H.R. No. 735
                                  R E S O L U T I O N
    1-1        WHEREAS, On April 29, 1995, the African American Museum of
    1-2  Life and Culture will celebrate its 20th anniversary, and the
    1-3  members of the Texas House of Representatives join the citizens of
    1-4  Dallas in paying tribute to a distinguished cultural and
    1-5  educational institution; and
    1-6        WHEREAS, In addition to having one of the largest African
    1-7  American folk art collections in the United States, this
    1-8  magnificent museum is the only repository in the Southwest devoted
    1-9  to the preservation and display of African American art, cultural
   1-10  artifacts, and historical materials; and
   1-11        WHEREAS, Started in 1974 at Bishop College, the African
   1-12  American Museum of Life and Culture became an independent facility
   1-13  in 1979 and is currently situated in the Fair Park area of Dallas;
   1-14  two years ago, the museum moved into a beautiful new building that
   1-15  has won worldwide acclaim for its innovative use of African
   1-16  architectural elements drawn from traditional motifs, West African
   1-17  statues, and Ethiopian Orthodox churches; and
   1-18        WHEREAS, In addition to housing an impressive array of
   1-19  African masks, sculptures, gold weights, and textiles, this
   1-20  outstanding museum is home to the Sepia Magazine Archives, the
   1-21  Freedman's Cemetery Collection, the Texas Black Women's History
   1-22  Archives, and many outstanding works of contemporary fine art; the
   1-23  African American Museum of Life and Culture also features the Billy
   1-24  R. Allen Folk Art Collection, one of the finest collections of its
    2-1  kind in the nation; and
    2-2        WHEREAS, The museum's remarkable exhibits are further
    2-3  supplemented by its many cultural, educational, and entertainment
    2-4  offerings; the sponsor of a summer youth camp and an annual African
    2-5  American history fair and heritage bowl, this exemplary institution
    2-6  sponsors the annual African American History in Texas Conference,
    2-7  the biennial Texas Black Women's Conference, and the biennial Texas
    2-8  Black Literary Conference; and
    2-9        WHEREAS, The African American Museum of Life and Culture is a
   2-10  treasured addition to the many fine cultural offerings of the city
   2-11  of Dallas and of the entire State of Texas, and it is indeed
   2-12  appropriate that this exceptional institution be given special
   2-13  recognition and support as its members celebrate an important
   2-14  milestone in the museum's history; now, therefore, be it
   2-15        RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas
   2-16  Legislature hereby congratulate the members and officers of the
   2-17  African American Museum of Life and Culture on the occasion of the
   2-18  museum's 20th anniversary; and, be it further
   2-19        RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
   2-20  prepared for the African American Museum of Life and Culture as an
   2-21  expression of highest regard by the Texas House of Representatives.