By Hilderbran H.C.R. No. 260 77R13775 MJS-D HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 1-1 WHEREAS, For three decades, the Official Texas State Arts & 1-2 Crafts Fair held at Schreiner University in Kerrville has been a 1-3 highly anticipated Memorial Day weekend event enjoyed by countless 1-4 Texans as well as visitors from throughout the nation; and 1-5 WHEREAS, The premier arts and craft show in the state, the 1-6 event showcases the best juried works for exhibit and sale by Texas 1-7 artisans in a safe, friendly, family-oriented environment, and it 1-8 is organized and promoted each year by the Texas Arts and Crafts 1-9 Educational Foundation, Inc.; and 1-10 WHEREAS, Originally under the auspices of the Texas Tourist 1-11 Development Agency, the fair was overseen by that agency for its 1-12 first three years until 1975, when its management was relinquished 1-13 to the newly formed Texas Arts and Crafts Foundation, which had 1-14 been established to govern the fair's operations; and 1-15 WHEREAS, Renamed the Texas Arts and Crafts Educational 1-16 Foundation, Inc., in 1984, the organization is today led by 1-17 executive director Annette Butler and an 18-member board of 1-18 directors who remain committed to the goals of promoting 1-19 handcrafted works of the finest quality from Texas artists, 1-20 offering educational programs in the arts, including the awarding 1-21 of scholarships to Texas high school seniors through its Young 1-22 Artist competition, and the preservation of native arts and crafts; 1-23 and 1-24 WHEREAS, The foundation's main project, the Official Texas 2-1 State Arts & Crafts Fair, has proven to be an economic windfall for 2-2 Kerr County as sales by exhibitors have exceeded three-quarters of 2-3 a million dollars, making it one of the most profitable single 2-4 events in the county; and 2-5 WHEREAS, Since its inception, the Texas Arts and Crafts 2-6 Educational Foundation, Inc., has promoted an increased interest in 2-7 and appreciation of the work of the Lone Star State's many gifted 2-8 artists, while providing a welcome addition to the state's cultural 2-9 attractions; now, therefore, be it 2-10 RESOLVED, That the 77th Legislature of the State of Texas 2-11 hereby commend the Texas Arts and Crafts Educational Foundation, 2-12 Inc., for its significant contributions to the advancement of the 2-13 arts in Texas; and, be it further 2-14 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-15 prepared for the foundation as an expression of high regard by the 2-16 Texas House of Representatives and Senate.