75R14002 SGW-D By Palmer, Chavez H.C.R. No. 176 Substitute the following for H.C.R. No. 176: By Alexander C.S.H.C.R. No. 176 HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 1-1 WHEREAS, The State of Texas is a great and diverse region 1-2 that offers a cornucopia of cultural and artistic wealth; these 1-3 abundant riches lie in both its grand heritage, forged from many 1-4 distinct peoples and cultures, and in the boundless creativity of 1-5 its citizens; and 1-6 WHEREAS, Established by the legislature in 1965, the Texas 1-7 Commission on the Arts has as its mission the conservation of 1-8 Texas' rich and diverse heritage through the advancement of the 1-9 arts and cultural industries; this commission is a public sector 1-10 advocate that makes artistic, educational, and enrichment 1-11 opportunities possible for all Texans, thus ensuring that the arts 1-12 continue to grow as a major contributor to the cultural and 1-13 economic well-being of our citizenry; and 1-14 WHEREAS, The Texas cultural endowment fund, whose grants are 1-15 distributed by the Texas Commission on the Arts, is a 1-16 public/private initiative authorized by the legislature for the 1-17 purpose of providing a stable funding source to enhance the 1-18 performing, visual, and literary arts and education; it is intended 1-19 to encourage economic development and advance the quality of life 1-20 for Texas' communities and to ensure the future of the arts 1-21 throughout the state; and 1-22 WHEREAS, In 1993, the Texas Legislature created the Texas 1-23 "State of the Arts" license plate program as a way for the Texas 1-24 Commission on the Arts to generate funds from the private sector to 2-1 promote the arts in Texas; as one of the main sources of revenue 2-2 for the cultural endowment fund, this program should receive a 2-3 level of support and promotion that befits the importance of its 2-4 role; now, therefore, be it 2-5 RESOLVED, That the 75th Legislature of the State of Texas 2-6 hereby encourage the legislative members to actively promote the 2-7 Texas Commission on the Arts license plate program in their 2-8 districts as a method to increase revenue in the Texas cultural 2-9 endowment fund, and thereby provide more funding for the arts in 2-10 Texas; and, be it further 2-11 RESOLVED, That the 75th Legislature of the State of Texas 2-12 hereby commend the Texas Commission on the Arts for its efforts in 2-13 promoting the cultural and artistic wealth of Texas.