84R19211 JNC-D
By: Thompson of Harris H.C.R. No. 75
Substitute the following for H.C.R. No. 75:
By: Larson C.S.H.C.R. No. 75
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Texas musicians have made enormous contributions to
American culture, and the state would realize significant benefits
through the establishment of a major museum to celebrate the
richness and diversity of the music created by its sons and
daughters; and
WHEREAS, Around the world, music fans recognize the Lone Star
State as the birthplace of such giants as Van Cliburn, Bob Wills,
Buddy Holly, Roy Orbison, Willie Nelson, Janis Joplin, Stevie Ray
Vaughan, Beyoncé, George Strait, Ornette Coleman, and the members
of ZZ Top; a state museum would attract a host of visitors eager to
learn more about these legends, and it would provide an opportunity
to raise awareness of the important role Texas has played in the
evolution of a wide array of genres, including folk, blues,
country, rock 'n' roll, gospel, Tejano, jazz, R&B, and hip-hop; in
addition, it would introduce young Texans to seminal figures in the
evolution of American music, among them Scott Joplin, Sippie
Wallace, Lightnin' Hopkins, Dale Evans, George Jones, Lefty
Frizzell, Lydia Mendoza, Flaco Jiménez, Selena Quintanilla Perez,
and many others; and
WHEREAS, Austin's status as the state's capital and its
reputation as "the Live Music Capital of the World" make the city an
obvious choice for the site of such a museum; moreover, Central
Texas has long been identified with musicology, not only through
the pioneering work of internationally known folklorists John and
Alan Lomax, but also through programs of The University of Texas at
Austin, Texas State University, the Texas Historical Commission,
and the Bullock Texas State History Museum; and
WHEREAS, Indeed, the Bullock Museum would be an ideal home
for a music museum, given its mission to engage a broad public
audience in the unfolding story of the history, culture, and people
of Texas, as well as its strong record of incorporating the arts in
exhibitions and in such programming as the popular Music Under the
Star concert series; a new music museum within the Bullock Museum
could develop fruitful partnerships with other relevant
institutions and agencies, among them the Texas Music Office, the
Economic Development and Tourism Division of the Governor's Office,
the Austin Music Commission, the Texas Music Museum, the Texas
Music Hall of Fame, and museums devoted to specific genres; and
WHEREAS, The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland drives
more than $107 million in economic impact each year; in Nashville,
the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum has an annual economic
impact in excess of $30 million, with annual attendance of more than
564,000; and
WHEREAS, Establishing a music museum within the Bullock Texas
State History Museum would be a natural extension of that
institution's mission, and it would heighten appreciation for one
of the most important aspects of Texas culture while drawing
greater attention to a growing industry and spurring further
economic development; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 84th Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby encourage the State Preservation Board and the director of
the Bullock Texas State History Museum to establish a museum of
Texas music history and dedicate the third floor of the Bullock
Museum to this permanent and integral program; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the Texas Legislature encourage the State
Preservation Board and the director of the Bullock Texas State
History Museum to explore initiatives to generate revenue for the
project, such as the use of the facility for catered events; and, be
it further
RESOLVED, That the Texas Legislature encourage the State
Preservation Board and the director of the Bullock Texas State
History Museum, in order to expedite the establishment of a museum
of Texas music history and to benefit from the Texas Music Office's
experience, resources, and proven record of success, to assign
primary responsibility for developing and operating this museum to
the Texas Music Office; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the Texas Legislature encourage the Texas
Music Office to consider contracting with third parties to assist
in the development and operation of the museum of Texas music
history; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the Texas secretary of state forward official
copies of this resolution to the executive director of the State
Preservation Board and to the director of the Bullock Texas State
History Museum.