RESO 1987-05 - Texas Colleges-UniversitiesRESOLUTION NO. 87 -/5
A RESOLUTION OF THE HUNTSVILLE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
HUNTSVILLE, TEXAS, IN SUPPORT OF RETAINING THE SPECIAL ITEM
APPROPRIATION TO TEXAS COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES
WHEREAS: The Criminal Justice Center at Sam Houston State University (SHSU)
in Huntsville, Texas, was established by the Texas State Legisla-
ture in 1963 with the intent that SHSU and the Texas Department of
Corrections would work cooperatively to establish a criminal justice
program dedicated to developing undergraduate and graduate degree
programs for individuals seeking careers in criminal justice; offer-
ing training programs for those already working in the field; con-
ducting applied research on the problems of crime and the adminis-
tration of justice; and providing technical assistance to Texas
criminal justice agencies; and
WHEREAS: SHSU's Criminal Justice Center is now the State's primary institution
for research, education, and training in criminal justice and was
recently cited by professionals in the field to be among the top three
such programs in the United States; and
WHEREAS: Among SHSU's major accomplishments in the field of justice include
construction and administration of the Criminal Justice Center; the
granting of 5,404 degrees in criminal justice since 1963; the provision
of training programs for thousands annually -- 18,346 in FY 1986; and the
provision of technical assistance to a variety of criminal justice
agencies; and
WHEREAS: The enabling capability provided by the Special Item Appropriation
permits the Center to seek grants and contracts for research and
training, and during FY 1986, the Center received $673,671 in Special
Item funds, enabling it to secure an additional $741,671 in grants
and contracts, a return to the State of 110% for every dollar of
Special Item funds appropriated; and
WHEREAS: Governor Clements' policy budget has called for the elimination of
all Special Item appropriations to Texas colleges and universities;
and while this proposal is not directed at the Criminal Justice Center,
it would have the net effect of eliminating all the training, research
and technical assistance programs that it currently administers; and
WHEREAS: The program is vital to the Huntsville economy since the Center
includes 42 full time professional and staff members, and annually
attracts more than a thousand academic majors and 18,000 professionals
who participate in continuing education and training programs; and
WHEREAS: In light of the State's current crisis in corrections, elimination
or reduction of these programs is deemed short - sighted at a time when
there is a critical demand for well- educated and well- trained persons
to work in the field of justice;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED by the Huntsville City Council that the
City of Huntsville go on record as strongly supporting the continua-
tion of the programs made possible by the Criminal Justice Center in
Huntsville and that it solicits the continued support of our repre-
sentatives in Austin: Senator Kent A. Caperton and Representative
Allen Hightower, to continue their efforts to retain the Special
Item Appropriation in the state's budget.
RESOLVED AND SIGNED on this the 28th day of April, 1987.
THE CITY OF HUNTSVILLE, TEXAS
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Jane Monday, Mayor
ATTE
'.th DeShaw, City Secretary