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H.R. No. 804
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The Sam Rayburn Library and Museum in Bonham is
celebrating its 50th anniversary on December 9, 2005, and this
occasion provides an opportunity to take note of the history of this
landmark and to honor its esteemed namesake, Speaker Sam Rayburn;
and
WHEREAS, Samuel Taliaferro Rayburn was the longest-serving
Speaker of the United States House of Representatives in our
nation's history; born near Kingston, Tennessee, in 1882, he moved
to Fannin County as a child and attended rural schools before
studying law at The University of Texas at Austin; he settled in
Bonham, where he practiced law, and served as a member of the Texas
House of Representatives; in 1913, he was elected to the U.S.
Congress and served 24 consecutive terms until his death in 1961;
and
WHEREAS, In the 1940s, Speaker Rayburn initiated efforts to
build a library to house his books, personal papers, and mementos,
and soon after, he established a charitable trust, the Sam Rayburn
Foundation, to collect sufficient funds for the new building
project; an architect from Dallas, Roscoe DeWitt, offered his
services as a donation, and the foundation purchased a plot of land
for $10,000; groundbreaking ceremonies took place on December 10,
1955, and the building was completed in 1957; and
WHEREAS, This treasured library is a valuable site of
American history and a lasting tribute to a great political leader;
the building preserves the materials of the Speaker's 48-year
political career and includes an exact replica of his office at the
U.S. Capitol; the museum houses a rare collection of Congressional
and Presidential papers, artifacts, furnishings, and books; and
WHEREAS, The Sam Rayburn Library and Museum is a unique
monument to regional and national politics during the first half of
the 20th century, and it is most fitting to pay tribute to all those
who have worked to preserve the building and sustain the legacy of
its heralded statesman; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas
Legislature hereby honor the Sam Rayburn Library and Museum on the
occasion of its 50th anniversary and extend sincere best wishes to
all those involved with this venerable institution for continued
success in their important work.
Phillips
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 804 was adopted by the House on March
31, 2005, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House