H.R. No. 118 R E S O L U T I O N WHEREAS, The Arlington Independence Day Parade is the oldest and longest-running citywide event in the community, and over the years, it has become a highly anticipated local tradition; and WHEREAS, Started by Dottie Lynn and Church Women United in 1965, the first parade was a charming, homespun affair featuring children on bicycles decorated with red, white, and blue, riding through Randol Mill Park; and WHEREAS, In the decades since, the event has grown into a grand, two-mile parade that winds through Arlington's downtown as well as the College Park District at The University of Texas at Arlington; the parade's more than 150 entries include homemade and professionally built floats created by businesses, nonprofit organizations, churches, and youth groups, accompanied by the stirring rhythm of marching bands from the city's high schools; and WHEREAS, The parade is organized by the Arlington 4th of July Association, and it benefits from the generosity of its sponsors; drawing some 75,000 spectators, the event has featured many notable local celebrities as grand marshal, and each year, the parade is dedicated to a different area organization or group, such as UTA alumni, the Boy Scouts, the Red Cross, and the men and women of our country's armed forces; and WHEREAS, For more than a half century, the Arlington Independence Day Parade has provided a festive opportunity for area residents to express their patriotism and celebrate our nation's founding in the company of their fellow citizens; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas Legislature, 3rd Called Session, hereby recognize the annual Arlington Independence Day Parade and extend to all those associated with the event sincere best wishes for the future. Turner of Tarrant ______________________________ Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 118 was adopted by the House on October 14, 2021, by a non-record vote. ______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House