue bonds, undertaken the construction 
of new science and fine arts buildings, and acquired property for a 
second campus in south Laredo; Dr. Dovalina has also overseen the 
introduction of new programs, the development of distance 
education, and the creation of an environmental science center; and
	WHEREAS, In addition to his many professional endeavors, Dr. 
Dovalina has given generously of his time and expertise to numerous 
civic organizations; a Rotarian and strong supporter of the Boys 
and Girls Club of Laredo, he has served as a member of the Mayor's 
Business Council and the Laredo advisory committee of the Texas 
Organ Sharing Alliance, as well as worked with the Laredo 
Manufacturers Association and the Art Has Heart Foundation; in 
2000, the Laredo Morning Times honored him as Laredoan of the Year; 
and
	WHEREAS, Through his passionate commitment to education, his 
outstanding administrative talents, and his bold vision, Dr. 
Dovalina has helped countless students prepare themselves for a 
rewarding and successful future and contributed immeasurably to 
developing the human resources of the Lone Star State; now, 
therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 78th Texas 
Legislature hereby commend Dr. Ramón H. Dovalina for his 
significant contributions to higher education and extend to him 
warmest best wishes for continued success and happiness in the 
years ahead; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for Dr. Dovalina as an expression of high regard by the 
Texas House of Representatives.