HR313 - Congratulating Dr. Robert Garza on his receipt of a 2025 Baldrige Foundation Award for Leadership Excellence in the Education Sector.

      H.R. No. 313       R E S O L U T I O N          WHEREAS, Dr. Robert Garza, president of Palo Alto College of   the Alamo Colleges District in San Antonio, has been named a 2025   recipient of the Baldrige Foundation Award for Leadership   Excellence in the Education Sector; and          WHEREAS, Appointed president by the Alamo Colleges District   Board of Trustees, Dr. Garza took office on September 10, 2018; he   went on to make a noteworthy impact in his first year at the helm,   spearheading a fundraising campaign that resulted in a record $1.3   million commitment for scholarships for students and employees;   moreover, Palo Alto College's sterling reputation contributed to   all five Alamo Colleges being honored with a Malcolm Baldrige   National Quality Award, and the campus was named a Rising Star by   the prestigious Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence   program in 2019; and          WHEREAS, Dr. Garza has overseen an era of rapid progress for   the institution; a new multipurpose building, the Rio Grande,   opened in 2023, providing specialized spaces for programs in   advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, robotics,   cybersecurity, dental hygiene, and more; in addition, he has worked   to build engagement with south Bexar County residents through   existing programming as well as new community events and   initiatives, including Educate South, which focuses on public and   private partnerships that develop educational awareness at the   earliest levels of schooling; and          WHEREAS, In recognition of his achievements, Dr. Garza   received the V. Ray Cardozier Alumni Excellence Award from The   University of Texas at Austin; a member of the board of the Alamo   Collegiate Network, he has also served the wider community on the   boards of Catch the Next, Inc., the Hot Wells Conservancy, the   Mexican American Civil Rights Institute, and Texas Vista Medical   Center; and          WHEREAS, Dr. Garza first joined the Alamo Colleges District   in 1999, and he previously excelled in such roles as vice president   of student success and dean of community development and   partnerships; he holds a bachelor's degree from Texas A&M   University, a master's degree in public administration from UT San   Antonio, and a doctorate in educational administration from UT   Austin; and          WHEREAS, Through his adept and forward-looking leadership,   Robert Garza has significantly advanced the important mission of   Palo Alto College, and he is richly deserving of this national   accolade; now, therefore, be it          RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas   Legislature hereby congratulate Dr. Robert Garza on his receipt of   a 2025 Baldrige Foundation Award for Leadership Excellence in the   Education Sector and extend to him sincere best wishes for   continued success; and, be it further          RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be   prepared for Dr. Garza as an expression of high regard by the Texas   House of Representatives.     Lujan     ______________________________   Speaker of the House                 I certify that H.R. No. 313 was adopted by the House on March   6, 2025, by a non-record vote.     ______________________________   Chief Clerk of the House