By West H.R. No. 677 74R11125 WMS-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The Presidential Museum in Odessa has been selected 1-2 as an official Second Day of Issue site for the April 27, 1995, 1-3 release of the Richard M. Nixon commemorative stamp; and 1-4 WHEREAS, Founded by John Ben Shepperd and several other 1-5 prominent Odessa citizens, the Presidential Museum first opened on 1-6 February 25, 1965, in the basement of Odessa's Ector County Library 1-7 as a "Presidential Room in the Library"; and 1-8 WHEREAS, Now occupying the entirety of what once was the 1-9 Ector County Library, the Presidential Museum boasts an 1-10 ever-increasing collection of campaign memorabilia, portraits, 1-11 signatures, documents, original political cartoons, and numerous 1-12 other commemorative items; and 1-13 WHEREAS, Many unique exhibits can be found at this 1-14 exceptional facility, including the Dishong collection of 1-15 intricately fashioned First Lady miniatures, a selection of White 1-16 House china, and two expansive galleries documenting such 1-17 interesting aspects of the presidential campaigns as the effects of 1-18 third parties, the impact of changing technology on the campaign 1-19 process, and the expanding electorate; and 1-20 WHEREAS, The important work of this outstanding repository of 1-21 presidential information and memorabilia is partially subsidized by 1-22 Ector County and its interesting exhibits have informed and 1-23 enlightened countless visitors to Texas from across the globe; and 1-24 WHEREAS, The Presidential Museum has consistently striven to 2-1 preserve and present to the citizens of this state and nation a 2-2 wealth of historical material related to the nation's highest 2-3 office in an entertaining, informative, and accessible manner, and 2-4 its many noteworthy achievements in this regard truly merit special 2-5 legislative recognition; now, therefore, be it 2-6 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas 2-7 Legislature hereby congratulate the Presidential Museum in Odessa 2-8 on being selected as an official Second Day of Issue site for the 2-9 Richard M. Nixon commemorative stamp; and, be it further 2-10 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-11 prepared for prominent display at the Presidential Museum as an 2-12 expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives.