| |
|
|
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 553
|
|
|
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas takes pleasure in |
|
|
recognizing the McDonald Observatory as it prepares to celebrate |
|
|
75 years of groundbreaking astronomical research; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, This internationally acclaimed facility is |
|
|
operated by The University of Texas at Austin; it has been |
|
|
responsible for scores of significant observations and |
|
|
discoveries that have profound implications for the development |
|
|
of astronomy and of mankind's understanding of the universe; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, Established May 5, 1939, with the dedication of |
|
|
its signature 82-inch telescope, the observatory has become one |
|
|
of the world's premier research sites; it is a leader in |
|
|
kindergarten through 12th grade education and outreach programs |
|
|
and provides students unparalleled opportunities to learn about |
|
|
the astronomical wonders of the universe; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, The Hobby-Eberly Telescope is one of the world's |
|
|
largest telescopes and is one of many instruments used by the |
|
|
observatory to chart previously unknown areas of the universe; |
|
|
the Hobby-Eberly Telescope Dark Energy Experiment is slated to |
|
|
begin in 2014 and will collect data on 11 million galaxies and |
|
|
yield the largest map of the universe ever produced; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, The observatory is also a partner in the Giant |
|
|
Magellan Telescope project, which will be the next generation of |
|
|
telescopes and will shed light on the origins and evolutions of |
|
|
galaxies, stars, black holes, and planetary systems and will |
|
|
explore the properties of dark matter and dark energy; |
|
|
WHEREAS, To honor its upcoming 75th anniversary, the |
|
|
McDonald Observatory has designated September 1, 2013 through |
|
|
August 31, 2014, as a year of celebration and special events; in |
|
|
observance of this milestone, it is indeed fitting that this |
|
|
premier facility, which draws stargazers and astronomers from |
|
|
around the planet, be recognized as one of the Lone Star State's |
|
|
most prized resources; now, therefore, be it |
|
|
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 83rd |
|
|
Legislature, hereby commend the McDonald Observatory as it |
|
|
approaches its 75th anniversary and extend to all associated with |
|
|
the observatory sincere best wishes for a productive and |
|
|
successful yearlong celebration; and, be it further |
|
|
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for |
|
|
the observatory to commemorate its 75th anniversary. |
|
|
Rodriguez |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
________________________________ |
|
|
|
President of the Senate |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I hereby certify that the |
|
|
|
above Resolution was adopted by |
|
|
|
the Senate on April 23, 2013. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
________________________________ |
|
|
|
Secretary of the Senate |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
________________________________ |
|
|
|
Member, Texas Senate |