HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 1-1 WHEREAS, The studies of the arts, sciences, and humanities 1-2 are woven into the fabric of our cultural identity, and advancement 1-3 in these areas opens up new horizons in learning and allows us to 1-4 celebrate the diversity and unique cultural heritage of Texas; and 1-5 WHEREAS, Recognizing outstanding individuals in these fields 1-6 and bestowing on them titles of honor is a long-standing practice 1-7 in many states and serves as an encouragement to other talented 1-8 researchers and practitioners of these studies; and 1-9 WHEREAS, By implementing a cultural awareness program that 1-10 includes a system of awards for those who have made significant 1-11 contributions in the fields of science, art, and the humanities, 1-12 the Texas Legislature fosters the expression and exchange of ideas, 1-13 which is the highest priority of a democratic society; and 1-14 WHEREAS, The 74th Legislature, Regular Session, 1995, adopted 1-15 House Concurrent Resolution 92, establishing the Governor's Awards 1-16 for Excellence in the Arts, Humanities, and Sciences, to be 1-17 conferred on Texans who demonstrate outstanding creative and 1-18 intellectual achievement in these fields of study; and 1-19 WHEREAS, It is useful to refine nomination and selection 1-20 procedures, so that potentially deserving individuals are 1-21 identified, reviewed by knowledgeable panelists, and honored where 1-22 appropriate as recipients of these distinguished awards; now, 1-23 therefore, be it 1-24 RESOLVED, That the 75th Legislature of the State of Texas 2-1 hereby provide that the governor have final authority to approve 2-2 all winners of the Governor's Awards for Excellence in the Arts, 2-3 Humanities, and Sciences, by naming one winner annually from each 2-4 category; and, be it further 2-5 RESOLVED, That a nominations committee be established, 2-6 composed of six staff-level members: three members to be appointed 2-7 by and serve at the pleasure of the governor; one member to be 2-8 appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Texas Commission on 2-9 the Arts; one member to be appointed by and serve at the pleasure 2-10 of the Texas Committee for the Humanities, headquartered in Austin, 2-11 a state program of the National Endowment for the Humanities; and 2-12 one member to be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the 2-13 Texas Academy of Science, headquartered in San Angelo, an 2-14 affiliated academy of the American Association for the Advancement 2-15 of Science; and, be it further 2-16 RESOLVED, That a blue ribbon selection committee be 2-17 established, composed of nine members to be appointed by and serve 2-18 at the pleasure of the governor; and, be it further 2-19 RESOLVED, That the nominations committee develop criteria, 2-20 within the separate categories of the arts, sciences, and 2-21 humanities for award nominations, and that pursuant to those 2-22 criteria, the committee annually solicit and receive tentative 2-23 nominations from among arts, humanities, and scientific 2-24 organizations throughout the state; and, be it further 2-25 RESOLVED, That the nominations committee screen the tentative 2-26 nominations for conformity to its criteria, and in turn forward to 2-27 the selection committee resulting nomination lists and supporting 3-1 information for each of the three award categories; and, be it 3-2 further 3-3 RESOLVED, That the selection committee advise the governor on 3-4 final annual selection and submit to the governor the names of at 3-5 least three nominees each in the categories of the arts, 3-6 humanities, and sciences; and, be it further 3-7 RESOLVED, That funding for the award nomination and selection 3-8 processes, and for the award presentation program, be entirely from 3-9 private sources; and, be it further 3-10 RESOLVED, That the Texas secretary of state forward official 3-11 copies of this resolution to the Texas Commission on the Arts, the 3-12 Texas Committee for the Humanities, and the Texas Academy of 3-13 Science, informing them of their respective roles in this worthy 3-14 endeavor. Hunter _______________________________ _______________________________ President of the Senate Speaker of the House I certify that H.C.R. No. 143 was adopted by the House on April 25, 1997, by a non-record vote. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House I certify that H.C.R. No. 143 was adopted by the Senate on May 26, 1997, by a viva-voce vote. _______________________________ Secretary of the Senate APPROVED: _____________________ Date _____________________ Governor