(AUSTIN) — Today (Feb. 4) Senator Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, welcomed Aggies and Longhorns from throughout Texas to the State Capitol for the seventh biennial Orange and Maroon Legislative Day.

Orange and Maroon Day brings together a statewide, grassroots network of alumni and friends of The University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M University. These advocates work to increase public and legislative support for our state's higher education system and especially for its two public national research universities.

"Texas A&M and UT benefit our state tremendously not only by graduating tens of thousands of qualified graduates each year, but also by conducting cutting edge research that helps drive our state's economy," Senator Zaffirini said. "For every dollar we invest in our national research universities, there is an $18 return on investment."

Aggies and Longhorns spent the day meeting with legislators and discussing important priorities including funding higher education in the state budget, supporting high-quality research, and authorizing Tuition Revenue Bonds to build the classrooms and laboratories needed to support Texas' growing student population.

"The great thing about Aggies and Longhorns is that, contrary to popular belief, they do support each other on and off the athletic field," Senator Zaffirini said. "Orange and Maroon Day is a wonderful opportunity for alumni and supporters to collaborate in promoting excellence, accessessibility and affordability in higher education."

Senator Zaffirini authored Senate Resolution 97, officially recognizing Tuesday as Orange and Maroon Legislative Day at the State Capitol.

A former Chair of the Senate Higher Education Committee, Senator Zaffirini holds B.S., M.A. and PhD degrees from UT-Austin, each with a 3.9 grade-point average.

Other Longhorns in the Texas Senate are Senators Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe; Rodney Ellis, D-Houston; Kevin Eltife, R-Tyler; Don Huffines, R-Dallas; Charles Schwertner, R-Georgetown; and Leticia Van de Putte, D-San Antonio. Senator Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, is an Aggie.

SENATOR JUDITH ZAFFIRINI, D-Laredo, welcomes leaders from The University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M University to the Texas Capitol for Orange and Maroon Legislative Day. These leaders include (L-R) Charles Matthews, Board Chair of the Texas Exes; President Bill Powers of The University of Texas at Austin; Interim President Mark Hussey of Texas A&M University; Leslie Cedar, Executive Director of the Texas Exes; Bo Bradbury, Chair of the Board of the Association of Former Students; and Porter Garner, President and CEO of the Association of Former Students.

LONGHORNS AND AGGIES from throughout Texas visit the Texas Capitol for the seventh biennial Orange and Maroon Day. Alumni and friends of Texas' public national research universities met with legislators and discussed key priorities related to higher education excellence, access and affordability.

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