84R13126 BPG-D
By: Metcalf H.R. No. 1001
R E S O L U T I O N
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.