81R28600 JNC-D
By: Eiland H.R. No. 1863
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Patricia Burns has earned the 16th annual Steel
Oleander Award, presented by the Galveston Historical Foundation to
an outstanding local woman whose community service reflects the
ideals and independent spirit of early citizen Bettie Brown; and
WHEREAS, A valued member of the foundation, Pat Burns has
served on the board of directors and as its president; thanks in
part to her leadership, the group purchased the Menard House, the
city's oldest residence, in an effort to stabilize the important
landmark and ultimately find a private buyer to restore it; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Burns was captivated by the potential of the
house, and in 1994 she and her husband, Fred, elected to buy the
legendary structure; after spending a year restoring it and
furnishing it with a museum-quality collection of federal period
antiques, the couple generously donated the house to the Galveston
Historical Foundation, which has used it as a museum, an event
venue, and a residence for visiting scholars and special guests;
and
WHEREAS, Thanks to her dedicated efforts, the Menard House
has earned wide acclaim, winning first place in the annual
preservation awards given by the National Trust for Historic
Preservation and a place on the National Register of Historic
Places; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Burns and her husband have also restored the
1856 Hutchings House, and they have purchased two additional
buildings that they plan to renovate; and
WHEREAS, Active in a number of worthwhile causes, Mrs. Burns
has been a member of The University of Texas Medical Branch
Development Board and served on the boards of the Methodist
Retirement Communities of Texas, the Moody Memorial First United
Methodist Church, and the Society for the Performing Arts in
Houston; she has also been president of the boards of the Edgewater
Retirement Community of Galveston and of the Grand 1894 Opera
House; along with her husband, she is a past cochair of the National
Trust Council in Washington, D.C.; and
WHEREAS, Pat Burns has helped ensure that future generations
will have a tangible connection with the history of this great
state, and she is truly deserving of special recognition; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas
Legislature hereby congratulate Patricia Burns on receiving the
2009 Steel Oleander Award from the Galveston Historical Foundation
and commend her for her many contributions to her community, state,
and nation; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Mrs. Burns as an expression of high regard by the Texas
House of Representatives.