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79R17871 MMS-D

By:  Hilderbran                                                 H.C.R. No. 214



CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
	WHEREAS, The Texas Commission on the Arts has announced the 
2005 and 2006 appointments for the positions of State Poet 
Laureate, State Musician, State Two-Dimensional Artist, and State 
Three-Dimensional Artist; and
	WHEREAS, Honorees are chosen for the exceptional quality of 
their work and for their outstanding commitment to the arts in 
Texas; the 2005 appointees are Texas Poet Laureate Alan Birkelbach 
of Plano, Texas State Musician Johnny Gimble of Tyler, Texas State 
Two-Dimensional Artist Kathy Vargas of San Antonio, and Texas State 
Three-Dimensional Artist Sharon Kopriva of Houston; and
	WHEREAS, The 2006 appointees include Texas Poet Laureate Red 
Steagall of Fort Worth, Texas State Musician Billy Joe Shaver of 
Waco, Texas State Two-Dimensional Artist George Boutwell of Bosque, 
and Texas State Three-Dimensional Artist James Surls of Athens; and
	WHEREAS, Nominees for these prestigious positions must 
either be native Texans or have resided in the state for at least 
five years; in addition, they must have received critical reviews 
in state, regional, or national publications, and they must have 
achieved recognition for high levels of excellence and success in 
their respective disciplines; and
	WHEREAS, To be considered for the position of State Poet 
Laureate, nominees must have compiled a substantial body of work, 
including at least one publication that is not a self-published or 
vanity-press release; State Musician nominees must have produced a 
substantial body of work, including at least two nationally 
available records, or taught music for at least 20 years in a formal 
classroom, or they must receive the majority of their income from 
musical endeavors; State Visual Artist nominees must work in two- 
or three-dimensional art mediums, must have been represented in at 
least one one-person show, and must have an extensive history of 
exhibiting in recognized museums and galleries; and
	WHEREAS, Nominations are made by Texas citizens and reviewed 
by the Texas Commission on the Arts, which develops a list of 
finalists; the Texas Poet Laureate, State Musician, and State 
Artist Committee, composed of members appointed by the governor, 
lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house of representatives, 
makes the final selections; and
	WHEREAS, The men and women who have been selected to hold 
these distinguished posts for the next two years have contributed 
magnificently to the vibrant cultural life of the Lone Star State, 
and it is indeed a pleasure to recognize them at this time; now, 
therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the 79th Legislature of the State of Texas 
hereby honor the 2005 and 2006 appointees to the positions of State 
Poet Laureate, State Musician, State Two-Dimensional Artist, and 
State Three-Dimensional Artist and extend to them sincere best 
wishes for continued success.