R E S O L U T I O N
 1-1           WHEREAS, The Texas House of Representatives takes great pride
 1-2     in honoring Rodney Johnson of Georgetown on being named
 1-3     Swedish-American of the Year for 1999, and his remarkable
 1-4     contributions to the preservation of Swedish-American culture and
 1-5     history in Texas indeed merit special legislative recognition; and
 1-6           WHEREAS, Mr. Johnson's paternal grandparents emigrated from
 1-7     Sweden to the United States in 1893 and the family established a
 1-8     farm in Williamson County near the community of Jonah; it was there
 1-9     that Mr. Johnson was born and raised before accepting a Naval ROTC
1-10     scholarship to the University of Nebraska; and
1-11           WHEREAS, This esteemed gentleman  has always held a strong
1-12     interest in Swedish tradition, culture, and history, and he has
1-13     become a recognized talent in woodcarving, blending the styles of
1-14     his native Texas with those of his Swedish forbears; and
1-15           WHEREAS, His talent has earned him approval as an "Artist in
1-16     Education" by the Texas Commission for the Arts, and many pieces of
1-17     his work are exhibited alongside his father's woodcarvings at The
1-18     Institute of Texan Cultures in San Antonio; and
1-19           WHEREAS, Mr. Johnson is the past president of the Texas
1-20     Swedish Pioneers Association, a charter member of Carl Widen VASA
1-21     Lodge #743, a founding member of the governing board for Viking
1-22     Fest in Georgetown, and a board member of the Texas Swedish
1-23     Cultural Foundation in Houston; and
1-24           WHEREAS, His participation on the committee responsible for
 2-1     translating the 1918 publication Svenskarne i Texas has provided a
 2-2     valuable source of documentation of the original Swedish families
 2-3     that settled Texas, while his work on the steering committee for
 2-4     the Swedish Studies Excellence Endowment at The University of Texas
 2-5     at Austin will ensure the continued exploration and study of
 2-6     Swedish influence and history; and
 2-7           WHEREAS, Mr. Johnson has truly distinguished himself through
 2-8     his efforts to preserve and cherish the Swedish legacy for the
 2-9     future, and it is justly fitting to honor him; now, therefore, be
2-10     it
2-11           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 76th Texas
2-12     Legislature hereby congratulate Rodney Johnson on being named
2-13     Swedish-American of the Year for 1999 and extend to him warmest
2-14     best wishes for continued success and happiness; and, be it further
2-15           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
2-16     prepared for Mr. Johnson as an expression of highest regard by the
2-17     Texas House of Representatives.
                                                                    Marchant
                                             _______________________________
                                                   Speaker of the House
               I certify that H.R. No. 972 was adopted by the House on May
         27, 1999, by a non-record vote.
                                             _______________________________
                                                 Chief Clerk of the House