SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 140 WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to recognize the Highland Village Lions Club on the occasion of the 30th annual Highland Village Balloon Festival and Fair, taking place August 18 through 20, 2017; and WHEREAS, Lions Club International is a highly respected organization of volunteers who seek to better their communities through local service projects; the Highland Village Lions Club is committed to serving area children by facilitating hearing and vision screenings at local preschools; and WHEREAS, The Highland Village Lions Club hosted the first balloon festival in 1987 with the help of the North Texas Ballooning Association; that event was a one-day celebration that included 18 balloons and about 2,000 guests; and WHEREAS, Over the years, the festival has grown to become the largest scheduled event in Denton County, with attendance of approximately 25,000 annually; proceeds from the festival enable the local Lions Club chapter to purchase state-of-the-art vision and hearing screening equipment capable of detecting early signs of sensory impairments; and WHEREAS, The Highland Village Lions Club is dedicated to upholding the international organization's mission of service, and the Highland Village Balloon Festival and Fair has benefited thousands of local children while helping to shape a more vibrant community; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 85th Legislature, 1st Called Session, hereby commend the Highland Village Lions Club and all who have contributed to the success of the Highland Village Balloon Festival and Fair and extend to them best wishes for a memorable 2017 event; and, be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for the club as an expression of esteem from the Texas Senate. Nelson ________________________________ President of the Senate I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on August 14, 2017. ________________________________ Secretary of the Senate ________________________________ Member, Texas Senate