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