Among those who worked for passage of a bill to preserve the name of Sam Houston State University was this group of Sam Houston Student Government Association officers. With State Rep. Lois Kolkhorst, third from left, who sponsored the bill, were, from left, Parliamentarian Joshua Nelson, Chief of External Affairs Angela Varner, President Christopher Whitaker, Secretary Lauren Othold and Vice President Jason McKnight.

SHSU Name Change Bill Goes to Perry

By Robbie Byrd
Huntsville Item News Editor

A bill that would preserve the name of Sam Houston State University is only one step away from becoming law.

House Bill 1418, which passed in the Texas House without objection in April, passed through the Senate on Tuesday uncontested.

The bill would prevent the Texas State University System’s board of regents from changing SHSU’s name.

The bill is now headed to Gov. Rick Perry’s office for his signature or veto.

“We’re waiting for its arrival, but certainly the governor feels Sam Houston is an important part of Texas history,” said Katherine Cesinger, a spokesperson in Perry’s office. “The governor will thoughtfully consider it before taking action on it.”

Perry has 10 days to sign the bill before it becomes law.

Because the bill passed with no opposition, it will become effective immediately.

The bill, co-authored by state Rep. Lois Kolkhorst (R-Brenham) and sponsored in the Senate by Sen. Steve Ogden (R-Bryan), was passed during a roll-call vote for local legislation at 8:16 a.m. Tuesday.

John McManners, president of the SHSU Alumni Association, expressed his thanks to the House and Senate for the passage of the bill.

"We are very grateful to (Kolkhorst and Ogden) for guiding our bill through the legislative process,” McManners said.

Chris Whitaker, president of the Student Government Association, said he was both “excited and relieved” the bill passed.

"This is an issue that has united Bearkats like no other,” Whitaker said. “We've had thousands of students, alumni, and friends of the university express support for the name of our university and we're very pleased that the name will be protected."

Frank Krystyniak, director of public relations for SHSU, said the bill has been important to many students, faculty, staff and alumni.

“This has been an emotional issue for SHSU students and alumni, who have rallied with letters, legislator contacts, opinion editorials sent to state newspapers and testimony before the state Legislature,” Krystyniak said.

Kolkhorst said she authored the bill to prevent the university system from changing the name. The regents changed the name of Texas State University - San Marcos from Texas State University in 2003.

An SHSU alumnus, Kolkhorst co-authored the bill along with several fellow alumni and state representatives, including Borris Miles (D-Houston), Rep. Mike O'Day (R-Pearland) and Bill Zedler (R-Arlington).

Kolkhorst said that community support drove her to get the bill through the House.

"I've been honored and surprised by the number of letters, phone calls and e-mails from people all across the nation who are either graduates of the university or are admirers of the man and his achievements,” Kolkhorst said.

Ogden was in legislative session at presstime and could not be reached for comment.

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SHSU Media Contact: Frank Krystyniak
May 23, 2007
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