By Telford                                             H.R. No. 718
         76R13239 WMS-D                           
                                 R E S O L U T I O N
 1-1           WHEREAS, Edd Hayes of Humble has been named Texas State
 1-2     Artist in the three-dimensional category for 1998-1999, and this
 1-3     honor is indeed well-deserved; and
 1-4           WHEREAS, The committee based its decision on the merit of his
 1-5     work, his history of life achievement, the degree to which his work
 1-6     reflects the rich artistic and cultural heritage of Texas, critical
 1-7     reviews or articles, letters of recommendation, and his record of
 1-8     donation of artwork to the community or to charitable causes; and
 1-9           WHEREAS, Formerly a rodeo competitor, Mr. Hayes visited the
1-10     Gilcrease Museum in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 1977 and was deeply moved
1-11     and inspired by the outstanding western American art collection
1-12     there; and
1-13           WHEREAS, He carefully studied the works of masters in the
1-14     western art field and drew on his own considerable talent to enter
1-15     the field himself, exhibiting his paintings and drawings for the
1-16     first time in 1979; and
1-17           WHEREAS, Two years later, this multifaceted artist applied
1-18     his abilities to sculpture; his initial work, that of a cowboy
1-19     complete with a saddle and rigging bag, sold out its edition of 15
1-20     bronzes and fostered his reputation as an artist of great ability;
1-21     and
1-22           WHEREAS, His sculptures are justly renowned for their
1-23     anatomical accuracy and breathtaking detail, and these sought-after
1-24     works are imbued with their creator's unique vision; and
 2-1           WHEREAS, Although he has produced many fine table-sized
 2-2     sculptures, Mr. Hayes is perhaps best known as the sculptor of such
 2-3     remarkable pieces as The Champ, a 27-foot-tall bronze of Casey
 2-4     Tibbs that resides at the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame in Colorado
 2-5     Springs, and the colossal bronze Wild and Free, depicting wild
 2-6     horses that tower 150 feet in the air at the entrance to Astroarena
 2-7     in Houston; and
 2-8           WHEREAS, The featured sculptor for the Mid-America Waterfowl
 2-9     Expo in Peoria, Illinois, last year, he was recently commissioned
2-10     to create a life-size sculpture of Mamie and Albert George for the
2-11     George Ranch Historical Park in Richmond, Texas, and he has a
2-12     number of his works on display at the George Bush Presidential
2-13     Library as well; and
2-14           WHEREAS, Mr. Hayes has long given generously of his time and
2-15     talent to benefit others; a dedicated volunteer for the Houston
2-16     Livestock Show and Rodeo, he has also been instrumental in
2-17     obtaining scholarships for young artists and has donated his works
2-18     to assist such worthy organizations as the Cystic Fibrosis
2-19     Foundation, the American Cancer Society, and the Sunshine Kids; and
2-20           WHEREAS, Edd Hayes is truly one of the Lone Star State's most
2-21     gifted sculptors; his talent and passion for artistic excellence
2-22     are reflected in his magnificent and unique creations, and it is
2-23     most appropriate that he be honored in light of this most recent
2-24     accolade; now, therefore, be it
2-25           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 76th Texas
2-26     Legislature hereby congratulate Edd Hayes on his selection as Texas
2-27     State Artist in the three-dimensional category for 1998-1999 and
 3-1     extend to him sincere best wishes for continued success; and, be it
 3-2     further
 3-3           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
 3-4     prepared for Mr. Hayes as an expression of high regard by the Texas
 3-5     House of Representatives.