03-12-15-2i - Resolution - 03/12/2015RESOLUTION NO. 03-12-15-2i
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS
IN SUPPORT OF THE PROPOSAL BY TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY TO HOST A 2016
PRESIDENTIAL OR VICE PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE.
WHEREAS, Texas A&M University, the first public institution of higher education in Texas,
opened in 1876 under the Morrill Land -Grant Act, is now the 5th largest university in the country
with a student body of more than 62,000;
WHEREAS, Texas A&M University remains committed to the values of its land-grant heritage
by expanding educational access, outreach and service to people of all backgrounds in the
community, the region, the state and the country;
WHEREAS, Texas A&M University is one of a select group of national Tier One research
universities to have land, sea and space -grant designations that help garner research expenditures
of more than $850 million;
WHEREAS, Texas A&M University is helping to create multi -disciplinary solutions to the grand
challenges facing the state, the nation and the world; as well as raise awareness of many of these
pressing issues and stimulate interest in finding solutions;
WHEREAS, Texas A&M University continues to maintain and uphold its core values of
excellence, integrity, leadership, loyalty, respect and selfless service; as well as its purpose, which
is to develop leaders of character dedicated to serving the public good;
WHEREAS, Texas A&M University's commitment to public service contributed to the university
being chosen as the home of the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum (which brings
millions of visitors to the local community) and spawned the highly ranked Bush School of
Government and Public Service;
WHEREAS, Texas A&M University and the twin cities of Bryan/College Station have enjoyed a
mutually beneficial relationship for generations; both cities have grown exponentially as Texas
A&M has grown and each continues to develop and thrive as diverse, multi-ethnic environments,
fostering a friendly and inclusive hometown for Aggie students, faculty and staff that far exceeds
the average college town;
WHEREAS, Texas A&M University engages with the state, region and community in a multitude
of ways, through service learning projects, such as the largest one -day, student -run service project
in the nation, The Big Event, as well as countless other service organizations; and through
educational enrichment programs and summer camps from teacher education to STEM to 4-H; and
entertainment not just for Aggie students but for the entire community, through high-quality direct -
from -Broadway shows to the many notable events and distinguished speakers who have addressed
the university -- from former presidents to renowned scientists to civil rights leaders and numerous
others;
And, WHEREAS Texas A&M University has also long recognized the demands of a global
society and the necessity for global reach, maintaining a center in Costa Rica, facilities in Italy and
Mexico and branch campuses in Galveston and Doha, Qatar (fully funded by Qatar Foundation)
as well as nurturing a long history of international cooperation and collaboration to facilitate study
abroad, global competence, international research partnerships such as the collaborative research
grant program between Texas A&M and Mexico's CONACYT, and membership in such
initiatives as The Confucius Institute to enhance Chinese language and culture at the university;
all to enhance educational, cultural and research opportunities around the world and prepare
students to live and compete in a global society;
WHEREAS, Texas A&M University and other members of the Texas A&M University System
based locally continue to increase their economic impact on the area; in 2013 the economic impact
was $4.42 billion, an increase of almost $113 million from 2012 levels (based on the use of a
standard 2.5 multiplier effect representing the number of times such generated dollars are typically
spent and re -spent in the local economy) and;
WHEREAS, Texas A&M University and the cities of Bryan/College Station and the Brazos
Valley have partnered to mutual advantage on projects such as the agreement between the city of
College Station regarding the expansion of Kyle Field; expenditures by visitors attending sporting
events and other campus activities totaled an estimated $385 million, almost $8 million more than
for the previous year. The estimated number of visitors totaled more than 1.3 million, with the
average visitor from out-of-town staying 2.5 days in the local community; now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLLEGE STATION,
TEXAS:
PART 1:
That the City of College Station joins the City of Bryan, Brazos County and the
region known as the Brazos Valley, as well as the Bryan Independent School
District and the College Station Independent School District and fully supports
Texas A&M University in its bid to host a Presidential or Vice Presidential Debate.
ADOPTED this J-212- day of
Pla466
, A.D. 20 /5 .
ATTEST: APPROVED:
City Secret y MAYOR
APPROVED:
Cada /L7: 1649)//071,
City Attorney