By: Montford S.R. No. 926
1-1 SENATE RESOLUTION
1-2 WHEREAS, Dealey Herndon has earned the admiration and
1-3 gratitude of the citizens of Texas for her monumental work in
1-4 preserving and restoring the cherished Capitol of Texas; and
1-5 WHEREAS, As Executive Director of the State Preservation
1-6 Board during a critical time of the Capitol project, Mrs. Herndon
1-7 worked diligently to complete the vast undertaking on schedule; and
1-8 WHEREAS, On April 21, 1995, the beautifully restored
1-9 Texas Capitol welcomed the people of Texas at a formal rededication
1-10 ceremony, 107 years after it was first opened to the public on
1-11 San Jacinto Day, 1888; and
1-12 WHEREAS, It was a day filled with special significance for
1-13 Dealey Herndon who had so lovingly and expertly supervised the
1-14 complex task during the preceding five years; she was responsible
1-15 for the interior and exterior restoration of the Capitol, the
1-16 construction of the four-story underground Capitol Extension, and
1-17 the restoration of the 1857 General Land Office; and
1-18 WHEREAS, The diverse skills required in her demanding role
1-19 as executive director were awesome in their scope; some components
1-20 of the project included locating and working with the architect
1-21 and designers, managing a budget, fund raising, and working with
1-22 different politicians; and
1-23 WHEREAS, The remarkable lady who handled all of these jobs
2-1 calmly and effectively to fruition was well prepared for her role
2-2 in such an enormous undertaking; and
2-3 WHEREAS, The Dallas native has always been interested in
2-4 historic preservation and restoration and was a docent and board
2-5 member of the Dallas County Heritage Society; in her work at Old
2-6 City Park as a Junior League member and in her volunteer work, she
2-7 also learned how to raise funds for the community; and
2-8 WHEREAS, A graduate of Hockaday School and
2-9 The University of Texas at Austin where she majored
2-10 in government, Dealey Dechard married attorney David Herndon
2-11 in 1968, and the couple eventually settled in Austin where she
2-12 became active in various community activities while caring for
2-13 their sons, Benjamin and Bryan; and
2-14 WHEREAS, When Governor and Mrs. William Clements moved to
2-15 Austin in 1979, they found the Governor's Mansion in disrepair
2-16 and none of the historic furnishings tracked or cataloged; when
2-17 Mrs. Clements started the Friends of the Governor's Mansion,
2-18 Dealey Herndon volunteered to help locate, purchase, and catalog
2-19 the furniture for the mansion; because of her exceptional work,
2-20 she remained as a board member for several years, becoming the
2-21 first full-time administrator for the organization and also
2-22 serving as treasurer and president; and
2-23 WHEREAS, Appointed by Governor Clements as the one citizen
2-24 member of the State Preservation Board in 1987, Dealey was
2-25 instrumental in the decision to go forward with the entire
3-1 restoration of the Capitol after the fire in February, 1983,
3-2 almost destroyed the century-old structure and awakened the
3-3 government to the critical need for extensive renovation; and
3-4 WHEREAS, Known by her friends and close associates for her
3-5 dedication and perseverance, Dealey possesses a unique ability
3-6 to complete tasks despite seemingly insurmountable obstacles; she
3-7 is adept at working with groups of people with diverse opinions
3-8 and remaining calm during stormy periods; and
3-9 WHEREAS, For her exceptional service to the City of Austin
3-10 and the State of Texas, Dealey was awarded the Heritage Society
3-11 of Austin's Community Award in 1991 and the Austin History Center
3-12 Association's "Outstanding Contribution to the Preservation of
3-13 History" in 1991 and was named Austin's Most Worthy Citizen for
3-14 1991 by the Austin Board of Realtors; and
3-15 WHEREAS, Receiving national acclaim for her impressive
3-16 accomplishments in the Capitol project, she is a newly elected
3-17 trustee of the National Trust for Historic Preservation which
3-18 recently featured the refurbished Texas Capitol in the
3-19 organization's monthly magazine; and
3-20 WHEREAS, The citizens of the Lone Star State are
3-21 deeply indebted to Dealey Herndon for her leadership in
3-22 the Texas Capitol Restoration; by combining restoration of
3-23 all original elements and replication of missing elements with
3-24 the functional requirements of the seat of Texas Government
3-25 she has displayed a thorough understanding of the best principles
4-1 of historic preservation; now, therefore, be it
4-2 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
4-3 74th Legislature, hereby express its warmest congratulations
4-4 to Dealey Herndon for a magnificent accomplishment and extend
4-5 its heartfelt gratitude for such a beautiful edifice; and, be
4-6 it further
4-7 RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
4-8 this distinguished Texan as an expression of the highest regard
4-9 of the Texas Senate.
4-10 ______________________________________
4-11 President of the Senate
4-12 I hereby certify that the above
4-13 Resolution was adopted by the Senate
4-14 on May 4, 1995.
4-15 ______________________________________
4-16 Secretary of the Senate
4-17 ______________________________________
4-18 Member, Texas Senate