TITLE: Honoring Joseph Janczak for building a replica of the Sam Houston Memorial Window.

SUMMARY: Honoring Joseph Janczak for building a replica of the Sam Houston Memorial Window.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, Joseph Janczak has paid meaningful tribute to early heroes of the Lone Star State by creating a replica of the Sam Houston Memorial Window; and WHEREAS, Completed in 1889, the beautiful stained glass window in the Old Main building at Sam Houston State University depicted scenes from Sam Houston's life; it also commemorated the Battle of San Jacinto and other conflicts from the state's struggle for independence; and WHEREAS, Mr. Janczak liked to study at Old Main during his years as an accounting major at Sam Houston State; impressed by the memorial window, he took many photographs of it, and he was deeply saddened when the magnificent building was destroyed by a fire in 1982; and WHEREAS, In 2010, Mr. Janczak took time away from his career as a homebuilder to care for his ailing parents in Spring; he decided to devote his leisure hours to the enormous task of building a replica of the window, and although he had no experience in this area, he duplicated the pattern by reviewing his pictures and photos from the university archives; with the help of local shops, he set about finding glass to match the colored shards he had collected from the original window, and in about a year, he completed the magnificent 7-by-17-foot replica, which incorporates a small amount of the antique glass; and WHEREAS, By re-creating the Sam Houston Memorial Window in exquisite detail, this proud native Texan has demonstrated exceptional dedication to the history and heritage of this state, and his endeavor is indeed worthy of special recognition; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas Legislature hereby honor Joseph Janczak for his reconstruction of the Sam Houston Memorial Window and extend to him sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for Mr. Janczak as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Metcalf Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 1001 was adopted by the House on March 19, 2015, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House