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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The retirement of Marise McDermott as president and |
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CEO of the Witte Museum in San Antonio on December 31, 2023, offers |
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a fitting opportunity to reflect on her outstanding record of |
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achievement; and |
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WHEREAS, Ms. McDermott assumed leadership of the Witte Museum |
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in 2004 after serving as the inaugural director of its Humanities |
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Center for a decade; under her guidance, the museum has experienced |
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considerable growth in attendance, and its campus underwent a $100 |
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million expansion that contributed to the revitalization of the |
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Broadway Corridor; she also oversaw the renovation to the main |
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building, which has since been the site of numerous science, |
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nature, and culture exhibits and events, including the annual |
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Fiesta coronation gown shows, a major survey of Texas painting and |
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sculpture, and the Black Cowboys: An American Story exhibition; and |
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WHEREAS, Before joining the Witte Museum, Ms. McDermott |
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enjoyed a successful career in journalism, working for the San |
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Angelo Standard-Times, the Austin American-Statesman, and the San |
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Antonio Light; following her retirement, she will become the Witte |
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president emeritus, helping with the leadership transition as well |
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as the museum's 100th anniversary activities; and |
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WHEREAS, Highly respected by her peers, Ms. McDermott has |
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served as chair of the American Alliance of Museums Accreditation |
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Commission; she has further given of her time and talents through |
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leadership roles with the San Antonio Convention and Visitors |
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Bureau, the Luminaria Contemporary Arts Festival, and the Alamo |
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Plaza Advisory Committee; over the years, she has received numerous |
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accolades, including the Jack Nokes Outstanding Service Award from |
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the Texas Association of Museums, the Business Person of the Year |
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award from the San Antonio Business Journal, and the Texas Patriot |
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Award from the Daughters of the Republic of Texas; and |
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WHEREAS, Admired for her commitment to expanding access to |
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the cultural, natural, and historical heritage of Texas, Marise |
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McDermott has made significant contributions to advancing the |
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mission of the Witte Museum, and she may indeed reflect with pride |
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on a career well spent as she embarks on the next exciting chapter |
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of her life; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas |
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Legislature hereby congratulate Marise McDermott on her retirement |
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as president and CEO of the Witte Museum and extend to her sincere |
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best wishes for the future; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for Ms. McDermott as an expression of high regard by the |
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Texas House of Representatives. |