HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 1-1 WHEREAS, The Honorable Rick Crawford has demonstrated the 1-2 utmost professionalism and dedication in his capacity as executive 1-3 director of the State Preservation Board, and his outstanding work 1-4 will help to ensure that generations of future Texans will enjoy 1-5 the full majesty of one of the nation's most magnificent State 1-6 Capitols; and 1-7 WHEREAS, A former member of the Texas House of 1-8 Representatives, Mr. Crawford brought considerable legislative and 1-9 governmental experience to his position as executive director, and 1-10 his previous service as the speaker's liaison to the board gave him 1-11 valuable insight into the significant place the board holds in 1-12 Texas history; and 1-13 WHEREAS, Created in 1983, the State Preservation Board was 1-14 charged with preserving and maintaining the Capitol and its 1-15 grounds, and this included the monumental task of restoring the 1-16 Capitol to its original 19th century grandeur; Mr. Crawford made 1-17 numerous contributions throughout the duration of this project, 1-18 and, in his present role of supervising the restoration of the 1-19 Historic South Grounds of the Capitol, he took over a project 1-20 considerably behind schedule and finished it not only on time but 1-21 under budget; and 1-22 WHEREAS, In addition to setting off the stately Capitol 1-23 building to its best advantage, the Historic South Grounds provide 1-24 a prominent open space for public ceremonies, cultural events, and 2-1 recreation, and the board was faced with the difficult challenge of 2-2 restoring the pastoral, turn-of-the-century beauty of the grounds 2-3 while still creating an accessible and safe environment; and 2-4 WHEREAS, Under the looming deadline of the impending 75th 2-5 Legislative Session, Mr. Crawford did just that, overseeing the 2-6 renovation and landscaping of a living work of art; healthy young 2-7 trees and thoughtfully planned landscapes have replaced the 2-8 haphazard arrangements that had evolved over the past century, and 2-9 visitors of all ages and abilities may now explore the seat of 2-10 Texas government unencumbered; despite the tyranny of bad weather 2-11 that often plagues such projects, the restoration of the grounds 2-12 was completed on schedule, and Mr. Crawford can now turn his 2-13 attention to the next phase of the project, developing a 2-14 comprehensive maintenance program for the Capitol Complex that will 2-15 ensure that it never again falls into a state of disrepair; and 2-16 WHEREAS, Both as a legislator and as the executive director 2-17 of the State Preservation Board, the Honorable Rick Crawford has 2-18 served his fellow Texans with integrity and distinction; the 2-19 members appreciate Mr. Crawford's understanding of the need to 2-20 combine historic preservation with the reasonable use of a 2-21 functional building, and they are pleased to honor him for his 2-22 efforts at this time; now, therefore, be it 2-23 RESOLVED, That the 75th Legislature of the State of Texas 2-24 hereby pay tribute to the Honorable Rick Crawford for his exemplary 2-25 service as executive director of the State Preservation Board and 2-26 extend to him warmest best wishes for continued success and 2-27 happiness in the future; and, be it further 3-1 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 3-2 prepared for Mr. Crawford as an expression of highest regard by the 3-3 Texas House of Representatives and Senate. Counts _______________________________ _______________________________ President of the Senate Speaker of the House I certify that H.C.R. No. 84 was adopted by the House on March 20, 1997, by a non-record vote. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House I certify that H.C.R. No. 84 was adopted by the Senate on May 15, 1997, by a viva-voce vote. _______________________________ Secretary of the Senate APPROVED: _____________________ Date _____________________ Governor