Bill Text: TX HR1811 | 2013-2014 | 83rd Legislature | Enrolled
Bill Title: Congratulating El Paso artist and author Bill "Rak" Rakocy on his 89th birthday.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2013-05-09 - Reported enrolled [HR1811 Detail]
Download: Texas-2013-HR1811-Enrolled.html
| H.R. No. 1811 | ||
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| WHEREAS, Artist and author Bill Rakocy of El Paso celebrated | ||
| his 89th birthday on April 14, 2013, and a host of his friends and | ||
| admirers gathered to honor this accomplished man; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Born in Youngstown, Ohio, in 1924, "Rak" Rakocy | ||
| demonstrated his gift for drawing at an early age and went on to | ||
| enroll at the Butler Institute of American Art, where tuition was 50 | ||
| cents per class; he continued pursuing his art as a member of the | ||
| U.S. Navy in the Philip | ||
| pines during World War II, painting | ||
| portraits of his friends and shipping them home; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Mr. Rakocy subsequently earned both his bachelor's | ||
| and master's degrees in fine arts at the Kansas City Art Institute; | ||
| while there, he met Gloria Canterbury, also a talented artist, who | ||
| has been his wife and companion for more than six decades; together, | ||
| they are the parents of five children; and | ||
| WHEREAS, The couple lived in Ohio for 15 years before | ||
| Mr. Rakocy accepted a position as chair of the fine arts program at | ||
| the College of Artesia in New Mexico; in 1970, he was hired as | ||
| curator of education and curator of collections at the El Paso | ||
| Museum of Art, and he remained in those roles until his retirement | ||
| in 1986; and | ||
| WHEREAS, For many years, Mr. Rakocy has explored his | ||
| fascination with the American Southwest in paintings and murals | ||
| distinguished by a vivid, impressionistic style, depicting | ||
| landscapes, industrial scenes, and episodes from history; in | ||
| addition, he has authored a number of books on Southwestern | ||
| history, including The Kid: Billy the Kid, Images: Paso del Norte, | ||
| and Trails to Ruidoso; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Mr. Rakocy has likewise been a pillar of the El Paso | ||
| arts community through his work with the International Museum of | ||
| Art, the El Paso Art Association, and the Plein Air Painters of El | ||
| Paso; moreover, he founded the Rio Bravo Watercolorists in 1971 and | ||
| twice served as its president; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Now on the threshold of his 90th year, Bill Rakocy | ||
| continues to inspire and delight others with his distinctive talent | ||
| and drive, and it is a pleasure to recognize him for 89 years of life | ||
| well lived; now, therefore, be it | ||
| RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas | ||
| Legislature hereby congratulate Bill "Rak" Rakocy on his 89th | ||
| birthday and extend to him sincere best wishes for continued | ||
| happiness; and, be it further | ||
| RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be | ||
| prepared for Mr. Rakocy as an expression of high regard by the Texas | ||
| House of Representatives. | ||
| Marquez | ||
| ______________________________ | ||
| Speaker of the House | ||
| I certify that H.R. No. 1811 was adopted by the House on May | ||
| 8, 2013, by a non-record vote. | ||
| ______________________________ | ||
| Chief Clerk of the House | ||
