H.R. No. 927



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, Between 1933 and 1945, the National Socialist party 
of Germany implemented official policies of mass murder and torture 
that led to the killing of six million Jews, including a staggering 
1.5 million children, and five million other Europeans deemed 
"undesirable"; and
	WHEREAS, The El Paso Holocaust Museum and Study Center was 
established to honor the survivors of the Nazi Holocaust, to pay 
respect to those who lost relatives and friends, and to pay  tribute 
to those who died during one of history's darkest and most 
terrifying periods; and
	WHEREAS, First established in 1984 in a single room in the El 
Paso Jewish Community Center, this remarkable institution has won 
international recognition and support; it moved into its own 
dedicated facility in 1994, fulfilling the vision of its founder, 
Holocaust survivor and distinguished Texan Henry Kellen and 
featuring an impressive collection of artifacts, documents, 
videotapes, and items retrieved from the ghettos, killing fields, 
labor camps, and death camps of Europe during World War II; and
	WHEREAS, An electrical fire in 2001 destroyed many of these 
important items on display, but the committed and compassionate 
citizens of El Paso have rallied to the museum's assistance, 
helping to raise money toward the rebuilding of the facility, as 
well as toward its current and future education and museum 
acquisition programs; the new building, designed by Mexican 
architect Fernando Romero, will be located in the downtown district 
of El Paso, contributing to that city's growing reputation as a 
vibrant cultural center, and the museum is projected to reopen in 
2005; and
	WHEREAS, The El Paso Holocaust Museum and Study Center has, 
over the course of the past decade, created educational programs, 
organized commemorative events, promoted greater awareness of hate 
crimes, and provided a venue in which Holocaust survivors and 
concentration camp liberators can share their experiences with 
future generations; through its efforts, tens of thousands of 
Texans have learned more about the dangers of religious and 
political zealotry, perils that continue to foster wars, violent 
crimes, and terrorist attacks in nations across the globe; now, 
therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 78th Texas 
Legislature hereby honor the El Paso Holocaust Museum and Study 
Center and extend to its curators, staff, and supporters sincere 
best wishes for a successful reopening of the facility in 2005; and, 
be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for the museum as an expression of highest regard by the 
Texas House of Representatives.

                                                                          Chavez

                                                  ______________________________
                                                       Speaker of the House     

	I certify that H.R. No. 927 was adopted by the House on May 
16, 2003, by a non-record vote.

                                                  ______________________________
                                                     Chief Clerk of the House