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.