By Dutton H.R. No. 515 76R10150 JBR-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The Texas House of Representatives is proud to honor 1-2 the Kashmere Senior High School Band and its director, William 1-3 Portis, on their receipt of an Outstanding Texan Award from the 1-4 Texas Legislative Black Caucus; and 1-5 WHEREAS, The group is renowned throughout Houston for its 1-6 exceptional performances as well as its school spirit and pride; 1-7 the band consists of three ensembles: the "Thunder Soul" Marching 1-8 Band, the Concert Band, and the Jazz Band Ensemble, each of which 1-9 features many outstanding student musicians; and 1-10 WHEREAS, Of the accolades received by the Kashmere Senior 1-11 High School Band, several command attention, including a Division I 1-12 rating at the Houston Independent School District Marching 1-13 Festival, a Division I rating and first place award at the Coastal 1-14 Bend Jazz Festival in Corpus Christi, and recognition as an 1-15 Outstanding Performing Group at the 1996 Metropolitan High School 1-16 Battle of the Bands; and 1-17 WHEREAS, Members of this notable band have performed for 1-18 President George Bush at a black tie gala, and they have also 1-19 entertained President William Jefferson Clinton during a visit he 1-20 made to Houston; and 1-21 WHEREAS, Without the hard work and creative influence of 1-22 Mr. Portis, who is widely known on the music scene as Sir William 1-23 Portis, the Kashmere Senior High School Band may not have achieved 1-24 its current level of success; his expertise and vision have led to 2-1 Kashmere becoming a Magnet School of Music and Fine Arts, a notable 2-2 achievement that has benefited students and community members 2-3 alike; and 2-4 WHEREAS, The Kashmere Senior High School Band is truly an 2-5 exemplary organization, and the participants and director deserve 2-6 to be honored for the enjoyment they bring to citizens throughout 2-7 the greater Houston area; now, therefore, be it 2-8 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 76th Texas 2-9 Legislature hereby congratulate William Portis and the members of 2-10 the Kashmere Senior High School Band on their receipt of an 2-11 Outstanding Texan Award from the Texas Legislative Black Caucus; 2-12 and, be it further 2-13 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-14 prepared for Mr. Portis and the Kashmere Senior High School Band as 2-15 an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives.