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| 3 | 4 | | |
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| 4 | 5 | | R E S O L U T I O N |
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| 5 | 6 | | WHEREAS, Pat Molak and Mary Jane Nalley are celebrating four |
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| 6 | 7 | | decades of ownership of historic Gruene Hall in May 2015, and this |
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| 7 | 8 | | milestone presents a welcome opportunity to recognize that beloved |
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| 8 | 9 | | institution; and |
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| 9 | 10 | | WHEREAS, The long and illustrious history of Gruene Hall |
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| 10 | 11 | | began in 1878, when its founder, Henry D. Gruene, first opened the |
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| 11 | 12 | | establishment; the 6,000-square-foot hall quickly became popular |
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| 12 | 13 | | with local residents, who gathered at the hall for weekly dances and |
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| 13 | 14 | | a range of community events; and |
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| 14 | 15 | | WHEREAS, Gruene Hall was added to the National Register of |
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| 15 | 16 | | Historic Places in 1975, and soon thereafter, Pat Molak and Mary |
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| 16 | 17 | | Jane Nalley bought it and several surrounding buildings in hopes of |
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| 17 | 18 | | revitalizing the town; over the decades, the proprietors have |
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| 18 | 19 | | transformed the hall into a world-class music venue by featuring a |
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| 19 | 20 | | broad spectrum of up-and-coming and established musical acts, |
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| 20 | 21 | | including George Strait, Lyle Lovett, Little Richard, Merle |
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| 21 | 22 | | Haggard, Garth Brooks, Willie Nelson, the Dixie Chicks, and Doug |
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| 22 | 23 | | Miller and the Rhythm Ryders; and |
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| 23 | 24 | | WHEREAS, Today, Gruene Hall is one of the oldest continuously |
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| 24 | 25 | | operating dance halls in the state, and it is a popular destination |
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| 25 | 26 | | for local residents as well as visitors from around the globe; |
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| 26 | 27 | | illuminated by the neon glow of vintage advertising signs, |
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| 27 | 28 | | photographs of the hundreds of prominent country artists who have |
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| 28 | 29 | | graced the stage adorn the walls, chronicling the venue's rich |
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| 29 | 30 | | legacy; nearly every night of the year, live bands take the stage, |
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| 30 | 31 | | furthering a proud heritage that has spanned nearly 140 years; and |
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| 31 | 32 | | WHEREAS, Steeped in tradition, yet as lively and fun as ever, |
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| 32 | 33 | | Gruene Hall is one of the Lone Star State's most cherished musical |
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| 33 | 34 | | treasures, and it is indeed a pleasure to recognize its owners for |
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| 34 | 35 | | their significant contributions to the cultural vitality of Texas; |
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| 35 | 36 | | now, therefore, be it |
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| 36 | 37 | | RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas |
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| 37 | 38 | | Legislature hereby congratulate Pat Molak and Mary Jane Nalley on |
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| 38 | 39 | | their 40th anniversary as owners of Gruene Hall and extend to them |
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| 39 | 40 | | sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it further |
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| 40 | 41 | | RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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| 41 | 42 | | prepared for Mr. Molak and Ms. Nalley as an expression of high |
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| 42 | 43 | | regard by the Texas House of Representatives. |
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