By Giddings H.R. No. 735 74R11785 KMP-D 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.