| 1 | 1 | | H.R. No. 2847 |
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| 3 | 3 | | |
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| 4 | 4 | | R E S O L U T I O N |
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| 5 | 5 | | WHEREAS, The Great Texas Balloon Race is being held from July |
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| 6 | 6 | | 10 to 12, 2009, in Longview; and |
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| 7 | 7 | | WHEREAS, This world-class event dates back to 1978, when a |
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| 8 | 8 | | hot air balloon pilot, Dr. Bill Bussey, advertised the opening of |
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| 9 | 9 | | the Longview Mall by draping a banner over his balloon, and he began |
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| 10 | 10 | | gaining support from local residents and business leaders for the |
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| 11 | 11 | | establishment of a balloon race; in 1980, Dr. Bussey helped create |
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| 12 | 12 | | the first-ever balloon glow, an evening attraction that showcased a |
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| 13 | 13 | | number of tethered balloons illuminated in a radiant display of |
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| 14 | 14 | | light, and from then on, these events became increasingly popular |
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| 15 | 15 | | and drew many new visitors to the city; and |
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| 16 | 16 | | WHEREAS, Affiliated with the North American Balloon |
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| 17 | 17 | | Association, the Great Texas Balloon Race attracts pilots from |
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| 18 | 18 | | across the United States and beyond to the East Texas Regional |
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| 19 | 19 | | Airport, where they vie for the Texas State Championship; it |
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| 20 | 20 | | features 80 sport and special-shaped hot air balloons engaged in |
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| 21 | 21 | | such competitions as the Controlled Navigational Trajectory Event, |
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| 22 | 22 | | or the "Key Grab," which is a crowd favorite; the weekend |
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| 23 | 23 | | festivities also include live concerts, arts and crafts, and |
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| 24 | 24 | | children's activities; and |
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| 25 | 25 | | WHEREAS, For more than three decades, the Great Texas Balloon |
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| 26 | 26 | | Race has remained a cherished tradition for many residents of the |
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| 27 | 27 | | Lone Star State, and it is indeed a pleasure to join the citizens of |
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| 28 | 28 | | Longview in celebrating this noteworthy occasion; now, therefore, |
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| 29 | 29 | | be it |
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| 30 | 30 | | RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas |
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| 31 | 31 | | Legislature hereby commemorate the 2009 Great Texas Balloon Race |
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| 32 | 32 | | and extend to its sponsors and attendees sincere best wishes for a |
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| 33 | 33 | | memorable and successful event; and, be it further |
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| 34 | 34 | | RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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| 35 | 35 | | prepared for the organizers of the Great Texas Balloon Race as an |
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| 36 | 36 | | expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. |
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| 37 | 37 | | Merritt |
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| 38 | 38 | | ______________________________ |
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| 39 | 39 | | Speaker of the House |
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| 40 | 40 | | I certify that H.R. No. 2847 was adopted by the House on June |
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| 41 | 41 | | 1, 2009, by a non-record vote. |
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| 42 | 42 | | ______________________________ |
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| 43 | 43 | | Chief Clerk of the House |
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