HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 1-1 WHEREAS, The Texas Legislature is proud to recognize this 1-2 state's long history of involvement with cheerleading, that unique 1-3 mix of athleticism, spirit, and dance that has evolved from being a 1-4 sideline activity into a crowd-pleasing attraction in its own 1-5 right; and 1-6 WHEREAS, The National Cheerleaders Association was 1-7 established in Dallas in 1948 and is the oldest and most respected 1-8 organization of its kind in the country, and in keeping with its 1-9 philosophy of promoting cheerleading and dance as positive athletic 1-10 pursuits for young people, the group is sponsoring the first State 1-11 of Texas Cheerleading Championship, to be held in Austin in 1-12 December 1997; and 1-13 WHEREAS, This exciting event will enable more than 3,000 1-14 participants to test their skills by competing in 14 divisions, and 1-15 finalists will have the privilege of advancing to the National High 1-16 School Cheerleading and Dance Championship in Dallas; and 1-17 WHEREAS, The history of cheerleading dates back to the late 1-18 1800s, when male volunteers led spectators to root their college 1-19 teams to victory, and in 1898, University of Minnesota student, 1-20 Johnny Campbell, became one of the first formally designated yell 1-21 marshals in the country; and 1-22 WHEREAS, Cheerleading became a predominantly female activity 1-23 by the 1950s, when the pursuit's popularity had spread to the 1-24 elementary, junior high, and high school levels; its popularity has 2-1 continued to increase dramatically through the years, and it is 2-2 estimated that our country is now home to more than 600,000 2-3 cheerleaders; and 2-4 WHEREAS, The National Cheerleaders Association promotes the 2-5 highest qualities of the sport, holding instructional camps and 2-6 instituting high standards of safety; the organization currently 2-7 trains and administers events for more than 30,000 cheerleaders and 2-8 dancers in Texas, and it has trained more than 4 million 2-9 individuals worldwide; and 2-10 WHEREAS, Through the years, the association has done an 2-11 outstanding job of promoting this valuable discipline and its 2-12 decision to inaugurate the State of Texas Cheerleading Championship 2-13 is truly deserving of special recognition; now, therefore, be it 2-14 RESOLVED, That the 75th Legislature of the State of Texas 2-15 hereby designate the National Cheerleaders Association's State of 2-16 Texas Cheerleading Championship as the Official State Cheerleading 2-17 and Dance Championship of Texas and commend the group for the 2-18 outstanding service it continues to provide to young people of the 2-19 Lone Star State; and, be it further 2-20 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-21 prepared for the National Cheerleaders Association as an expression 2-22 of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives and Senate. Driver _______________________________ _______________________________ President of the Senate Speaker of the House I certify that H.C.R. No. 327 was adopted by the House on June 1, 1997, by a non-record vote. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House I certify that H.C.R. No. 327 was adopted by the Senate on June 1, 1997, by a viva-voce vote. _______________________________ Secretary of the Senate APPROVED: _____________________ Date _____________________ Governor