TITLE: Commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Texas Historical Commission.

SUMMARY: Commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Texas Historical Commission.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, The Texas Historical Commission is celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2013, and this is a fitting opportunity to recognize the commission for its immeasurable contribution to preserving the history and heritage of the Lone Star State; and WHEREAS, Founded as the Texas State Historical Survey Committee by the Texas Legislature in 1953, the agency was charged with sponsoring projects and serving as a clearinghouse to record and preserve material culture from all phases of Texas history, in concert with state, regional, and local groups as well as individuals; it was to accomplish this mission by designating historic houses, sites, and landmarks, preserving important documents and artifacts, and publishing and distributing materials about Texas history; and WHEREAS, The first Texas Historical Marker was placed at Camp Ford in Tyler in 1962, and that same year, Eggleston House in Galveston was designated as the first Recorded Texas Historic Landmark; in 1963, the legislature gave the Survey Committee legal authority to preserve and protect the heritage of Texas, and it went on to empower the agency to administer the Office of the State Archeologist; and WHEREAS, After the U.S. Congress passed the National Historic Preservation Act in 1966, Governor John Connally made the Survey Committee responsible for administering the act in Texas, and three years later, the legislature created the Antiquities Code of Texas and established the Texas Antiquities Committee to protect all cultural resources within the state; and WHEREAS, In 1973, the name of the Survey Committee was changed to the Texas Historical Commission, and the legislature granted the commission additional protective powers and expanded its leadership role and educational responsibilities; and WHEREAS, The THC created the Texas Main Street Program in 1981, and today it ranks as one of the oldest and largest such efforts in the nation; this initiative has played a crucial role in the restoration and revitalization of the downtown area in more than 80 Texas communities, 67 of which recently received national recognition for their progress; each year, the First Lady of Texas personally welcomes each new Main Street City into the program; and WHEREAS, In 1995, the duties of the Texas Antiquities Committee were transferred to the commission, and that same year, THC archeologists made a spectacular discovery when they found the 17th-century French explorer Robert de La Salle's sunken ship, La Belle,in Matagorda Bay; thanks to a special appropriation of $1.7 million, nearly two million artifacts were recovered from the site, and today the hull of the ship is being prepared for display at the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum; and WHEREAS, The THC was granted oversight authority for the Governor's Mansion in Austin in 1998, and that same year the Texas preservation trust fund was established; also in 1998, the commission launched its Texas Heritage Trails Program with the inauguration of the Texas Forts Trail Region; now encompassing 10 heritage regions, all centered on a scenic driving trail, this program was recognized with the Preserve America Presidential Award in 2005; and WHEREAS, In 1999, the legislature provided $50 million to the THC to restore historic county courthouses, and 83 counties have participated in this award-winning program, which has generated nearly 10,000 jobs, $269 million in income, and more than $367 million in gross state product; in addition, 18 historic sites were transferred from the Parks and Wildlife Department to the THC in 2007; with the aid of a $34 million bond issue, the commission has restored several of those sites, resulting in a six percent increase in visitors; in 2009, the THC joined with the Texas Department of Transportation to create the Historic Highways program; and WHEREAS, For six decades, the Texas Historical Commission has provided an invaluable service to the people of Texas, recording our heritage, preserving our landmarks, and drawing national and international attention to the real people and real stories that make up the rich history of the Lone Star State; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas Legislature hereby commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Texas Historical Commission and extend to the commission's staff sincere best wishes for continued success with its important work; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for the commission as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Guillen Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 990 was adopted by the House on March 27, 2013, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House