University of Houston - Houstonian Yearbook (Houston, TX)

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Thus ends almost two full years of exacting planning and work, plus 134 extremely difficult days in the Legislature. In September of 1963 a new dawn will break over Texas as the University of Houston takes its place as the 20th member in the Texas System of Higher Education. ... A NEW DAWN WILL BREAK SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE JAMES A TURMAN v«.-d immediately after fho bill's t.-ol ; though we understand the committee is for the bill. Members of our House delegation are beginning to work the floor intensively again for final passage votes. SB 2 is heard at 11:45 p.m. after the Senate had voted rcdistricting bill. It is referred to the same subcommittee which visited the campus. with instructions to report back Monday. May 22. May 19, 1961: It is believed that there arc over 100 favorable votes in the House, and possibly 115 in the event a 4 5ths vote is needed to suspend the rules for final passage of SB 2 on the same day it is engrossed. OPPOSITION’S EFFORTS FAIL May 22, 1961: SB 2 is reported out favorably by the State Affairs Committee of the House at 7:45 p.m. after last-ditch attempts by one or two opponents on the 21-man committee to amend the measure and thereby kill it. SB 2 PASSES HOUSE Tuesday, May 23, 1961: Rep. Cole brought up SB 2 at 11:46 a.m.. and the bill is engrossed 111-29. He then moved for the 4 5ths margin required for final passage immediately. With the strongest possible support from Speaker Turman, this vote is won 117-26, (verification 117-23). At 12:29 p.m., SB 2 is passed 108-35 and sent to the governor for his signature. UH AND ITS STUDENTS WAIT AS BILLS ARE CONSIDERED IT. GOVERNOR BEN RAMSEY expresses his ■- . s on ho University's success 1

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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.

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IN THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE owoiting the signing of SB 2 ore Representatives Garrison, Grover, Cole, Eckhardt, Shipley, Floyd, Whitfield and Miller. June 17, 1961: Governor of the State of Texas Price Daniel signs SB 2. which brings the University of Houston into the state school system effective September, 1963. Special Tribute to 8