HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 1-1 WHEREAS, The year 1999 marks the 20th anniversary celebration 1-2 of the Southwestern Bell Plano Balloon Festival, and this festive 1-3 occasion has long been a popular attraction for residents and 1-4 visitors alike; and 1-5 WHEREAS, The three-day extravaganza begins on September 17, 1-6 1999, and features twice-daily launchings of colorful hot air 1-7 balloons, as well as a wide variety of other fun-filled activities; 1-8 attracting more than 250,000 spectators, the festival also has a 1-9 significant economic impact on the Plano area; and 1-10 WHEREAS, The 100 hot air balloons are, of course, the 1-11 festival's main attraction, created in many diverse shapes and 1-12 featuring such unique balloons as the Uniroyal Tire, Big Foot, 1-13 Something Fishy, Sky Frank, Tony the Tiger, Hagar the Horrible, 1-14 Mrs. Butterworth's syrup bottle, and Rubber Duckie, all soaring 1-15 majestically through the skies over Plano; and 1-16 WHEREAS, The Festival Market, a unique arts, crafts, and gift 1-17 show, is another of the event's enticing attractions; organized by 1-18 the Volunteer Center of Collin County, the market will take place 1-19 in the Collin County Community College facility located directly 1-20 across from the launch field; and 1-21 WHEREAS, In addition to providing a delectable selection of 1-22 food served by local nonprofit organizations and small independent 1-23 businesses, the festival offers other entertaining diversions, 1-24 including activities for kids, local performing groups, and the 2-1 thrilling RE/MAX skydivers; and 2-2 WHEREAS, This year's Southwestern Bell Plano Balloon Festival 2-3 promises to provide countless hours of enjoyment for all those in 2-4 attendance, and it is indeed fitting that this spectacular event be 2-5 recognized at this time; now, therefore, be it 2-6 RESOLVED, That the 76th Legislature of the State of Texas 2-7 hereby commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Southwestern Bell 2-8 Plano Balloon Festival and officially designate Plano as the Hot 2-9 Air Balloon Capital of Texas. Madden McCall _______________________________ _______________________________ President of the Senate Speaker of the House I certify that H.C.R. No. 181 was adopted by the House on May 8, 1999, by a non-record vote. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House I certify that H.C.R. No. 181 was adopted by the Senate on May 26, 1999, by a viva-voce vote. _______________________________ Secretary of the Senate APPROVED: _____________________ Date _____________________ Governor