(a) Commemorative naming refers to the naming of a
property or some component of a property for an individual or civic
or charitable group in recognition of outstanding achievement, distinctive
service, or significant community contribution, generally without
financial consideration.
(b) The term "civic or charitable group" shall mean
a nonprofit entity, family or group that has made a substantial contribution
to the state or community, either through civic involvement, through
involvement in historic events relevant to a specific State Historic
Site, or through an in-kind donation to support a specific State Historic
Site. For-profit entities shall not be considered civic or charitable
groups for purposes of this section.
(c) Only non-historic features at State Historic Sites
may be named pursuant to these rules, such as new visitor centers,
meeting rooms, theaters, galleries, plazas, and other similar features
designed for public use.
(d) The Executive Director and the Deputy Executive
Director for Historic Sites shall have the authority to independently
review and recommend commemorative naming proposals to the Commission
for final approval.
(e) Any proposal for commemorative naming shall be
made in writing and shall include sufficient explanation to enable
the Commission to make a determination that the request is justified
and complies with this policy.
(f) In reaching its decision, the Commission shall
consider the proposed name, any contributions the individual or organization
has made to the state of Texas, whether or not the local community
supports the proposal, and, in the case of individuals, whether or
not the person's surviving family supports the proposal.
(g) Commemorative naming may not reference any person
not deceased for at least five years.
(h) Commemorative renaming of existing named facilities
is discouraged.
(i) The Commission shall have the authority to rescind
the naming of any property or component of any property if, in the
Commission's opinion, the individual, civic or charitable group is
found to have participated in any behavior which would have a negative
impact on the site or agency or would discredit the work of the agency
in any way.
|