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H.R. No. 655
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, After an extensive program of restoration, the Val
Verde County Courthouse in Del Rio was rededicated on July 23, 2004;
and
WHEREAS, Originally built in the Victorian style, the
courthouse was completed in 1887, two years after the county was
established; noted Texas architects Jacob L. Larmour and Arthur O.
Watson designed the limestone structure, which is the oldest extant
example of their courthouse commissions; and
WHEREAS, In 1915, another prominent Texas architect, Atlee B.
Ayers, was hired to repair and modify the building; Mr. Ayers
removed most of the ornate detailing and altered the interior and
exterior in ways that produced a neoclassical appearance; and
WHEREAS, By the late 20th century, the courthouse had
deteriorated to a dangerous degree, and in 1995 it was listed as one
of the 10 most endangered historic properties in the state; between
1995 and 2000, the building underwent interior restoration at a
cost of $1.5 million, but the future of the courthouse remained in
doubt, owing to the poor condition of the exterior masonry and other
damage; and
WHEREAS, With a $2.5 million grant from the Texas Historical
Commission, through its Texas Historic Courthouse Preservation
Program, another extensive plan of restoration was undertaken to
make the building wholly sound; the new work included the repair and
replacement of stone, the pointing of mortar joints, and the
rebuilding of the porches at all four entrances, as well as the
reconfiguration of the courtroom in accordance with its 1915
arrangement; and
WHEREAS, One of the best remaining examples of 19th century
architecture in the region, the Val Verde County Courthouse is
listed in the National Register of Historic Places, and its
preservation marks a distinct contribution to the rich social and
cultural heritage of the Lone Star State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas
Legislature hereby congratulate the citizens of Val Verde County on
the completed restoration of their handsome courthouse and extend
to all those involved in that important work sincere appreciation.
Gallego
Craddick Geren Menendez
Allen of Harris Giddings Merritt
Allen of Dallas Gonzales Miller
Alonzo Gonzalez Toureilles Moreno of Harris
Anchia Goodman Moreno of El Paso
Anderson Goolsby Morrison
Bailey Griggs Mowery
Baxter Grusendorf Naishtat
Berman Guillen Nixon
Blake Haggerty Noriega
Bohac Hamilton Oliveira
Bonnen Hamric Olivo
Branch Hardcastle Orr
Brown of Kaufman Harper-Brown Otto
Brown of Brazos Hartnett Paxton
Burnam Hegar Pena
Callegari Herrero Phillips
Campbell Hilderbran Pickett
Casteel Hill Pitts
Castro Hochberg Puente
Chavez Hodge Quintanilla
Chisum Homer Raymond
Coleman Hope Reyna
Cook of Navarro Hopson Riddle
Cook of Colorado Howard Ritter
Corte Hughes Rodriguez
Crabb Hunter Rose
Crownover Hupp Seaman
Davis of Harris Isett Smith of Tarrant
Davis of Dallas Jackson Smith of Harris
Dawson Jones of Lubbock Smithee
Delisi Jones of Dallas Solis
Denny Keel Solomons
Deshotel Keffer of Dallas Strama
Driver Keffer of Eastland Straus
Dukes King of Parker Swinford
Dunnam King of Zavala Talton
Dutton Kolkhorst Taylor
Edwards Krusee Thompson
Eiland Kuempel Truitt
Eissler Laney Turner
Elkins Laubenberg Uresti
Escobar Leibowitz Van Arsdale
Farabee Luna Veasey
Farrar Madden Villarreal
Flores Martinez Vo
Flynn Martinez Fischer West
Frost McCall Wong
Gallego McClendon Woolley
Gattis McReynolds Zedler
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 655 was adopted by the House on March
17, 2005, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House