By:  Moncrief                                S.C.R. No. 41

         97S0573/2                           

                            SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

 1-1           WHEREAS, The State of Texas holds three major

 1-2     dinosaur-bearing regions boasting every major type of dinosaur

 1-3     specimen; these three regions are the Texas Panhandle region

 1-4     ranging from Amarillo to Lubbock, which yields fossils dating from

 1-5     200 million years ago, the Central Texas region, which yields

 1-6     fossils dating from 115 to 95 million years ago, and the Big Bend

 1-7     region, which yields fossils dating from 66 million years ago; and

 1-8           WHEREAS, The Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, in

 1-9     association with Southern Methodist University's Shuler Museum of

1-10     Paleontology, has developed the traveling exhibition, Lone Star

1-11     Dinosaurs; the exhibit contains real fossils, original art work,

1-12     and historical film footage of Texas dinosaur discovery for the

1-13     express purpose of public education through the presentation of

1-14     current scientific research currently ongoing in Texas; and

1-15           WHEREAS, The Lone Star Dinosaurs exhibition featuring Texas

1-16     fossils, Texas scientists, and Texas locations provides the

1-17     opportunity for students and visitors to see Texas fossils; the

1-18     exhibit also provides the opportunity to bring science to one's own

1-19     "backyard" and at the same time correlate the connection between

1-20     science, history, and art through the unfolding stories of Texas

1-21     dinosaur research and discovery; and

1-22           WHEREAS, Many individuals have contributed their time,

1-23     talents, research, design, and execution to the Lone Star Dinosaurs

1-24     exhibition; Fort Worth Museum of Science and History president Don

 2-1     Otto and staff members Jim Diffily, Dennis Gabbard, Chris Hailey,

 2-2     Missy Matthews, and David McCauley, as well as other staff members,

 2-3     have contributed to this daily effort of education; without their

 2-4     combined efforts and dedication this presentation of knowledge

 2-5     would not be possible; and

 2-6           WHEREAS, The dinosaur project has been supported by

 2-7     associations, partnerships, and donations; such noteworthy Texans

 2-8     as Mr. and Mrs. James Doss, Mr. and Mrs. William W. Jones, and Mr.

 2-9     and Mrs. Philip Hobson have donated the use of their privately

2-10     owned land, where such fossils are discovered, for the express

2-11     purpose of education and for all to see and enjoy; without their

2-12     generous contributions these natural treasures would forever be

2-13     lost to the elements; and

2-14           WHEREAS, Through the project partnerships of scientists this

2-15     collective effort and monumental task of translating into education

2-16     the display and assembly of knowledge was made possible:  Dr. Louis

2-17     Jacobs, whose skillfulness brings the science of paleontology to

2-18     the public through his teachings and research; Dr. Wann Langston,

2-19     Jr., a leader and model in the field of paleontology, whose

2-20     generous loans from his personal collection as well as those of The

2-21     University of Texas were made available; and Dr. Dale Winkler,

2-22     whose writing and preparation of specimens documented the hard

2-23     science aspects of field work; now, therefore, be it

2-24           RESOLVED, That the 75th Legislature of the State of Texas

2-25     hereby recognize this day, March 11, 1997, as the official public

 3-1     opening day of the Lone Star Dinosaurs in the Lone Star State

 3-2     Capitol basement rotunda, thereby honoring the Fort Worth Museum of

 3-3     Science and History and its partners for their extensive education

 3-4     efforts in and for the State of Texas.