TITLE: Congratulating Dr. Tatcho Mindiola on his retirement as director of the Center for Mexican American Studies at the University of Houston.

SUMMARY: Congratulating Dr. Tatcho Mindiola on his retirement as director of the Center for Mexican American Studies at the University of Houston.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, Dr. Tatcho Mindiola Jr. is retiring as director of the Center for Mexican American Studies at the University of Houston on August 31, 2015, concluding a distinguished 35-year tenure at the helm of this notable program; and WHEREAS, Since his appointment as director in 1980, Dr. Mindiola has led the center with exceptional skill and dedication, and today, it is recognized as one of the nation's premier academic programs of its kind; during his tenure, Dr. Mindiola has overseen the development of a graduate fellowship, a visiting scholars program, and a minor in Mexican American Studies; and WHEREAS, Under Dr. Mindiola's guidance, moreover, the center has played an important role in increasing the number of Mexican American students and faculty on campus; in addition, the center has furthered the evolution of the discipline through its publication of monographs and its sponsorship of research, conferences, lectures, and student leadership retreats; and WHEREAS, An associate professor of sociology, Dr. Mindiola has focused his own scholarly endeavors on race relations, political sociology, and the Mexican American experience as depicted in film; his most recent research examines race talk, the experiences of Mexican Americans in public schools, and the relationship between Mexican Americans and African Americans; and WHEREAS, Dr. Mindiola was born and raised in Houston; following a stint in the United States Army after high school, he earned both a bachelor's and a master's degree at the University of Houston; while a graduate student at UH, he helped found the university's first Mexican American student organization, which advocated for the expansion of culturally relevant course offerings and for the hiring of more Mexican American faculty, and he continued his activism during his doctoral studies at Brown University; in 1974, he returned to UH to accept a joint appointment in sociology and Mexican American studies; and WHEREAS, Through his vision, scholarship, and commitment to excellence, Dr. Tatcho Mindiola has enhanced the reputation of the University of Houston and contributed immeasurably to the advancement of his field, and he may take justifiable pride in a career well spent; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas Legislature hereby congratulate Dr. Tatcho Mindiola on his retirement from the University of Houston and extend to him sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for Dr. Mindiola as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Hernandez Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 2783 was adopted by the House on May 21, 2015, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House