By Hunter                                              H.R. No. 964
         77R14495 MW-D                           
                                 R E S O L U T I O N
 1-1           WHEREAS, On January 13, 2001, the Grace Museum in Abilene
 1-2     opened an exhibit of paintings by the world-renowned Italian artist
 1-3     Benini that were inspired by his Texas surroundings; and
 1-4           WHEREAS, Working from his studio in the Texas Hill Country at
 1-5     Rancio Le Stelle, Benini uses brilliant colors and illusions of
 1-6     dimensionality to pull the viewer into his Texas experience, which
 1-7     for him is "a land of freedom with no limits"; Benini derives from
 1-8     his Texas environment a surge of energy as well as the desire to
 1-9     experiment with different colors and shapes; and
1-10           WHEREAS, Benini's artwork has been exhibited throughout the
1-11     world and has hung on the walls of the White House; in 1986, he was
1-12     invited by the American Rose Society to create a symbolic painting
1-13     to commemorate President Ronald Reagan's declaration of the rose as
1-14     the official national flower of America, and his creation,
1-15     "L'Ultima Rosa," was an undeniable success; and
1-16           WHEREAS, In 1986, Benini became an American citizen, and
1-17     since 1999 he has been a resident of the Texas Hill Country, where
1-18     he lives with his wife, Lorraine, on their ranch, which was once
1-19     owned by President Lyndon B. Johnson; and
1-20           WHEREAS, The Abilene exhibit, which ran until March 20, 2001,
1-21     was sponsored by the Abilene Diagnostic Clinic; it showcased the
1-22     artist's ability to communicate his enthusiasm for his new Texas
1-23     home; and
1-24           WHEREAS, Benini is an artist whose critically acclaimed work
 2-1     has appealed to large audiences for decades, and it is appropriate
 2-2     to take the opportunity presented by Abilene's Grace Museum
 2-3     exhibition to honor this outstanding artist; now, therefore, be it
 2-4           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas
 2-5     Legislature hereby recognize the myriad artistic accomplishments of
 2-6     Benini and extend to him best wishes for continued success and
 2-7     happiness; and, be it further
 2-8           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
 2-9     prepared for Benini as an expression of high regard by the Texas
2-10     House of Representatives.