By Swinford                                            H.R. No. 609
       74R10677 KMP-D
                                  R E S O L U T I O N
    1-1        WHEREAS, April 20, 1995, will mark the 75th anniversary of
    1-2  the Panhandle Professional Writers, the oldest writing group of its
    1-3  kind in the country, and to the members and admirers of this
    1-4  outstanding organization this promises to be a joyous and truly
    1-5  memorable occasion; and
    1-6        WHEREAS, Initially known as the Panhandle Pen Women, this
    1-7  exceptional association was founded April 20, 1920, by Laura V.
    1-8  Hamner and five other women interested in forming a study club that
    1-9  would enable writers to hone their craft and to receive
   1-10  constructive feedback from their peers; and
   1-11        WHEREAS, The driving force behind this unique group, Miss
   1-12  Hamner was a greatly respected teacher, poet, author, and historian
   1-13  who dedicated more than 50 years of her life to inspiring and
   1-14  nurturing Panhandle women in their quest to become better writers
   1-15  and to sell their work; and
   1-16        WHEREAS, Renowned for the seriousness with which its members
   1-17  approached their work, the Panhandle Pen Women required its members
   1-18  to write at least 30,000 words each year and associate members to
   1-19  write at least 15,000 words each year; this dedication and
   1-20  discipline paid off handsomely, and few authors joined the group
   1-21  without eventually selling some of their writings; and
   1-22        WHEREAS, Today known as Panhandle Professional Writers, this
   1-23  fine association has served as a model over the decades for many
   1-24  other writing groups throughout the State of Texas, such as the
    2-1  "Blue Pencil" society; organizations in Borger, Miami, Pampa,
    2-2  Shamrock, and other communities have also been patterned after the
    2-3  association; and
    2-4        WHEREAS, Panhandle Professional Writers and other authors'
    2-5  groups gather each August at the Frontiers in Writing conference to
    2-6  hear outstanding novelists, poets, essayists, editors, and agents
    2-7  discuss the creative process and the state of the publishing
    2-8  industry; an opportunity for prominent regional writers to gather
    2-9  with their peers from around the country, this exceptional
   2-10  conference also includes speeches and panel discussions featuring
   2-11  writers and editors of national renown; and
   2-12        WHEREAS, More than 500 area scribes have joined the Panhandle
   2-13  Professional Writers since its creation 75 years ago, and many of
   2-14  these artists have become well known in the writing profession,
   2-15  including Jodi "Thomas" Koumalats, a nationally known historical
   2-16  romance writer, Pauline Robertson, an eminent poet and writer of
   2-17  Panhandle histories, and Doris Meredith, a mystery writer and
   2-18  historical novelist; other esteemed writers include Redbook award
   2-19  winner Loula Grace Erdman and founder Laura Hamner, whose novel
   2-20  about Charles Goodnight, The No Gun Man of Texas, is widely
   2-21  recognized as a classic and has been adopted as a school textbook;
   2-22  and 
   2-23        WHEREAS, Although members of the Panhandle Professional
   2-24  Writers are no longer expected to meet writing quotas, they are
   2-25  still expected to put words to paper, either by pen or by word
   2-26  processor; those who have sold two or more articles or poems are
   2-27  eligible for full membership, while beginning writers who actively
    3-1  practice their craft are allowed to join as associate members; and
    3-2        WHEREAS, The distinguished artists who belong to Panhandle
    3-3  Professional Writers look to each other for support and
    3-4  encouragement, as well as for writing tips and marketing knowledge;
    3-5  during the past 75 years, this exemplary group has made many
    3-6  invaluable contributions toward the development of Lone Star
    3-7  literature, and it is indeed fitting at this time that it be
    3-8  recognized as a cultural institution of great import; now,
    3-9  therefore, be it
   3-10        RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas
   3-11  Legislature hereby congratulate the Panhandle Professional Writers
   3-12  organization on the occasion of its 75th anniversary and extend to
   3-13  its members warmest best wishes for happiness and success in their
   3-14  future endeavors; and, be it further
   3-15        RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
   3-16  prepared for the Panhandle Professional Writers as an expression of
   3-17  highest regard by the Texas House of Representatives.