H.R. No. 2413
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Twelve members of the Prairie View A&M University
Marching Storm band have been selected to perform with the 369th
Experience World War I Centennial Band; and
WHEREAS, The 369th Infantry Regiment was a legendary
all-black unit that gained renown during World War I; originally
known as the 15th New York National Guard Regiment, it was called to
active duty in July 1917 and deployed to Europe six months later;
assigned in April 1918 to the French Army, the regiment
subsequently served 191 days in the trenches, earning the name the
"Harlem Hellfighters" for the courage and tenacity demonstrated by
its members in combat and becoming one of the most decorated
American units of the Great War; and
WHEREAS, James Reese Europe, a celebrated ragtime and jazz
musician, served as an officer in the 369th, and he organized its
regimental band, recruiting musicians both at home in the States
and in Puerto Rico; in addition to playing for the troops, the band
performed extensively for the public and was one of the first
ensembles to introduce jazz to European audiences; it also made a
number of influential recordings for the French record label Pathé,
and following the war, it toured major cities in the United States;
and
WHEREAS, The 369th Experience World War I Centennial Band is
one of a number of projects endorsed by this country's World War I
Centennial Commission; led by Dr. Isrea Butler of the University of
Maryland Eastern Shore with the assistance of executive producer
Dr. Stephany B. Neal, the band is bringing together talented young
musicians from across the nation to re-create the unique sound of
Lieutenant Europe's famed group; following an initial performance
in New York during the International Historic Brass Symposium in
July 2017, the 369th Experience will perform over the next two years
at venues throughout the United States and Europe; and
WHEREAS, The members of the PVAMU Marching Storm who have
been selected for the 369th Experience band are tuba players
Dominique Burton, Isaac Dodoo, and Jacob Paul Tatum, trombonist
Stanico Knowles, trumpeters David Burrows, David Otinwa, Craignal
Wright, and Aaron Cossé, tenor saxophonist Jarrod Henry, euphonium
player Josue Canizales, and saxophonists Christopher Quiroz and
Shawn Smith; and
WHEREAS, This commemorative undertaking both highlights the
honored place that the 369th holds in the annals of World War I and
celebrates the significant contribution that its regimental band
made to the history of jazz, and these exceptional musicians from
Prairie View A&M may indeed take pride in joining this prestigious
endeavor; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas
Legislature hereby congratulate the members of the Prairie View A&M
University Marching Storm who have been selected to the 369th
Experience World War I Centennial Band and extend to them sincere
best wishes for continued success in all their endeavors; and, be it
further
RESOLVED, That official copies of this resolution be prepared
for the band members as an expression of high regard by the Texas
House of Representatives.
White
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 2413 was adopted by the House on May
28, 2017, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House