H.C.R. No. 163
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Celebrated artist George Rodrigue has given most
generously of his time and talent to assist recovery efforts after
Hurricanes Katrina and Rita; and
WHEREAS, A native of New Iberia, the heart of Cajun country,
Mr. Rodrigue started painting and sculpting as a child; he studied
art at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and later the Art
Center College of Design in Los Angeles; returning to Louisiana in
1967, he painted canvasses imbued with his love for the landscapes,
people, legends, and motifs of Acadiana; his work was exhibited in
London and Paris and was chosen by the U.S. State Department as an
official gift for visiting heads of state; and
WHEREAS, In 1984, Mr. Rodrigue was commissioned to illustrate
a book of Cajun ghost stories; inspired by the image of a beloved
pet, a spaniel-terrier mix, he painted his vision of the mythical
loup-garou; the appealing Blue Dog, with its pointy ears and
enigmatic gaze, continued to find its way into his paintings of live
oak trees, cemeteries, and myriad other settings over the years,
achieving iconic status and bringing him international fame; and
WHEREAS, In recent years, Mr. Rodrigue has gained renown for
his philanthropy as well as his art; he raised half a million
dollars for the American Red Cross after September 11, 2001,
through sales of prints from his painting "God Bless America"; he
has supported numerous Louisiana arts groups and in 2003, he
conducted a weeklong workshop for children from around the world at
the National Mall in Washington, D.C.; his print incorporating the
children's artwork and the Blue Dog raised $400,000 for the
International Child Arts Festival; and
WHEREAS, This civic-minded artist sprang into action with his
Blue Dog Relief effort following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in
2005; he created a series of prints that raised more than $1.5
million for such organizations as the Chef Paul Prudhomme Katrina
Fund, the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities, and the Southeast
Louisiana chapters of the Red Cross and the United Way; moreover, he
painted a special Blue Dog entangled in red tape for the United
Way's nationwide campaign to improve access to crisis aid through a
consistent three-digit 2-1-1 dialing system; and
WHEREAS, Launching his own campaign for levees capable of
withstanding Category 5 hurricanes, Mr. Rodrigue sent posters,
bumper stickers, t-shirts, and buttons with the slogan "To Stay
Alive We Need Levee 5" to every member of the U.S. Congress;
proceeds from related silkscreen prints and campaign materials have
been donated to the New Orleans Museum of Art, which was closed for
six months because of flood damage; overall, his Blue Dog Relief
program has raised some $2.5 million for Gulf Coast recovery; and
WHEREAS, The Blue Dog has long been a pop art sensation;
through his tireless dedication to hurricane relief efforts, George
Rodrigue has made the Blue Dog a symbol of hope, caring, and
generosity as well; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 81st Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby commend George Rodrigue for his philanthropic work following
Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and extend to him best wishes for
continued success in his endeavors; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Mr. Rodrigue as an expression of high regard by the
Texas House of Representatives and Senate.
Homer
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.C.R. No. 163 was adopted by the House on
April 6, 2009, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.C.R. No. 163 was adopted by the Senate on
April 8, 2009, by a viva-voce vote.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: __________________
Date
__________________
Governor