By:  Martin                                          H.C.R. No. 153
       73R11243 WMS-D
                                 CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
    1-1        WHEREAS, Now approaching its 100th anniversary, the Grand
    1-2  1894 Opera House in Galveston, Texas, has enjoyed a long and
    1-3  glorious history and distinguished theatrical heritage, having been
    1-4  constructed a century ago to replace the 1870 Tremont Opera House,
    1-5  the first such structure built in the State of Texas; and
    1-6        WHEREAS, Promoted and financed by noted theatrical
    1-7  entrepreneur Henry Greenwall and 15 other Galveston businessmen,
    1-8  this monument to musical excellence opened its doors to an avid
    1-9  public on January 3, 1895, and is the only remaining vestige of the
   1-10  Greenwall Texas circuit; and
   1-11        WHEREAS, This extraordinary structure, replete with St. Louis
   1-12  pressed brick, buff stone trim, and terra cotta ornaments, has
   1-13  gracefully endured many natural disasters, most notably the great
   1-14  Galveston hurricane of 1900; and
   1-15        WHEREAS, A unique three-tiered interior structure gives the
   1-16  Grand superb acoustics and has provided a worthy showcase for the
   1-17  many notable performers who have graced its stage, among them such
   1-18  legendary figures as Anna Pavlova, William Jennings Bryan, George
   1-19  M. Cohan, Lionel Barrymore, Sarah Bernhardt, John Philip Sousa,
   1-20  Ignace Jan Paderewski, and Mme. Schumann-Heink, and such
   1-21  contemporary artists as Hal Holbrook, Marilyn Horne, Harry
   1-22  Belafonte, Patrice Munsel, Rudolph Nureyev, and Larry Gatlin; and
   1-23        WHEREAS, Designated a Texas Historic Landmark, this
   1-24  magnificent structure is listed on the National Register of
    2-1  Historic Places and attracts a myriad of visitors from across the
    2-2  state and nation; and
    2-3        WHEREAS, Preserving a vital part of our cultural heritage and
    2-4  enhancing our appreciation of the state's glorious past, the Grand
    2-5  1894 Opera House of Galveston justly deserves recognition as one of
    2-6  the state's unique treasures; now, therefore, be it
    2-7        RESOLVED, That the 73rd Legislature of the State of Texas
    2-8  hereby designate the Grand 1894 Opera House of Galveston as the
    2-9  official opera house of Texas; and, be it further
   2-10        RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
   2-11  prepared for prominent display at the Grand 1894 Opera House of
   2-12  Galveston as an expression of high regard by the Legislature of the
   2-13  State of Texas.