1-1 By: Hilderbran (Senate Sponsor - Cain) H.C.R. No. 260 1-2 (In the Senate - Received from the House May 11, 2001; 1-3 May 11, 2001, read first time and referred to Committee on 1-4 Administration; May 11, 2001, reported favorably by the following 1-5 vote: Yeas 3, Nays 0; May 11, 2001, sent to printer.) 1-6 HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 1-7 WHEREAS, For three decades, the Official Texas State Arts & 1-8 Crafts Fair held at Schreiner University in Kerrville has been a 1-9 highly anticipated Memorial Day weekend event enjoyed by countless 1-10 Texans as well as visitors from throughout the nation; and 1-11 WHEREAS, The premier arts and craft show in the state, the 1-12 event showcases the best juried works for exhibit and sale by Texas 1-13 artisans in a safe, friendly, family-oriented environment, and it 1-14 is organized and promoted each year by the Texas Arts and Crafts 1-15 Educational Foundation, Inc.; and 1-16 WHEREAS, Originally under the auspices of the Texas Tourist 1-17 Development Agency, the fair was overseen by that agency for its 1-18 first three years until 1975, when its management was relinquished 1-19 to the newly formed Texas Arts and Crafts Foundation, which had 1-20 been established to govern the fair's operations; and 1-21 WHEREAS, Renamed the Texas Arts and Crafts Educational 1-22 Foundation, Inc., in 1984, the organization is today led by 1-23 executive director Annette Butler and an 18-member board of 1-24 directors who remain committed to the goals of promoting 1-25 handcrafted works of the finest quality from Texas artists, 1-26 offering educational programs in the arts, including the awarding 1-27 of scholarships to Texas high school seniors through its Young 1-28 Artist competition, and the preservation of native arts and crafts; 1-29 and 1-30 WHEREAS, The foundation's main project, the Official Texas 1-31 State Arts & Crafts Fair, has proven to be an economic windfall for 1-32 Kerr County as sales by exhibitors have exceeded three-quarters of 1-33 a million dollars, making it one of the most profitable single 1-34 events in the county; and 1-35 WHEREAS, Since its inception, the Texas Arts and Crafts 1-36 Educational Foundation, Inc., has promoted an increased interest in 1-37 and appreciation of the work of the Lone Star State's many gifted 1-38 artists, while providing a welcome addition to the state's cultural 1-39 attractions; now, therefore, be it 1-40 RESOLVED, That the 77th Legislature of the State of Texas 1-41 hereby commend the Texas Arts and Crafts Educational Foundation, 1-42 Inc., for its significant contributions to the advancement of the 1-43 arts in Texas; and, be it further 1-44 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 1-45 prepared for the foundation as an expression of high regard by the 1-46 Texas House of Representatives and Senate. 1-47 * * * * *