H.C.R. No. 178
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Louise Hopkins Underwood has been honored by the
YWCA of Lubbock with a Women of Excellence Award for her remarkable
achievements in the field of arts and culture, and her selection for
this tribute is most fitting; and
WHEREAS, The Women of Excellence Award was created in 1989 to
emphasize the vital roles that women play in both the civic and
professional worlds, honoring women for their achievements and for
their contributions to the community as leaders and volunteers; and
WHEREAS, Louise Underwood is one of the most influential
figures in arts and culture in Lubbock; her efforts began soon after
she moved to the city in 1946, when she became involved in the
remodeling of St. Paul's-on-the-Plains Episcopal Church kitchen
and served on the advisory board for the Lubbock Little Theater; and
WHEREAS, A woman who appreciates creative endeavors, she has
been a tireless supporter of individual artists, the Museum of
Texas Tech University and the university's College of Visual and
Performing Arts, the Lubbock Symphony Orchestra, Ballet Lubbock,
and local theater groups; she was a founding member of the Texas
Alliance for Education and the Arts, the Lubbock Cultural and Arts
Commission, and Acteens, a student writing and acting initiative;
and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Underwood has been involved extensively with
the West Texas Museum Association, where she cocreated the WTMA
Kite Fest in 1986 to involve children and families in the museum;
she has also opened her home for numerous receptions and dinners for
specific artists and educational and fund-raising efforts; and
WHEREAS, With vision and determination, this notable Texan
and cofounder Neal Hanslik developed an ambitious proposal in 1997
to build a community arts center; the dream has become a reality,
thanks in large part to Mrs. Underwood's research, efforts to gain
local support, and fund-raising ability; the Louise Hopkins
Underwood Center for the Arts opened in 2007, providing offices for
nonprofit organizations, a theater, and space for classes,
exhibitions, meetings, and studios; and
WHEREAS, A Champion of the Arts award from the Texas Alliance
for Education and the Arts and the Dynamic Force Award from the
Lubbock Arts Alliance are among Mrs. Underwood's most cherished
honors; and
WHEREAS, In addition to being a patron of the arts, she has
also shared her time with the League of Women Voters, the library,
Lubbock Heritage Society, Planned Parenthood, and Hospice of
Lubbock; honoring her late husband, Harris, Mrs. Underwood
established an endowed professorship in orthopedics at the Texas
Tech University Health Sciences Center in 1997; and
WHEREAS, With her receipt of a Women of Excellence Award,
Louise Underwood joins an elite group of women who have been honored
by the YWCA of Lubbock; distinguished by her intelligence,
determination, and talent, she is indeed a worthy role model for
this and future generations; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 81st Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby congratulate Louise Hopkins Underwood on receiving a 2009
Women of Excellence Award from the YWCA of Lubbock and extend to her
sincere best wishes for continued success and happiness; and, be it
further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Mrs. Underwood as an expression of high regard by the
Texas House of Representatives and Senate.
Isett
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.C.R. No. 178 was adopted by the House on
April 27, 2009, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.C.R. No. 178 was adopted by the Senate on May
18, 2009, by a viva-voce vote.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: __________________
Date
__________________
Governor