University of Houston - Houstonian Yearbook (Houston, TX)

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EDITOR’S NOTE SENATE STATE AFFAIRS COMMITTEE listons os University of Houston Vko-Prosidont McElhinney answers questions concerning tho University's finoncial status. The 1961 HOUSTONIAN, fully realizing the history that has been made, presents an account of the key events during the 134-day campaign to obtain Senate and House of Representatives approval of full state sup-I tort for the University of Houston. Keep in mind as you read, the months of preparation and years of study, by interested and dedicated persons, preceding the opening of the 57th Texas Legislature on January 10, 1961. 131 DAY CAMPAIGN BEGINS January 10, 1061: Rep. James A. Turman of Gober is named Speaker of the House today. He is believed to be strongly in favor of our bill. January 16, 1961: First of a scries of meetings of the Harris County delegation at which Senate and H R bills, timing, probable areas of support and opposition are discussed in great detail. We arc seeking a low H R number. BILLS ARE NUMBERED January 23, 1961: Bill is introduced in the Senate at 11 :Q5 a.m., by Senator Robert W. Baker, who bad been immediately recognized by Lt. Governor Ben Ramsey. The bill. SB 2, is referred to the State Affairs Committee. Delegation members in the House send word that Rep. Robert C. Eck-bardt has arranged to get the low number of HB 11 there. January 24, 1961: HB 11 is introduced in the House at 4:15 p.m. by Rep. Criss Cole. Co-signers include the entire Harris County H R delegation and 34 other members from every area of the state. HB 11 is then referred to the House State Affairs Committee. DIFFICULTIES FORESEEN February 1, 1961: There are increasing indications that most of our difficulties will lie found in the Senate, where a hard core of resistance to any legislation involving major spending is developing. February 13, 1961: At a hearing before the State Affairs Committee of the Senate in the afternoon, the final vote is 10-7 in our favor. At one time during the afternoon, because of other meetings, hearings, etc., we have exactly three of our supporters present at the committee table. Closeness of vote is distressing although we arc pleased to get the bill out of committee. In the evening the State Affairs Committee of H 'R refers the bill to a subcommittee with a minimum of unfriendly questioning. However, it is apparent that the committee will want an even more thorough study in spite of the months already spent on the problem. February IS, 1961: An intensive new program of contacting members of Senate and H R is begun by the delegation, with assistance from members over the state who are backing us. A decision is reached to push SB 2 first, possibly trying for a vote in mid-March. March 3, 1961: We are approaching the necessary 2-1 margin needed to bring SB 2 up in the Senate. TEST VOTE MEETS DEFEAT March 20, 1961: We arc advised to try a run in the Senate, in order to get an absolute measure of strength, as the opposition is gathering its forces and time is running out. March 23, 1961: On a test vote to bring MOTION PICTURES bring tho compus to Austin for members of the Houso Stoto Affairs Committee. up SB 2, at 11:15 a.m., we are defeated 14-15 in the Senate. The vote is actually 16-13, but two of our supporters voted “no” when it becomes apparent that wc do not have a chance of mustering the 2-1 margin necessary. Post-mortem decisions: This is a defeat, but it clarifies our position. We must now abandon the hope of obtaining support in 1961, and hope that somehow it will be possible to bring the University in the system as of 1963. April 1, 1961: An emergency meeting of community leaders is called in Houston to discuss a scries of contacts with members of the Legislature, principally to improve our position in the Senate. CAMPUS IMPRESSES SUBCOMMITTEE April 8, 1961: H R subcommittee holds a two-hour public hearing in the M. I). Anderson Library Auditorium. An unbiased firm supplies an evaluation of $34,000,000 on our campus and physical plant, which seems to favorably impress the subcommittee. April 12, 1961: We are again approaching a 2-1 majority in the Senate, with the adoption of the 1963 entrance date and other amendments. The H R State Affairs Committee votes out HB 11 unanimously, on the basis of a highly favorable recommendation from the subcommittee which visited the campus. 11 DAYS OF FILIBUSTERS BEGIN April 17, 1961: Senator Baker is able to bring up SB 2 at 11:20 a.m. by the barest possible margin of 20-10. Opposing senators then begin a determined filibuster. April 13, 1961: Filibuster continues in the Senate. Adjournment comes at 6 p.m. by agreement because obvious opposition can go past midnight and no Senate bills can be debated tomorrow or the next day. We are ready for a vote in the House and believe that wc have between 85 and 90 votes there on HB 11. April 19, 1961: HB 11 is engrossed (passed on to second reading) today at 2:20 p.m. with a vote of 84-34. Rep. Cole tries immediately for the 2-1 margin needed for suspension and third passage, but fails 8618. After analysis, the delegation goes to work at once on the approximately 15 additional votes they believe can be changed. 5

