By Uher                                               H.R. No. 1309
         76R17462 MDM-D                           
                                 R E S O L U T I O N
 1-1           WHEREAS, Texans will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the
 1-2     Star of the Republic Museum on March 2, 2000, and such an august
 1-3     occasion is indeed worthy of special legislative recognition; and
 1-4           WHEREAS, Dedicated on March 2, 1970, the museum is located at
 1-5     Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historical Park, which is renowned
 1-6     as the birthplace of Texas as it is the site where both the Texas
 1-7     Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the Republic
 1-8     were signed; and
 1-9           WHEREAS, Governors, legislators, state officials, and other
1-10     public officials have visited the Star of the Republic Museum and
1-11     acknowledged the rich history of the Republic of Texas being
1-12     preserved and displayed for all visitors to enjoy; the institution
1-13     has become a prime destination for thousands of people each year,
1-14     including families, groups of schoolchildren, and local, national,
1-15     and international tourists; and
1-16           WHEREAS, Created by an act of the Texas Legislature, the Star
1-17     of the Republic Museum was placed under the management of Blinn
1-18     College in 1969; instrumental in its continued success is Dr.
1-19     Donald Voelter, president of Blinn College, and his administrative
1-20     assistants; Dr. Henry J. Boehm, Jr., chairman of the Millennium
1-21     Campaign of the Washington-on-the-Brazos Park Association; Atwood
1-22     Kenjura, president of the Blinn College Board of Trustees; and
1-23     Houston McGaugh, director of the Star of the Republic Museum, and
1-24     his staff; and
 2-1           WHEREAS, For its maintenance, programs, and special events,
 2-2     the museum depends on contributions from individuals, businesses,
 2-3     and foundations to the million dollar Millennium Campaign; and            
 2-4           WHEREAS, A dynamic new interpretive project at the museum
 2-5     will encompass the overall political, military, and social history
 2-6     of the Republic of Texas; Barrington, the home of Anson Jones,
 2-7     president of the republic, will be interpreted as part of a living
 2-8     history program demonstrating life on a typical 1850s cotton
 2-9     plantation; this multifaceted attraction will give visitors a
2-10     comprehensive and unparalleled history of the people, places, and
2-11     events that created a new nation; and
2-12           WHEREAS, Since its inception, the Star of the Republic Museum
2-13     has increased awareness of our state's rich past, and its efforts
2-14     to promote education have undoubtedly helped to preserve the Lone
2-15     Star State's history and culture for future generations; now,
2-16     therefore, be it
2-17           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 76th Texas
2-18     Legislature hereby commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Star of
2-19     the Republic Museum and extend to all its administrators, staff,
2-20     volunteers, and visitors best wishes for a memorable celebration;
2-21     and, be it further
2-22           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
2-23     prepared for prominent display at the Star of the Republic Museum
2-24     as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of
2-25     Representatives.