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