SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 183
         WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to
  recognize the Blanton Museum of Art at The University of Texas as
  it celebrates its 50th anniversary on February 16, 2013; and
 
         WHEREAS, For decades, this Austin institution has been a
  repository for some of the region's most esteemed collections; in
  the past 15 years, the Blanton has skyrocketed to national
  prominence, and its reputation has grown exponentially with the
  opening of a spectacular new home and the rapid expansion of its
  international collections; and
 
         WHEREAS, Today, the Blanton Museum of Art claims one of the
  most coveted Old Masters collections in the nation; its
  multifaceted Latin American holdings are among the country's
  most comprehensive; and
 
         WHEREAS, Originally known as the University Art Museum,
  the Blanton has a long and storied history that spans locations,
  savvy donors, and colorful characters; its origins can be traced
  to the Roaring '20s, a large swath of land near the Gulf of
  Mexico, and a generous New York heir and his sculptor wife; and
 
         WHEREAS, In 1927, Archer M. Huntington and Anna Hyatt
  Huntington donated to The University of Texas a 4,000-acre tract
  in Galveston; the land was eventually sold, and the proceeds from
  the sale created an endowment for the museum, which opened in
  1963 on the Austin campus; and
 
         WHEREAS, Many art world luminaries and writers have
  contributed to the success and scope of today's Blanton; the core
  collections include a 1971 gift of Latin American works from John
  and Barbara Duncan that consists of 1,200 drawings and some 200
  paintings; donations from C. R. Smith and Charles Clark laid the
  foundation for the museum's American Western art and
  contemporary prints holdings; and
 
         WHEREAS, Among the most noted gifts was that of author
  James Michener and his wife, Mari; this acquisition took place
  over decades and culminated in a collection of approximately 400
  American paintings from the 20th century; and
 
         WHEREAS, The Blanton's reputation was sealed with the
  acquisition in 1998 of the venerable Suida-Manning Collection;
  those holdings encompass hundreds of paintings and drawings by
  Renaissance and Baroque masters; and
 
         WHEREAS, Today's institution is named after Jack S.
  Blanton, a former chairman of Houston Endowment, Incorporated,
  which donated $12 million to help with the new museum's
  construction; designed by Kallmann McKinnell & Wood Architects,
  the building was opened in 2006, after many years of
  anticipation; and
         WHEREAS, Because of these combined gifts and the
  unflagging determination of its many curators, the Blanton
  Museum of Art is now a formidable storehouse of fine art and a
  most worthy destination for international travelers and school
  students alike; now, therefore, be it
 
         RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
  83rd Legislature, hereby honor the Blanton Museum of Art on the
  occasion of its 50th anniversary and extend to its staff and
  supporters best wishes in future endeavors; and, be it further
 
         RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared as an
  expression of high regard from the Texas Senate.
 
  Watson
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
        President of the Senate
     
        I hereby certify that the
    above Resolution was adopted by
    the Senate on February 11, 2013.
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
        Secretary of the Senate
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
         Member, Texas Senate