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.