"Ezekial 25:17 - The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides by the inequites of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men. Blessed is he that shepherds the weak from the valley of darkness for he is truly his brother's keeper, and the finder of lost children. And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to poison and destroy my brothers, and you will know my name is the Lord when I lay my vengeance upon thee."
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City, Port officials back lawmakers proposing A&M-CC engineering school
By Israel Saenz/Caller-Times
April 16, 2007
City and Port of Corpus Christi officials on Monday met with state legislators in support of an engineering school at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi.
Officials who traveled to Austin, including Port Chairman Ruben Bonilla, Mayor Henry Garrett and Port Vice-Chairman Bernard Paulson, discussed two bills which would allow the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents to establish such a school at the university.
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The bill was filed by March 5 Sen. Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa, D-McAllen. Area representatives Juan Garcia, Solomon P. Ortiz Jr. and Abel Herrero filed a similar bill March 9 in the House.
"We testified that A&M-Corpus Christi is a growing regional university, and has an expanding curriculum," Bonilla said. "It has a developing relationship with the Port of Corpus Christi and port industries, as well as the rest of the Coastal Bend. An engineering school at A&M-Corpus Christi would provide a steady pool of qualified engineers."
A&M — Corpus Christi President Flavius Killebrew did not take part in the trip, but released a statement Monday voicing support for the bills.
"Program expansion is a natural result of the need to support the curricular interests of an expanded student body," the statement read. "The university has long sought to serve the needs of the community and will continue to do so. We appreciate the senator’s support of the university and it’s growth."
Garcia said if the bill passes, a feasibility study could immediately begin to assess the cost of the program to the state as well as its economic impact.
Contact Israel Saenz at 886-3767 or saenzi@caller.com
