By:  Craddick                                         H.C.R. No. 57
       73R4864 BNL-D
                                 CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
    1-1        WHEREAS, The people of Midland will mark a memorable occasion
    1-2  in April 1993, when they celebrate the 25th anniversary of the
    1-3  Museum of the Southwest in its permanent location at the historic
    1-4  Turner Mansion; and
    1-5        WHEREAS, Envisioned as one of the most important educational
    1-6  and cultural efforts undertaken in the city, the museum was funded
    1-7  initially by a five-year, $55,000 grant from the Junior League of
    1-8  Midland; Governor John Connally presided over the ribbon cutting at
    1-9  the grand opening on September 25, 1965, and in 1968, the museum
   1-10  moved into its current home; and
   1-11        WHEREAS, The Turner heirs, Fredda Turner Durham and Dorothy
   1-12  Turner Scharbauer, generously deeded their family's estate to
   1-13  Midland County for the express purpose of leasing it to the Museum
   1-14  of the Southwest, and in doing so, they ensured that the museum
   1-15  would be housed in one of the most beautiful and elegant mansions
   1-16  in West Texas; and
   1-17        WHEREAS, Built in 1934 for oil and ranching magnate Fred
   1-18  Turner and his wife, Juliette, the mansion was designed by Anton F.
   1-19  Dorn and includes handiwork by master craftsmen from across the
   1-20  country; in 1988, the Turner Mansion and stables were recognized as
   1-21  national historic landmarks and were listed on the National
   1-22  Register of Historic Places; and
   1-23        WHEREAS, Since its establishment, the museum has expanded to
   1-24  meet the growing needs of the Midland community and now includes a
    2-1  planetarium and a children's museum; the Blakemore Planetarium,
    2-2  funded by a grant from the Blakemore Foundation, was designed by
    2-3  noted Midland architect Frank Welch, who was honored for his work
    2-4  on this building with the Texas Society of Architects Award for
    2-5  Excellence; and
    2-6        WHEREAS, For a quarter of a century, the Museum of the
    2-7  Southwest has provided the citizens of Midland with a wealth of
    2-8  cultural and educational opportunities that include lectures,
    2-9  luncheons, video presentations, and concerts; the museum's
   2-10  commitment to history, science, and art has enriched the lives of
   2-11  countless Texans, and in so doing, the museum has become a source
   2-12  of great pride to all residents of the Lone Star State; now,
   2-13  therefore, be it
   2-14        RESOLVED, That the 73rd Legislature of the State of Texas
   2-15  hereby honor the Museum of the Southwest on its 25th anniversary
   2-16  and extend to the museum's supporters warmest best wishes for many
   2-17  more years of continued success; and, be it further
   2-18        RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
   2-19  forwarded to the Museum of the Southwest as an expression of high
   2-20  regard by the Legislature of the State of Texas.