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79R4230 JNC-D

By:  Davis of Dallas                                              H.R. No. 158



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, People from throughout Texas and beyond are 
celebrating the February 5, 2005, opening of the new George 
Washington Carver (GWC) Museum and Cultural Center; and
	WHEREAS, The first neighborhood museum in Texas devoted to 
African American history and the only African American cultural 
center in Austin, the Carver has played an important role in the 
community for nearly 75 years; when the original historic building 
was moved to Kealing Park in 1933, it served as the Austin Public 
Library's first branch and the first library in town for African 
Americans; a larger facility was built to accommodate the needs of 
area library patrons in 1980, and the historic building was 
redesignated as a black history museum, but again the needs of the 
community outgrew the facilities, and plans were soon under way for 
a new museum and cultural center and a new addition to the GWC 
campus complex; and
	WHEREAS, This 30,000-square-foot facility features an artist 
gallery, theater, dance studio, classroom, darkroom, orientation 
room, conference room, and gift shop; in addition to housing its 
impressive collection of books, photographs, manuscripts, maps, 
and other materials that document the history of African Americans, 
it will also present exhibitions that focus primarily on black 
history and culture; three permanent interactive exhibits include 
the first in the nation to document the historical significance and 
celebration of Juneteenth, as well as "Austin African American 
Families," which promotes the importance of family history, and 
"Let's Pretend, Dr. Carver," a children's exhibition commemorating 
African American scientists and inventors; and
	WHEREAS, A true Central Texas treasure, the George Washington 
Carver Museum and Cultural Center aims to increase awareness of our 
state's rich past, and its efforts to promote education will 
undoubtedly help to preserve the Lone Star State's history and 
culture for future generations; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas 
Legislature hereby commemorate the opening of the George Washington 
Carver Museum and Cultural Center and extend to all those 
associated with this venerable institution best wishes for success 
in this exciting new era for the museum and for the people of 
Austin; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for the museum as an expression of high regard by the Texas 
House of Representatives.