By Delisi                                            H.C.R. No. 117

         75R7370 JHS-D                           

                             HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

 1-1           WHEREAS, Dancing has long been a popular social activity for

 1-2     Texans, and the Texas two-step represents yet another of the Lone

 1-3     Star State's valued cultural contributions; and

 1-4           WHEREAS, From the dusty dance halls of long ago to today's

 1-5     urban honky-tonks and neon-lit nightclubs, this singular brand of

 1-6     dance has remained a constant in the lives of dancing Texans

 1-7     everywhere; like the 10-gallon hat, the longhorn steer, and the oil

 1-8     well, the Texas two-step has become a symbol of our great state for

 1-9     people across the country and throughout the world; and

1-10           WHEREAS, Whether two-steppers are "boot-scootin'" to the

1-11     traditional Texas swing of Bob Wills, the contemporary country

1-12     sounds of George Strait, or the latest Tejano rhythms, this

1-13     ubiquitous dance has been a staple for generations of Texans,

1-14     providing untold hours of entertainment for young and old alike;

1-15     and

1-16           WHEREAS, Few sights are as appealing as the skillful

1-17     choreography of a couple as they gracefully glide across the dance

1-18     floor against a backdrop of classic country and western or Tejano

1-19     music; deceptively simple footwork forms the foundation of this

1-20     dance, and couples build on this base with a distinctive array of

1-21     artful spins and turns that make each presentation unique; and

1-22           WHEREAS, Dancing plays a vital role in the lives of many

1-23     Texans, and as the popularity of the Texas two-step continues to

1-24     grow, it is important to recognize the profound impact and lasting

 2-1     effect of this distinctly Texan dance; now, therefore, be it

 2-2           RESOLVED, That the 75th Legislature of the State of Texas

 2-3     hereby designate the Texas two-step as the Official State Dance of

 2-4     Texas and recognize the historic and cultural importance of this

 2-5     dance form.