R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, On April 23, 1999, renowned musician Calvin Owens of 1-2 Houston will celebrate his 70th birthday, and this momentous 1-3 occasion is truly worthy of special recognition; and 1-4 WHEREAS, Mr. Owens grew up in Houston's Fifth Ward in a 1-5 neighborhood known as "Sawdust Alley," and he was inspired to take 1-6 up the trumpet by his mother's stories of the legendary Louis 1-7 Armstrong; and 1-8 WHEREAS, He worked the graveyard shift at a bowling alley to 1-9 save enough money to buy his first trumpet, and for many years was 1-10 a fixture in the Houston music scene, as well as a performer in a 1-11 vaudeville review, before joining B. B. King in 1953; and 1-12 WHEREAS, Through two tenures as the leader of B. B. King's 1-13 band and a solo career that features such unique and soulful works 1-14 as "True Blue," Mr. Owens has earned a singular place in the annals 1-15 of blues and jazz and is affectionately known by many as "Maestro"; 1-16 and 1-17 WHEREAS, Renowned across the globe for his phenomenal talent, 1-18 he has conducted the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in London, 1-19 recorded six original compositions for Belgian radio and 1-20 television, arranged musical numbers for Johnny Carson's "Tonight 1-21 Show," "The Merv Griffin Show," and the "Jack Jones Show," and 1-22 performed on "Austin City Limits"; and 1-23 WHEREAS, The "Maestro" recently added yet another memorable 1-24 chapter to his legacy of musical excellence with the release of his 2-1 new album Another Concept; and 2-2 WHEREAS, Calvin Owens has brought joy and beauty into the 2-3 lives of countless jazz and blues lovers, and as he celebrates his 2-4 70th birthday, it is indeed appropriate that he be honored for his 2-5 many achievements; now, therefore, be it 2-6 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 76th Texas 2-7 Legislature hereby congratulate Calvin Owens on the joyous occasion 2-8 of his 70th birthday and extend to him sincere best wishes for 2-9 continued success and happiness; and, be it further 2-10 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-11 prepared for Mr. Owens as an expression of high regard by the Texas 2-12 House of Representatives. Dutton _______________________________ Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 674 was adopted by the House on April 19, 1999, by a non-record vote. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House