This website will be unavailable from Thursday, May 30, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. through Monday, June 3, 2024 at 7:00 a.m. due to data center maintenance.

                                                                                



                                                                  H.R. No. 1760



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, The passing of acclaimed Dallas artist Arthello 
Beck, Jr., on November 5, 2004, at the age of 63, has brought a 
profound loss to the family, friends, and many admirers of this 
esteemed Texan; and
	WHEREAS, Born in Dallas on July 17, 1941, Mr. Beck devoted his 
life to honoring his cultural heritage by capturing on canvas the 
essence of African American life in the Southwest; his impressive 
body of work also includes landscapes, portraits, and other images 
inspired by his travels in Jamaica, England, West Africa, Egypt, 
Brazil, and Central America; working in oil, watercolor, pencil, 
and charcoal, he depicted his own personal evolution as well as the 
historical and religious experiences of the African American 
community; and
	WHEREAS, This largely self-taught painter received his only 
formal art training at Lincoln High School; he continued his art 
education by searching the library for art books during his breaks 
at various clerical and janitorial jobs at department stores and 
the post office; and
	WHEREAS, His paintings and drawings have hung in museums, 
galleries, and universities in the United States and abroad, and he 
received an array of prestigious awards and honors throughout his 
career, including his appointment as an ambassador of goodwill by 
Governor Mark White in 1985; and
	WHEREAS, Mr. Beck gave of himself not only through his 
artwork but also through his service; the former 
artist-in-residence at both the Interdenominational Theological 
Center in Atlanta and Paul Quinn College, he worked with patients at 
the Dallas County Mental Health and Mental Retardation Center and 
shared his passion for art as a teacher at a number of schools, 
including Mountain View College; moreover, he provided a 
much-needed venue where area African American artists could exhibit 
their work by founding the Arthello Beck Gallery in Oak Cliff; a 
member of the National Conference of Artists and the Southwest 
Alliance of African American Artists, he was also one of the 
original founders of the Southwest Black Artists Guild; and
	WHEREAS, Arthello Beck was a man of tremendous talent, and 
although his presence will indeed be greatly missed, his spirit 
will live on in the memories of the many people fortunate enough to 
have known him and in the inspiring works that he leaves behind; 
now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas 
Legislature hereby pay special tribute to the life of Arthello 
Beck, Jr., and extend deepest sympathy to his family:  to his wife, 
Mae Beck; to his daughter, Mashariki Beck Okpiabhele; to his three 
grandchildren; and to all who mourn the passing of this gifted man; 
and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of 
Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Arthello 
Beck, Jr.

                                                                 Davis of Dallas


                                                  ______________________________
                                                       Speaker of the House     

	I certify that H.R. No. 1760 was unanimously adopted by a 
rising vote of the House on May 24, 2005.

                                                  ______________________________
                                                     Chief Clerk of the House