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