HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 1-1 WHEREAS, One of the Lone Star State's greatest assets is the 1-2 depth and diversity of the cultures that comprise our common 1-3 heritage, and among the most influential contributors to the 1-4 state's history are Texans of Czech descent; and 1-5 WHEREAS, Czech immigration to Texas reached its peak during 1-6 the mid-19th century, when thousands of families left Bohemia, 1-7 Moravia, and Silesia to seek their freedom and improve their 1-8 livelihood in the New World; settling across Central Texas, these 1-9 hardy individuals survived, flourished, and progressed from pioneer 1-10 privation to representation in the fields of literature, science, 1-11 art, law, and politics, and left an enduring agrarian heritage in 1-12 their adopted home, and the Czech language is still widely spoken 1-13 in numerous areas of the state; and 1-14 WHEREAS, The vibrant Czech traditions that shaped the state 1-15 have continued to endure, handed down from generation to 1-16 generation, and to ensure the preservation of this priceless 1-17 legacy, a number of public-spirited citizens have committed 1-18 themselves to the creation of the Texas Czech Heritage and Cultural 1-19 Center, to be located in La Grange; and 1-20 WHEREAS, Widely known as the "Cradle of Czech Immigration," 1-21 Fayette County is an appropriate site for the center, which will 1-22 celebrate and promote the unique contributions of Czechs to Texas 1-23 through displays of authentic artifacts and printed material, 1-24 genealogical information, and a living history area; and 2-1 WHEREAS, Intended not only as a repository of historical 2-2 material, but also as a vital and valued resource within the 2-3 community, the center's projected facilities will include a 2-4 library, exhibit hall, auditorium, amphitheater, and archives; with 2-5 so much to offer, the facility will undoubtedly serve as a popular 2-6 gathering place for citizens of Czech descent from across the 2-7 state, as well as a stirring permanent tribute to the many 2-8 contributions of the Czech community; and 2-9 WHEREAS, The recent reemergence of the Czech Republic as a 2-10 free democratic nation has reaffirmed the longstanding pride that 2-11 the more than 1,000,000 Texans of Czech heritage take in their 2-12 roots, and the Texas Czech Heritage and Cultural Center will stand 2-13 as a fitting expression of this proud legacy; now, therefore, be it 2-14 RESOLVED, That the 75th Legislature of the State of Texas 2-15 hereby recognize all those associated with the Texas Czech Heritage 2-16 and Cultural Center and extend to them sincere best wishes for 2-17 every success in the years to come; and, be it further 2-18 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-19 prepared for display in the Texas Czech Heritage and Cultural 2-20 Center as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of 2-21 Representatives and Senate. Uher Laney Gutierrez Oliveira Alexander Haggerty Olivo Allen Hamric Palmer Alvarado Hartnett Patterson Averitt Hawley Pickett Bailey Heflin Pitts Berlanga Hernandez Place Bonnen Hightower Price Bosse Hilbert Puente Brimer Hilderbran Rabuck Burnam Hill Ramsay Carter Hinojosa Rangel Chavez Hirschi Raymond Chisum Hochberg Reyna of Bexar Christian Hodge Reyna of Dallas Clark Holzheauser Rhodes Coleman Horn Rodriguez Cook Howard Roman Corte Hunter Sadler Counts Hupp Seaman Crabb Isett Serna Craddick Jackson Shields Cuellar Janek Siebert Culberson Jones of Lubbock Smith Danburg Jones of Dallas Smithee Davila Junell Solis Davis Kamel Solomons Delisi Keel Staples Denny Keffer Stiles Driver King Swinford Dukes Krusee Talton Dunnam Kubiak Telford Dutton Kuempel Thompson Edwards Lewis of Tarrant Tillery Ehrhardt Lewis of Orange Torres Eiland Longoria Turner of Coleman Elkins Luna Turner of Harris Farrar McCall Uher Finnell McClendon Van de Putte Flores McReynolds Walker Gallego Madden West Galloway Marchant Williams Garcia Maxey Williamson Giddings Merritt Wilson Glaze Moffat Wise Goodman Moreno Wohlgemuth Goolsby Mowery Wolens Gray Naishtat Woolley Greenberg Nixon Yarbrough Grusendorf Oakley Zbranek _______________________________ _______________________________ President of the Senate Speaker of the House I certify that H.C.R. No. 265 was adopted by the House on May 16, 1997, by a non-record vote. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House I certify that H.C.R. No. 265 was adopted by the Senate on May 26, 1997, by a viva-voce vote. _______________________________ Secretary of the Senate APPROVED: _____________________ Date _____________________ Governor