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U. OF H. BIDS FOR STATE SUPPORT AERIAL VIEW of tho contor portion of the main compos, featuring tho Ezokiel W. Cullen Building and reflection pool. State Aid ... state aid . .. STATE AID! Two of the most popular words on the University of Houston campus this year. These two words were on the tongues of practically everyone . . . administrators, faculty, staff and students. Thoughts concerning the subject of state aid were inserted into almost every conversation. Never before had any one idea hit with such impact. Of course, never before had there been anything of such magnitude. For state aid means the growth of a great university ... it offers the chance of higher education to many deserving people . . . and the big thing— it will relieve the students of a financial strain that has become greater and greater.

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FILIBUSTERS SLOW LEGISLATIVE ACTION A HOUSE SUBCOMMITTEE visits the campus and conducts a public hearing. Chancellor A. D. Bruce and subcommittee members W. H. Pierott, H. G. Wells and S. F. Collins look over a scale model of the physical plant. HOUSE PASSES BILL April 21, 1961: The H R passes HB 11 by voice vote at 10:46 a.m. with only scattered opposition. The hill goes to the Senate. where it has little or no chance of coming out of committee. Concentration is continued upon SB 2 and breaking the filibuster. FILIBUSTERS CONTINUE April 24, 1961: Filibustering is resumed in the Senate, but adjournment comes at 6:30 p.m. April 25, 1961: The filibuster continues in the Senate until 11:30 p.m. Senate bills cannot be debated tomorrow or the next day, but we will attempt to keep the Senate in session Friday, when SB 2 will again lie pending business. April 27, 1961: We are successful in bringing the Senate back into session tomorrow, by a vote of 14-13. FILIBUSTER BROKEN April 28, 1961: Finally, the filibuster is broken at 10:50 p.m.. and SB 2 is engrossed. The key vote was at 5:30 p.m., when Senator Jarrard Secrest of Temple agreed to break an 11-11 tie. making possible a 12-10 vote to “move the previous question,” and thereby limit debate. The opposition agreed to engrossment if we would not attempt final passage before adjournment tonight. As we did not have the votes for final passage, this was accepted. It was 11 days ago that the filibuster be-gan. May 8, 1961: Senator Baker attempts immediate setting of HB 11 by the State Affairs Committee of the Senate, but is overruled by the chairman. Senator Ward-low Lane of Center. We arc examining all possibilities. Time until final adjournment is running very short. May 9, 1961: A difficult situation is arising in the II R. as the members divide further and further on controversial bills. Probing continues for an opening in the Senate. SENATE PASSES BILL May 12,1961: Senator Baker finds three opposing senators gone as the session begins at 10:30 a.m. Senator Louis Crump of San Saba agrees to vote with us and we win, 18-8, the right to bring SB 2 up at once for third reading and final passage. The really critical vote, however, is a 14-12 decision whereby Senator Baker is able again to move the previous question and forestall another filibuster. With the previous question in effect. SB 2 is passed in just six minutes, at 10:41 a.m. Senator Baker goes personally to the floor of the House, announces passage and receives a great ovation. HOUSE COMMITTEE HOLDS BILL May 15, 1961: It appears more and more that there will be a delay in having SB 2 voted out favorably by the State Affairs Committee of the H R. which is necessary to get the measure to the floor for passage. It is decided to accept SB 2 exactly as is, because of the extreme danger in any further delays as adjournment rapidly approaches. May 17, 1961: Still no action in the State Affairs Committee of the House, al- 6 STUDENTS EXPRESS their feelings through signs they intend to corry to Austin with tho hope thot legislators will recognizo the sincerity of the University's roguost.