H.C.R. No. 163

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Celebrated artist George Rodrigue has given most generously of his time and talent to assist recovery efforts after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita; and

WHEREAS, A native of New Iberia, the heart of Cajun country, Mr. Rodrigue started painting and sculpting as a child; he studied art at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and later the Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles; returning to Louisiana in 1967, he painted canvasses imbued with his love for the landscapes, people, legends, and motifs of Acadiana; his work was exhibited in London and Paris and was chosen by the U.S. State Department as an official gift for visiting heads of state; and

WHEREAS, In 1984, Mr. Rodrigue was commissioned to illustrate a book of Cajun ghost stories; inspired by the image of a beloved pet, a spaniel-terrier mix, he painted his vision of the mythical loup-garou; the appealing Blue Dog, with its pointy ears and enigmatic gaze, continued to find its way into his paintings of live oak trees, cemeteries, and myriad other settings over the years, achieving iconic status and bringing him international fame; and

WHEREAS, In recent years, Mr. Rodrigue has gained renown for his philanthropy as well as his art; he raised half a million dollars for the American Red Cross after September 11, 2001, through sales of prints from his painting "God Bless America"; he has supported numerous Louisiana arts groups and in 2003, he conducted a weeklong workshop for children from around the world at the National Mall in Washington, D.C.; his print incorporating the children's artwork and the Blue Dog raised $400,000 for the International Child Arts Festival; and

WHEREAS, This civic-minded artist sprang into action with his Blue Dog Relief effort following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005; he created a series of prints that raised more than $1.5 million for such organizations as the Chef Paul Prudhomme Katrina Fund, the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities, and the Southeast Louisiana chapters of the Red Cross and the United Way; moreover, he painted a special Blue Dog entangled in red tape for the United Way's nationwide campaign to improve access to crisis aid through a consistent three-digit 2-1-1 dialing system; and

WHEREAS, Launching his own campaign for levees capable of withstanding Category 5 hurricanes, Mr. Rodrigue sent posters, bumper stickers, t-shirts, and buttons with the slogan "To Stay Alive We Need Levee 5" to every member of the U.S. Congress; proceeds from related silkscreen prints and campaign materials have been donated to the New Orleans Museum of Art, which was closed for six months because of flood damage; overall, his Blue Dog Relief program has raised some $2.5 million for Gulf Coast recovery; and

WHEREAS, The Blue Dog has long been a pop art sensation; through his tireless dedication to hurricane relief efforts, George Rodrigue has made the Blue Dog a symbol of hope, caring, and generosity as well; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the 81st Legislature of the State of Texas hereby commend George Rodrigue for his philanthropic work following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and extend to him best wishes for continued success in his endeavors; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for Mr. Rodrigue as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives and Senate.

Homer

______________________________ ______________________________

President of the Senate Speaker of the House

I certify that H.C.R. No. 163 was adopted by the House on April 6, 2009, by a non-record vote.

______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House

I certify that H.C.R. No. 163 was adopted by the Senate on April 8, 2009, by a viva-voce vote.

______________________________ Secretary of the Senate APPROVED: __________________

Date

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Governor