H.R. No. 659
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Over the course of his highly successful career in
country music, Tracy Byrd has demonstrated an enduring interest in
using his celebrity to help others, and he has been especially
generous in his efforts to benefit charitable causes in Southeast
Texas; and
WHEREAS, A native of the Beaumont area, Mr. Byrd got his
start as a performer in the city's music clubs, and his undeniable
talent led to a recording contract in 1992; hit singles and
best-selling albums soon followed, but even as his stature has
grown large in the Nashville music industry, he has maintained
close ties to the Texas communities where he was raised; and
WHEREAS, This caring musician continually sought ways to give
back to his fellow Texans, and in the late 1990s, he began staging
the annual Tracy Byrd Homecoming Weekend in Beaumont; this popular
event includes golf and fishing tournaments as well as a concert,
and it has raised more than $1 million to fund children's charities
in the area; among the projects underwritten by the proceeds was the
creation of a hyperbaric medicine and wound care center at
St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Beaumont, which has been named in honor
of Mr. Byrd; and
WHEREAS, In recent years, he has expanded the event to
include fellow southeast Texas singers Mark Chesnutt and Zona
Jones, creating a three-day fund-raiser known as the Beaumont Boys
Bash; in 2009, the bash will take place October 23 through 25 and
will benefit the Children's Miracle Network, Netcasters Youth
Ministries, the Garth House, the Boy Scouts, and the Southeast
Texas Humane Society; and
WHEREAS, Tracy Byrd has distinguished himself as a performer
and recording artist of great ability who is also dedicated to
assisting those in need, and his admirable work is greatly
appreciated by the residents of the Golden Triangle; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas
Legislature hereby honor Tracy Byrd for his ongoing charitable work
in Southeast Texas and extend to him sincere best wishes for success
in all of his endeavors; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Mr. Byrd as an expression of high regard by the Texas
House of Representatives.
Ritter
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 659 was adopted by the House on March
2, 2009, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House