Austin (Tex.). Austin Sesquicentennial Commission

The Austin Sesquicentennial Commission was created by the Austin City Council in 1983 to plan, promote, and implement the City of Austin's celebrations of Texas's 150th birthday in 1986. The Commission was a separate organization from the statewide Texas Sesquicentennial Commission, which supported the Sesquicentennial Commissions of cities and counties throughout Texas, via planning support and a conference held in December 1985. Dr. D. Wylie Jordan, MD, an Austin psychiatrist and Texas history enthusiast, lobbied for the creation of the Austin Sesquicentennial Commission in 1982.

The primary functions of the Commission were to encourage community involvement in Sesquicentennial activities, celebrate the history and heritage of Austin, and raise funds to support both Sesquicentennial celebration events and projects of lasting value to the city. The Commission incorporated as a non-profit organization, the Austin Sesquicentennial Program of Austin TX, Inc., on September 22, 1983, in order to accept and distribute charitable funds to finance the events sponsored and developed by the Commission. A twelve-member board appointed by the City Council helmed the Commission. Dr. Jordan served as President of the Commission and the Corporation for the entirety of their existence.

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