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.