| H.R. No. 2474 | ||
|
|
||
| WHEREAS, Susan Weaver has retired as director of the Depot | ||
| Museum in Henderson, and it is indeed fitting to recognize her for | ||
| her three decades of distinguished service at this noteworthy | ||
| institution; and | ||
| WHEREAS, In 1979, Ms. Weaver began volunteering at the Depot | ||
| Museum, which consisted of one building on an acre of land; as | ||
| attendance grew, the museum's limited hours were expanded, and | ||
| within five years, she was working on a full-time basis; she led the | ||
| institution through decades of sustained growth, and with the | ||
| assistance of the Rusk County Historical Commission and committed | ||
| citizens, it now occupies 11 structures on five acres; through her | ||
| expertise in grant writing, the museum obtained significant awards | ||
| from such organizations as the Meadows Foundation and Texas | ||
| Folklife Resources; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Ms. Weaver guided the evolution of the annual quilt | ||
| show into the Folkart Preservation Project, which received a | ||
| prestigious commendation from the American Association for State | ||
| and Local History; the program features demonstrations and | ||
| instruction from masters of weaving, spinning, knife making, | ||
| blacksmithing, and other crafts; popular events supported by the | ||
| museum include Heritage Folkart Day, a two-day educational | ||
| experience that has introduced thousands of schoolchildren to their | ||
| county's history, and the Heritage Syrup Festival, which draws some | ||
| 20,000 people annually; the museum regularly offers quilting bees | ||
| and workshops in such crafts as wood carving; and | ||
| WHEREAS, A tireless supporter of Henderson, Ms. Weaver has | ||
| promoted tourism by giving generously of her time and talents to the | ||
| Henderson Candlelight Tour and the Rusk County Home Tour; in 2000, | ||
| Ms. Weaver cofounded the East Texas Wildflower Trails, a driving | ||
| tour that takes visitors to historic spots as they enjoy viewing the | ||
| coreopsis in bloom; moreover, she is a member of the Main Street | ||
| Landmark Committee and the Main Street Advisory Board, and served | ||
| as secretary and chair of the latter's organization committee; she | ||
| also served as chair of the chamber of commerce tourism committee, | ||
| as an officer of the Howard Dickinson House, and on the board of the | ||
| Texas Forest Trail; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Through her vision and dedication, Susan Weaver has | ||
| helped preserve the history and culture of Rusk County and enhance | ||
| knowledge of folk arts, giving area residents increased pride in | ||
| their East Texas heritage; now, therefore, be it | ||
| RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas | ||
| Legislature hereby congratulate Susan Weaver on her retirement as | ||
| director of the Depot Museum in Henderson and extend to her best | ||
| wishes for the future; and, be it further | ||
| RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be | ||
| prepared for Ms. Weaver as an expression of high regard by the Texas | ||
| House of Representatives. | ||
| Hopson | ||
| ______________________________ | ||
| Speaker of the House | ||
| I certify that H.R. No. 2474 was adopted by the House on May | ||
| 28, 2009, by a non-record vote. | ||
| ______________________________ | ||
| Chief Clerk of the House | ||